Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences

Seventh Edition

Publication Date: February 16, 2021

Spiral-Bound ISBN: 9781319268466

Pages: 288

**Go Digital with this title’s e-book and Achieve for Writer’s Help-Hacker.

Compact, yet comprehensive guide to writing in biology**

Written by a professional biologist and experienced writing teacher, Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, is a comprehensive guide for students that provides detailed instruction on researching, drafting, revising, and documenting lab reports, research papers,...

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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

Concise, self-teaching guide to writing in biology. Modeled on a handbook format – with bulleted rules, checklists for formatting various scientific papers, and a spiral binding – Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences is a handy reference that new to advanced students can readily use on their own.

Comprehensive coverage of the most common writing assignments in undergraduate biology courses. Thorough chapters on writing and documenting research papers, lab reports, and reviews are illustrated with annotated student examples. Writing Papers covers each stage of the writing process, from researching and drafting to revising and preparing the final paper. Special attention is paid to student integrity and avoiding plagiarism.

Thorough coverage of other forms of biological writing, including guidelines for oral presentations, lecture slide and poster presentations, research proposals, letters of application, resumes, and cover letters.

A chapter on reading effectively and preparing for exams. Providing smart advice on getting the most out of textbooks and preparing for laboratory exams, the book also covers studying for short-answer and essay questions.

More student models that offer a diversity of annotated examples. Offering more in-text examples than competing texts, new examples from biological sub-disciplines - including cellular and molecular biology, animal ecology, microbiology, and plant physiology - ensure that the seventh edition remains accessible to freshmen and relevant to advancing students as they progress through their coursework.

New and updated "Tech Talk" tips throughout the text offer students support on how to use accessible tools to search databases, organize research, and provide documentation for their sources.

Revised and updated Chapter 1, Locating and Using Biological Literature, with new coverage of accessible tools for collaboration and organizing research materials.

“Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences guides students through the major genres of biology student writing. It includes helpful hints on finding and evaluating sources, recording and presenting data, and writing IMRAD lab reports and review papers in biology.”
-- David Dansereau, Saint Marys University

“This book provides a plethora of highly relevant information about how to disseminate research, which is an extremely important component of being a successful biologist. The book not only covers how to write a report for a science course, but also how to prepare PowerPoint presentations and posters, how to employ commonly used stats, and how to properly make tables and figures. In short, this is the most comprehensive book on the topic and a valuable resource for upcoming biologists. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is the ability to present a large amount of information in a manner that is easy to follow and understand.”
-- Matthew Lehnert, Kent State University at Stark

"Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences is an excellent handbook for the biology student. It can not only serve as a text for a biological writing course, but it can also be a reference for students throughout their years in a biology program. It covers not only the classical definition of "writing papers" but also other important items such as oral presentations (with and without PowerPoint), poster presentations and writing cover letters and resumes for prospective job seekers."
--Felicia Barbieri, Gwynedd Mercy University

Victoria E. McMillan

Victoria E. McMillan (PhD, Syracuse University) taught for 27 years in the interdisciplinary writing department, biology department, and women's studies program at Colgate University. A behavioral ecologist who has published a number of scholarly and popular articles on animal behavior, McMillan has focused her research on reproductive strategies in insects, dragonflies in particular. Now retired, she writes and lectures widely on insects, plants, and behavioral ecology.

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Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences

Seventh Edition

Publication Date: February 16, 2021

Spiral-Bound ISBN: 9781319268466

Pages: 288

**Go Digital with this title’s e-book and Achieve for Writer’s Help-Hacker.

Compact, yet comprehensive guide to writing in biology**