Scientific Writing, HRP 215Weekly Quiz

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. We studied the affects of the gene on signaling.

B. We studied the effects of the gene on signaling.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. We studied the affects of the gene on signaling.

B. We studied B. We studied the effectsthe effects of the gene on of the gene on signaling.signaling.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She commented on the clearly defined mutant traits.

B. She commented on the clearly-defined mutant traits.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She commented on the A. She commented on the clearly definedclearly defined mutant traits.mutant traits.

B. She commented on the clearly-defined mutant traits.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. I like books, chocolate, and coffee.B. I like books, chocolate and coffee.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. I like books, chocolateA. I like books, chocolate,, and coffee. and coffee.B. I like books, chocolate and coffee.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was self-employed.B. She was self employed.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was A. She was self-employedself-employed..B. She was self employed.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. 65 people were saved.B. Sixty-five people were saved.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. 65 people were saved.B. B. Sixty-fiveSixty-five people were saved. people were saved.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was the best-read scientist in the lab.B. She was the best read scientist in the lab.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was the best-read scientist in the lab.B. She was the B. She was the best readbest read scientist in the scientist in the

lab.lab.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. The previously-reported data were suspect.

B. The previously reported data were suspect.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. The previously-reported data were suspect.

B. The B. The previously reportedpreviously reported data were data were suspect.suspect.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. That was pre-SARS.B. That was pre SARS.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. That was A. That was pre-SARSpre-SARS..B. That was pre SARS.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. He cited the widely-believed fallacy.B. He cited the widely believed fallacy.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. He cited the widely-believed fallacy.B. He cited the B. He cited the widely believedwidely believed fallacy. fallacy.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was a well-known scientist.B. She was a well known scientist.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was a A. She was a well-knownwell-known scientist. scientist.B. She was a well known scientist.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was well-known.B. She was well known.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. She was well-known.B. She was B. She was well knownwell known..

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. He counted six pies.B. He counted 6 pies.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. He counted sixsix pies.B. B. He counted 6 pies.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. His favorite breakfasts were cinnamon oatmeal, French toast, and ham and eggs.

B. His favorite breakfasts were cinnamon oatmeal, French toast, ham, and eggs.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. His favorite breakfasts were cinnamon oatmeal, French toast, and ham and , and ham and eggs.eggs.

B. His favorite breakfasts were cinnamon oatmeal, French toast, ham, and eggs.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. Many of the clinic’s patients die from complications of diabetes.

B. Many of the clinic’s patients die of complications of diabetes.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

A. Many of the clinic’s patients die from complications of diabetes.

B. Many of the clinic’s patients B. Many of the clinic’s patients die ofdie of complications of diabetescomplications of diabetes

understanding mnemonic: die (as a result) of word pattern mnemonic: dIEIE OOf

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

Lecture Six: Overview of Scientific Manuscripts

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Scientific Manuscripts

Scientific Manuscripts (original research)

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Scientific Manuscripts

Scientific Manuscripts (original research)

1. Submission process

2. Components:TitleAuthorsAbstractIntroductionMaterials and MethodsResults (inc. figures and tables)DiscussionAcknowledgementsReferences

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Scientific Manuscripts: outline for classTitle

Authorship

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results (includes figures and tables)

Discussion

Acknowledgements

References

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Scientific Manuscripts: outline for classTitle**

Authorship**

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results (includes figures and tables)

Discussion

Acknowledgements**

References**

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Scientific Manuscripts

Submission process

1. Identify a journal for submission

2. Follow that journal’s style guidelines (online)

3. Submit your manuscript with a cover letter

• some require written signature from all authors

4. Possible outcomes: accepted, accepted pending revisions, rejected but re-submission possible, no resubmission possible

5. Revision and resubmission: re-submit with cover letter that addresses reviewers critiques point by point

6. Once accepted, author approves final proofs

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Resubmission Cover LetterDateEditorEditor’s AddressSubject: Revised Manuscript, MS#:  

Dear Dr. Editor,Enclosed are xx copies of the revised paper (changes are highlighted on one of the copies), “Title.” We appreciate your helpful comments and those of the reviewers.

Correspondence should be sent to: Corresponding Author’s: Address, Email, Phone, Fax

 We have made revisions based on the comments/suggestions of Reviewers I and II. The comments of each reviewer are numbered below, with our response (clarifications and changes) following.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Resubmission Cover Letter, Continued

Reviewer I:  1. There is little discussion of xxx

We agree with Reviewers I and II that the section on xxx was too abbreviated. Therefore, we have added a paragraph that highlights xxx (paragraph 33).

 2. Could you comment on xxWe have added a sentence to paragraph 9 in Methods/Materials that comments on xx...

Thank you again for your helpful comments. Please let us know if any other revisions are required.

  Regards,

Corresponding Author

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

Title

• Succinct• Specific• Informative

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Authorship

1. Who gets authorship?

Any author listed on the paper’s title page should take public responsibility for its content.

2. In what order? Order implies authors’ relative contributions Keep in mind: visibility often goes three deep. In some labs, the head of the lab or research team is automatically included on any paper

coming from the lab, as senior author, second author, or last-listed author For fairness, alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order may be used if researchers have

contributed equally. Large working groups may be cited as a group

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Authorship

Conflict of Interest. Most journals ask authors to disclose relevant conflicts of interest, including specific financial interests relevant to the subject of their manuscript, in their cover letter or on a specific form.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

Acknowledgements

• Funding sources• Contributors who did not get authorship (e.g. offered

materials, advice or consultation that was not significant enough to merit authorship).

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

References

• Use a computerized bibliographic program.• Follow journal guidelines (may request alphabetical listing

or order of appearance in the text).• Follow standard abbreviations (can be found online).• Some journals limit number of references allowed.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215

Besides research papers,

Other types of articles include:• The case report• The review article or meta-analysis• The opinion paper/editorial

Scientific Writing, HRP 215Top 5

Scientific Writing, HRP 215 A few more (pseudo) homonyms and commonly confused

words:

1a. ALLUDE v. ELUDE

allude: to reference indirectly She frequently alluded to her distrust of lawyers without explicitly

stating her opinion. He impressed the crowd with his allusions to Greek mythology.

(n.b.: versus “illusion”)

elude: to evade The stealthy cat-burglar eluded the police all winter. The elusive protein, which our team has been trying to characterize

for months, has baffled labs across the country.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215 1b. ASSURE v. ENSURE v. INSURE

assure: to promise, to state with confidence She assured the students that no one would fail the course.

ensure: to make certain Well-planned interventions can ensure better outcomes for

children with diabetes.

insure: to protect against loss, in legal/financial realms The post-docs could barely afford to insure their cars.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215 1c. ARRANT v. ERRANT

arrant: being notoriously without moderation; extreme We are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us. (Shakespeare)

errant: given to travelling; straying outside the proper path or bounds; moving aimlessly or irregularly; deviating from a standard; fallible

The errant toddler found his way into all sorts of mischief.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215 2. AMONG v. BETWEEN

Among: collective and undefined relations (three or more)

• You’re among friends.• Agreement was reached among all four neighbors.

Between: one-to-one relationships of pairs within a group or the sense “shared by.”

• Diplomatic relationships between the United States and France ceased.

• There is close friendship between the members of the club.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215 3. LAY v. LIE

Lay is a transitive verb (takes an object)forms: lay, laid, has laid, is laying

• The hen lays an egg. (laid, had laid, is laying)• “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.” (“To a Mouse,” Robert

Burns)

Lie is an intransitive verb (does not take an object)forms: lie, lay, has lain, is lying

• The llama lies down.

Q: What about “Now I lay me down to sleep”???

Scientific Writing, HRP 215 4. DISINTERESTED v. UNINTERESTED

Disinterested: impartial.Uninterested: not interested in.

• Let a disinterested person judge our dispute.• This man is obviously uninterested in our dispute.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215 5. e.g. v. i.e. (informal)

e.g. = “for example” • from Latin: exempli gratia = ‘for the sake of an

example’

Many animals (e.g., mountain lions, panthers, etc.) are quite good hunters.

i.e. = “in other words” • from Latin: id est = ‘that is’

That walking boot is synthetic (i.e., not leather or suede).

Scientific Writing, HRP 215For next week

Homework: Read chapter 1 of Successful Scientific

Writing (pp. 1-22)

3-unit students: Work on Introduction/Background.

Scientific Writing, HRP 215For next week

Next time…

Abstracts, Introductions, Discussions