selected other topics in writing barbara gastel, md, mph texas a&m university...
TRANSCRIPT
Overview
• Literature searching
• Avoiding plagiarism; quoting and citing
• Copyrights and patents
• Pointers on writing style
• Preparing a curriculum vitae
• Asking for recommendation letters
• Writing for the public
Note
Some of these topics could be, and sometimes are, topics of entire courses.
I hope, however, to present some key points.
Purposes of Literature Searching
• To find information useful in your work– Research– Teaching– Service
• To see, and be able to show, how your work relates to that of others
• To identify potential publication sites
• Other
Advice on Literature Searching
• Become familiar with relevant databases.
• Enlist the help of librarians, if available.
• Do not rely only on abstracts.
• Make use of literature provision services (including interlibrary loan, if available).
• Keep records of what you did and what you found.
Avoiding Plagiarism
• Definition: using others’ ideas or words without indicating the source
• Note: Plagiarism is very serious.
• Carefully record the source of all information you find.
• If material is copied word for word, make that fact clear in your notes.
Avoiding Plagiarism (cont)
• In general, try not to quote extensively in material for scientific publication.
• A suggestion from a colleague: After looking at your source material, turn it face down when writing parts of your draft.
• If you are quoting material word for word, use quotation marks (or, if the quoted material is long, indent it), and cite the source.
Avoiding Plagiarism (cont)
• If unsure whether to cite the source of information, cite it.
Quoting and Citing Effectively
• For norms of citation in your field, consult relevant style manuals.
• If you are writing for a journal or book publisher, consult its instructions to authors regarding citation formats etc.
• For examples, look at published pieces in your target venue.
Quoting and Citing (cont)
• Do not cite sources for items that are common knowledge.
• Place citations in a way that makes clear which citation pertains to which fact:
Ineffective: This disease has been observed in humans, dogs, cats, horses, cows, and goats.7-14
Effective: This disease has been observed in humans,7-10 dogs,11 cats,12 horses,13 cows,13 and goats.14
Quoting and Citing (cont)
• Lead smoothly into quoted matter.Ineffective: Some journals also publish items other
than scientific papers. “A good review should both describe and evaluate the book.” (Day and Gastel, 2006)
Effective: Some journals also publish items other than scientific papers. These items can include book reviews. According to Day and Gastel (2006), “A good review should both describe and evaluate the book.”
Some Resources
• Citation Guide (from Texas A&M library): http://library.tamu.edu/portal/site/Library/menuitem.1d92ab916286c52ebd078f3019008a0c/
• “Citing and Using Sources” handout (from Texas A&M writing center): http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/content/view/12/54/
Copyright
• Definition: “the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell the matter and form of a literary or artistic work” (Day and Gastel, 2006)
• Does not protect ideas• Can be transferred, for example when a
journal will publish an article• A source of US information:
http://www.copyright.gov
Using Copyrighted Material
• Permission generally needed
• Exception: “fair use”—for example, for scholarship or research
Alternatives toTransfer of Copyright
• Used, for example, for some electronic materials
• Example: Creative Commons licenses
Patents
• Definition of patent: “the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years” (Texas A&M library)
• Rationale for patents• Alternative: trade secrets• A source of US information:
http://www.uspto.gov
Patents: Some Basic Advice
• If you think an invention may be patentable, proceed accordingly (for example, regarding timing).
• Have a qualified specialist (for example, in the United States a patent attorney) prepare the patent application.
• Consider applying for patents in more than one country.
Pointers on Writing Style
• Use short, common words if possible:– demonstrate→– fundamental→– utilize→
• Avoid wordy phrases:– at this point in time→– in the event that→– red in color→
Pointers on Writing Style (cont)
• Use verbs rather than nouns made from them:– take into consideration→– make reference to→– provide an explanation→
• Avoid long, convoluted sentences.
• Avoid very long paragraphs.
Pointers on Writing Style (cont)
• Limit use of abbreviations.
• In general, minimize use of passive voice. (an exception: the methods section of a scientific paper)
• Remember: Many readers might not be native speakers of English.
Preparing a Curriculum Vitae:A US Perspective
• Curriculum vitae: the academic equivalent of a resume
• Commonly called a CV
• Lists your education, experience, publications, honors, etc
• Often required when applying for jobs, grants, etc
Preparing a CV (cont)
• A sample CV: http://www.cce.columbia.edu/DocRep/tipsheets/CurriculumVitae.pdf
• Another resource:
http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/cv.html
Preparing a CV: Some Tips
• In general, use reverse chronological order.
• Include some contact information that is unlikely to change.
• Structure the CV in a way that suits your background and goals.
• Consider having different versions of your CV for different uses.
Preparing a CV: More Tips
• If an item may be unclear to readers, include a brief explanation.
• When listing papers you have written for publication:– If a paper has been accepted but not yet
published, list it under Publications as “In press” or “Forthcoming”.
– If a paper has been submitted but not yet accepted, generally list it under Research rather than Publications.
CV versus Resume
• CVs tend to include more information on presentations and publications than resumes do.
• Resumes list job duties; CVs generally do not.
• Resumes tend to be limited to a page or two; CVs sometimes are much longer.
Asking for Recommendation Letters
• Recommendation letters are required for many opportunities, at least in the United States.
• The following advice is from the viewpoint of someone who teaches at a US university and whose students often request recommendation letters.
Asking for Recommendation Letters:Some Tips
• Request the letter well in advance:– At least 2 weeks, if possible– If you are requesting several recommendations from
the person, ideally at least 4 to 6 weeks.
• If the person might not remember you at first, try to jog his or her memory, for example by– visiting the person’s office– providing a photo of yourself– providing some work done for his or her class.
Asking for Recommendation Letters:Some Tips (cont)
• Provide items to use and consult when preparing the recommendation—for example:– Any needed forms– A description of what you’re applying for– Your curriculum vitae or resume– Examples of your work
• Thank the recommender afterward.• If you are accepted, inform the recommender.
Writing for the Public: Some Possible Reasons
• academic requirement
• part of job
• useful to the public
• helpful in attracting people to your field
• able to increase support for your field
• enjoyable
Writing for the Public: Suggestions for Engaging the Audience
• Analyze the audience, and gear your writing to its interests.
• Include human interest.
• Quote people in your writing.
• Consider including some narrative.
• Pace the writing carefully.
• Think visually as well as verbally.
Writing for the Public: Suggestions for Conveying Content Clearly
• Minimize use of technical jargon.• Introduce new terms gently.• Provide overviews before details.• State relationships between concepts.• Include numbers—but not too many.• Relate sizes to familiar ones.• Counter misconceptions.• Consider checking with readers.
Questions?