Cover: Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, 7th Edition by Victoria E. McMillan

Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences

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Seventh  Edition©2021  Victoria E. McMillan

ISBN:9781319268480

ISBN:9781319268466

ISBN:9781319457495

About

An accessible and  reliable guide to writing in biology, for year one and beyond

Whether youre brand new to the field of biology or have a year or two of experience already, Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences provides detailed instruction on researching, drafting, revising, and documenting the most commonly assigned projects in biology courses. With updated coverage of research methods and new student examples from a wider variety of sub-disciplines in biology., the seventh edition is designed to support you through all of your biology writing assignments.

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Table of Contents


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

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.