Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences / Edition 6

by Victoria E. McMillan

Overview

Writing in the Biological Sciences is a handy reference that new to advanced students can readily use on their own. A variety of student models prepare you for the most common writing assignments in undergraduate biology courses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781319047139
Publisher:	Bedford/St. Martin's
Publication date:	12/19/2016
Edition description:	Sixth Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Victoria E. McMillan (PhD, Syracuse University) teaches in the interdisciplinary writing department, the biology department, and the women's studies program at Colgate University. A behavioral ecologist who has published a number of scholarly and popular articles on animal behavior, McMillan is currently focusing her research activities on reproductive strategies in insects, dragonflies in particular.

Table of Contents

Introduction How and Why Biologists Write: An
Introduction to Biological Literature 

1 Locating and Using Biological Literature  
Searching the Literature 
Sample Database Search 
Using the Internet 
Reading Scientific Papers 
Avoiding Plagiarism and Taking Notes 
Working Collaboratively 
Tech Talk     
Keeping Up with the Literature

 
2 Handling Data and Using Statistics 
Getting Started 
Recording and Organizing Your Findings 
TECH TALK
Using Statistics to Analyze Your Data 
Additional Sources 

3 Using Tables and Figures  
Tables 
Figures 
Tech Talk     
Checklist for Tables and Figures 
Additional Sources 

4 Writing Lab Reports and Research Papers 
Title 
Abstract 
Introduction 
Materials and Methods 
Results 
Discussion 
Acknowledgments 
References 
Checklist for Lab Reports and Research Papers 
Additional Sources 
Sample Laboratory Report (Botany)
Sample Laboratory Report (Microbiology)
Sample Student Research Paper (Plant Physiology)
Sample Student Research Paper (Animal Ecology)

5 Writing a Review Paper 
Choosing a Topic 
Deciding on a Title 
Working with the Literature 
Presenting Your Material 
Tech Talk
Checklist for Review Papers 
Sample Review Paper (Human Physiology)

6 Documenting the Paper  
Citing Sources in the Text 
Preparing the References Section 
TECH TALK

7 Drafting and Revising  
The First Draft 
TECH TALK
Practical Suggestions for Revising 
Tech Talk     
Checking Content and Structure 
Improving Paragraphs 
Writing Clear, Accurate Sentences 
Avoiding Wordiness 
Verb Tense 
Punctuation 

8 Preparing the Final Draft 
Mechanics and Technicalities 
Tech Talk
Manuscript Format 
Writing an Acknowledgments Section 
Proofreading 

9 Using Writing to Prepare for Examinations  
Getting the Most Out of Textbooks 
Taking Good Lecture Notes 
Preparing for Laboratory Exams 
Studying for Short-Answer Questions 
Answering Essay Questions 
Additional Sources 

10 Other Forms of Biological Writing  
Oral Presentations 
TECH TALK
Checklist for Oral Presentations 
Sample PowerPoint Presentation (Plant Physiology) 
Poster Presentations 
Checklist for Poster Presentations 
Sample Poster Presentation (Animal Ecology) 
Research Proposals 
Sample Research Proposal (Plant Physiological Ecology) 
Letters of Application 
Sample Letter of Application 
Résumés 
Tech Talk     
Sample Résumé 
Sample Curriculum Vitae 
Additional Sources 

Works Cited in Text
Examples 
Index 
Symbols and
Abbreviations Used in Biology