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Scientific Paper Writing - A Survival Guide
"Fear not, young PhD student, Bodil Holst’s Scientific paper a survival guide comes to the rescue." - Chemistry World "Book of the Month" review.
This book provides an entertaining, informative and easy to read guide for PhD students and others on how to write and publish a scientific paper.
The book is illustrated by Jorge Cham, creator of PhD Comics (www.phdcomics.com). The full Chemistry World review including a podcast about the book with a Nature Chemistry Editor can be found here
This book provides an entertaining, informative and easy to read guide for PhD students and others on how to write and publish a scientific paper.
The book is illustrated by Jorge Cham, creator of PhD Comics (www.phdcomics.com). The full Chemistry World review including a podcast about the book with a Nature Chemistry Editor can be found here
- GenresWritingNonfictionScience
190 pages, Paperback
Published December 30, 2015
15 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 21, 2017
This is a really informative book for someone just about to enter the scientific publishing world with only a patchy understanding of what they're stepping into. It gives a good background of how the system works, as well as advice on how to write and revise. It gives you a heads up on the woes that will hit you (referee comments, rejections, etc) and how best to handle them. Some things are more obvious than others, but in the panic of getting started, it's nice to see in black and white what to do.
The reason for not giving 5 stars is because I don't think it should be taken as a bible for good practice. I personally disagreed on a few minor points, such as whether you should use your full name or initials + last name. The author suggests that women (or men with feminine names from different languages) should use initials since somewhere in the editorial process, the work of women lead authors get valued less than their male counterparts, and there is a risk of getting your article pushed aside. As a reader, I found it to be fundamental to breaking stereotypes by seeing at a glance that the impressive article I was about to read came from a female author, and generally that women are really out there doing science.
There were a few other recommendations which are more aimed at getting published rather than maintaining 100% moral integrity (dropping big names for example) , but there is always a role for pragmatism when it comes to achieving your goals. This book would help any work get published, not just good work.
Less comics than I would have liked, but oh well.
The reason for not giving 5 stars is because I don't think it should be taken as a bible for good practice. I personally disagreed on a few minor points, such as whether you should use your full name or initials + last name. The author suggests that women (or men with feminine names from different languages) should use initials since somewhere in the editorial process, the work of women lead authors get valued less than their male counterparts, and there is a risk of getting your article pushed aside. As a reader, I found it to be fundamental to breaking stereotypes by seeing at a glance that the impressive article I was about to read came from a female author, and generally that women are really out there doing science.
There were a few other recommendations which are more aimed at getting published rather than maintaining 100% moral integrity (dropping big names for example) , but there is always a role for pragmatism when it comes to achieving your goals. This book would help any work get published, not just good work.
Less comics than I would have liked, but oh well.
July 6, 2022
Comprehensive and direct
The author has, in very direct language, walked one through years of experience in this book. Great use of examples throughout to make a point. Very well referenced to other sections of book.
This would be a good reason for a student starting out but also for those who didn't get much guidance in this regard early enough. Some parts of the book would apply strictly research oriented careers while writing structure guide would be more widely applicable to other forms of technic writing as well.
Lastly, the comic connection had originally caught my interest and they are fantastic as always.
The author has, in very direct language, walked one through years of experience in this book. Great use of examples throughout to make a point. Very well referenced to other sections of book.
This would be a good reason for a student starting out but also for those who didn't get much guidance in this regard early enough. Some parts of the book would apply strictly research oriented careers while writing structure guide would be more widely applicable to other forms of technic writing as well.
Lastly, the comic connection had originally caught my interest and they are fantastic as always.
December 9, 2021
Excelent advice
I am in the process of submitting papers in English, which is not my first language, to high quality journals in my area, and this book has provided me with quick, practical, and informed advice. I strongly recommend it to whoever is giving his or her first steps in the scientific publication environment. The author presents all the information in a funny way that is simultaneously very rigorous.
I am in the process of submitting papers in English, which is not my first language, to high quality journals in my area, and this book has provided me with quick, practical, and informed advice. I strongly recommend it to whoever is giving his or her first steps in the scientific publication environment. The author presents all the information in a funny way that is simultaneously very rigorous.
October 8, 2021
Must read.
Makes the academic paper writing process not boring, while providing valuable actionable tips.
Obviously, it's aimed at the complete beginner but even the advanced user could make use of a streamlined process on the academic publication process, and maybe get a new tip or two.
Makes the academic paper writing process not boring, while providing valuable actionable tips.
Obviously, it's aimed at the complete beginner but even the advanced user could make use of a streamlined process on the academic publication process, and maybe get a new tip or two.
August 21, 2022
A quickly understood guide on the best practices for starting writing and publishing processes for scientific manuscripts. A must-read for students and all people interested in this topic!
September 12, 2016
I won this book as part of a poster award in a conference organized by the author, although I've had an experience in writing and refereeing papers I still found this book helpful and insightful. The book is also a fun read, it's written in an easy, comic yet serious style, accompanied with PhD comics and hilarious anecdotes from the life of an experienced scientist.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews