How to Write and Publish a Scientifc Paper How to Write and Publish a Scientifc Paper Eighth Edition Barbara Gastel and Robert A. Day Copyright © 2016 by Barbara Gastel and Robert A. Day All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherw ise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging- in-P ublication Data Names: Day, Robert A., 1924– author. | Gastel, Barbara, author. Title: How to write and publish a scientifc paper / Barbara Gastel and Robert A. Day. Description: Eighth edition. | Santa Barbara, California : Greenwood, [2016] | Authors’ names in reverse order on previous editions. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifers: LCCN 2015045511| ISBN 9781440842627 (hardcover : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781440842801 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781440842634 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Technical writing. Classifcation: LCC T11 .D33 2016 | DDC 808.06/65—dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015045511 ISBN: 978-1-4408-4262-7 (hardcover) ISBN: 978-1-4408-4280-1 (paperback) EISBN: 978-1-4408-4263-4 20 19 18 17 16 1 2 3 4 5 This book is also available on the World Wide Web as an eBook. Visit www. a bc- c lio. c om for details. Greenwood An Imprint of ABC-C LIO, LLC ABC-C LIO, LLC 130 Cremona Drive, P.O. Box 1911 Santa Barbara, California 93116-1911 This book is printed on acid-f ree paper Manufactured in the United States of Ameri c a Contents Preface xv A Word to International Readers xix Acknowle dgments xxi PART I: SOME PRELIMINARIES 1 What Is Scientifc Writing? 3 The Scope of Scientifc Writing 3 The Need for Clarity 3 Receiving the Signals 4 Understanding the Signals 4 Understanding the Context 4 Organi zation and Language in Scientifc Writing 5 2 Historical Perspectives 6 The Early History 6 The Electronic Era 7 The IMRAD Story 8 3 Approaching a Writing Proj ect 11 Establishing the Mindset 11 Preparing to Write 12 v vi Contents D oing the Writing 14 Revising Your Work 16 4 What Is a Scientifc Paper? 18 Defnition of a Scientifc Paper 18 Organi zation of a Scientifc Paper 20 Shape of a Scientifc Paper 22 Other Defnitions 22 5 Ethics in Scientifc Publishing 24 Ethics as a Foundation 24 Authenticity and Accuracy 24 Originality 25 Credit 26 Ethical Treatment of Humans and Animals 27 Disclosure of Conficts of Interest 28 6 Where to Submit Your Manuscript 29 Why Decide Early, Why Decide Well 29 Prestige and Impact 31 Access 34 Avoiding Predatory Journals 34 Other Factors to Consider 35 Using Instructions to Authors 36 PART II: PREPARING THE TEXT 7 How to Prepare the Title 41 Importance of the Title 41 Length of the Title 42 Need for Specifc Titles 42 Importance of Syntax 43 The Title as a Label 44 Abbreviations and Jargon 45 More About Title Format 45 8 How to List the Authors and Addresses 47 The Order of the Names 47 Defnition of Authorship 49 Contents vii Defning the Order: An Example 50 Specifying Contributions 51 Proper and Consistent Form 51 Listing the Addresses 52 A Solution: ORCID 53 Purposes of the Addresses 54 9 How to Prepare the Abstract 55 Defnition 55 Types of Abstracts 57 Economy of Words 59 Akin to Abstracts 60 10 How to Write the Introduction 61 Guidelines 61 Reasons for the Guidelines 62 Exceptions 63 Citations and Abbreviations 65 11 How to Write the Materials and Methods Section 66 Purpose of the Section 66 Materials 67 Methods 68 Headings 68 Meas urem ents and Analys is 68 Need for References 69 Tables and Figures 69 Correct Form and Grammar 70 12 How to Write the Results 72 Content of the Results 72 How to H andle Numbers 73 Strive for Clarity 73 Avoid Redundancy 74 A Supplement on Supplementary Material Online 74 13 How to Write the Discussion 75 Discussion and Verbiage 75 Components of the Discussion 76 Factual Relationships 76 viii Contents Noting Strengths and Limitations 77 Signifcance of the Paper 78 Defning Scientifc Truth 78 14 How to State the Acknowl edgments 80 Ingredients of the Acknowl edgments 80 Being Courteous 80 15 How to Cite the References 82 Rules to Follow 82 Electronic Aids to Citation 83 Citations in the Text 83 Reference Styles 84 Name and Year System 85 Alphabet-N umber System 85 Citation Order System 86 Titles and Inclusive Pages 87 Journal Abbreviations 87 Some Trends in Reference Format 88 Examples of Dif ere nt Reference Styles 88 Citing Electronic Material 89 One More Reason to Cite Carefully 89 PART III: PREPARING THE TABLES AND FIGURES 16 How to Design Efective Tables 93 When to Use Tables 93 How to Arrange Tabular Material 96 Exponents in T able Headings 99 Following the Journal’s Instructions 99 Titles, Footnotes, and Abbreviations 100 Additional Tips on Tables 100 17 How to Prepare Efective Graphs 101 When Not to Use Graphs 101 When to Use Graphs 103 How to Prepare Graphs 104 Symbols and Legends 106 A Few More Tips on Graphs 107 Contents ix 18 How to Prepare Efective Photographs 108 Photographs and Micrographs 108 Submission Formats 108 Cropping 109 Necessary Keys and Guides 109 Color 111 Line Drawings 113 PART IV: PUBLISHING THE PAPER 19 Rights and Permissions 117 What Is Copyright? 117 Copyright Considerations 118 Copyright and Electronic Publishing 119 20 How to Submit the Manuscript 121 Checking Your Manuscript 121 Submitting Your Manuscript 122 The Cover Letter 122 Sample Cover Letter 124 Electronic Cover Letters 125 Confrmation of Receipt 125 21 The Review Proc ess (How to Deal with Editors) 126 Functions of Editors, Managing Editors, and Manuscript Editors 126 The Review Proc ess 128 The Editor’s Decision 132 The Accept Letter 133 The Modify Letter 133 The Reject Letter 136 Editors as Gatekeepers 138 22 The Publishing Proc ess (How to Deal with Proofs)— and A fter Publication 140 The Copyediting and Proofng Proc esses 140 Why Proofs Are Sent to Authors 141 Misspelled Words 141 Marking the Corrections 143 x Contents Additions to the Proofs 143 Addition of References 145 Proofng the Illustrations 145 When to Complain 146 Reprints 146 Publicizing and Archiving Your Paper 147 Celebrating Publication 149 PART V: D OING OTHER WRITING FOR PUBLICATION 23 How to Write a Review Paper 153 Characteristics of a Review Paper 153 Preparing an Outline 154 Types of Reviews 155 Writing for the Audience 156 Importance of Introductory Paragraphs 157 Importance of Conclusions 157 24 How to Write Opinion (Letters to the Editor, Editorials, and Book Reviews) 158 Writing Informed Opinion 158 Letters to the Editor 158 Editorials 159 Book (and Other Media) Reviews 160 25 How to Write a Book Chapter or a Book 162 How to Write a Book Chapter 162 Why (or Why Not) to Write a Book 163 How to Find a Publisher 163 How to Prepare a Book Manuscript 165 How to Participate in the Publication Pro cess 166 How to Help Market Your Book 168 26 How to Write for the Public 170 Why Write for General Readerships? 170 Finding Publication Venues 170 Engaging the Audience 172 Conveying Content Clearly 173 Emulating the Best 174