Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences

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