The goal of this book is to make it easier for scientists, especially those new to scientific writing, to write about their results and to get their manuscripts accepted in peer-reviewed journals. The book covers each step throughout the submission process, from organizing and outlining the manuscript, presenting statistical data and results, to what happens during the in-house manuscript review process and what to do if an article is initially rejected. In addition to providing practical exercises on these topics, the book focuses on helping writers distil their research into concise take-home messages for readers, in order to convey information as clearly as possible to the target audience.
Table of Contents:
Preface vii Acknowledgments ix
PART I Preliminary Considerations 1
Chapter 1 The Importance of and Need for Publishing 3
Chapter 2 Steps in Manuscript Preparation and Getting Started 11
Chapter 3 Ethical Issues in Publishing 25
Chapter 4 Choosing Your Coauthors 39
Chapter 5 Choosing Your Journal 51
Chapter 6 Principles and Characteristics of Good Scientific Writing 63
PART II Development of the Manuscript 73
Chapter 7 Developing the Take-home Messages and a Provisional Title 75
Chapter 8 Organizing and Outlining Your Manuscript 89
Chapter 9 Results I: Overview 113
Chapter 10 Results II: Presentation 121
Chapter 11 Results III: Options for Presenting Results 133
Chapter 12 Results IV: Guidelines for Preparing Written Text of Results 151
Chapter 13 Revising and Editing 155
Chapter 14 References 175
Chapter 15 Materials and Methods 197
Chapter 16 Introduction: Rationale, Review of Literature, and Statements of Objectives209
Chapter 17 Discussion 223
Chapter 18 Abstract 229
Chapter 19 Title, By-line, Keywords, and Authorship Footnote Items 243
Chapter 20 Polishing Your Manuscript with Good Word Usage 259
PART III Review, Submission, and Postsubmission Issues 277
Chapter 21 In-house Manuscript Review Process 279
Chapter 22 Cover Letter and Submission Form Preparation 293
Chapter 23 Final Checklist and Initial Manuscript Submission 303
Chapter 24 The Peer-Review Process of Your Initial Submission 309
Chapter 25 Response-letter Preparation and Manuscript Resubmission 315
Chapter 26 Proofs, Proofreading, and the Final Steps in the Publication Process 325
Index 347
