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18 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Title: The Birth of Venus
Artist: Sandro Botticelli |
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Scientific Paper
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-communicates results of scientific inquiry
-present info so its easily retrieved -present enough info so reader can duplicate study -write paper as if it will be read by person who knows about field in general, but not what you actually did -read journal articles in field to become proficient in this language |
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Standard Format of Paper
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-title
-abstract (summary, want conclusions included) -introduction -methods -results -discussion |
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Title Section
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-limited & specific
-pithy (to-the-point) summary of exp's main focus |
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Introduction Section
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-describe question tested by exp. described in paper
-explain why it's interesting/important question -describe approach used in sufficient detail so all reading will know what was done (but not methods!) -briefly mention conclusion of paper -open w/ 2-3 sentences places study's subject in context |
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Materials & Methods Section
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-succinctly describe what was actually done
-include description of techniques used - someone could figure out what was actually done -details of published protocol don't need to be reproduced in text, but appropriate reference cited -describe any changes from protocol -not appropriate to indicate vol. of solutions added; only need relevant info |
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Results Section
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-statistical analysis (p-value)
-presents facts - what was found -detailed data: measurements, counts, %'s, patterns -findings usually appear in tables, figures, graphs -3 rules of thumb: 1. present results clearly & logically 2. avoid excess verbiage 3. consider providing 1-sent. summary at beg. of each paragraph -use table & figures effectively; don't let stand alone |
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Tables & Figures
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-all should be put into contextual framework in
corresponding text -table of strains used should be mentioned in materials & methods, table of results should be summarized in results, figure showing biosynthetic pathway described in discussion, etc. |
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Discussion Section
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-do not restate results - explain conclusions &
interpretations of results -how did results compare w/expected results -what further predictions can be made from results |
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Abstract Section
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-succinct (50-100 words) summary of entire paper
-describe question posed by paper -describe methods used to answer question: list parameters of study -describe results obtained & conclusions -should be able to determine major points of paper |
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Achieving Scientific Voice: Flow
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-readers interpret prose better if flows smoothly
-don't force reader to figure out your logic; clearly state the rational -easier on reader is you explicitly state logic behind any transitions from on idea to another |
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Achieving Scientific Voice: Abbreviations
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-use standard abbrev. instead of complete words
-define other abbrev. first time, then subsequently use after -as general rule, do not use an abbrev. unless term will be used at least 3 times -in general, abbrev. not written in plural form |
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Achieving Scientific Voice: Past, Present & Future Tense
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-results described in paper in past tense
-results from published papers in present tense -only exp. planned for future should be in future tense |
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Achieving Scientific Voice: Third person vs. First person
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-use sparingly
-most should be written in third person -better to say 'it is possible to'...then 'one could...' -using impersonal pronouns = noncommittal & dry -inanimate objects described in third person, not w/ possessive terms |
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Achieving Scientific Voice: Empty Phrases
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-avoid using phrases the don't contribute to
understanding -'the fact that'....delete -'in order to'...shorten to 'to' -title of a table of results does not need 'results of' -don't use more words than needed |
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Achieving Scientific Voice: Specify
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-several expressions modify same word, should be
arranged so it's explicit which word they modify -common to use pronoun such as 'it' or 'they' to refer to concept from previous sentence -ok as long as there's only one concept that 'it' or 'they' mean -better to repeat concept in subsequent sentences than to take chance of confusing reader -watch participles! |
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Achieving Scientific Voice
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-avoid double parentheses
-define terms and assumptions -be honest about limitations of knowledge or research -include all info reader needs to interpret data -key to all scientific discourse = reproducible -spellcheck & proofread |
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Achieving Scientific Voice: Citations
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-essential to credit published papers for work
mentioned in paper -variety of ways of citing references in text -in text citations should refer to reference list -references should be arranged first alphabetically then further sorted |