The aim of this book is to help young scientists improve their oral and written communication skills and thus better sell their own results. This book is not a scientific textbook. It addresses the often forgotten question of how to present one's scientific results effectively and convincingly in talks and publications. In addition, this book provides background knowledge on the process of scientific publishing and scientific customs.
The recommendations help to develop a good and effective work and communication style that will benefit you throughout your life and bring satisfaction in your work.
Furthermore, concrete advice is given on how to write and successfully defend a dissertation and how to take the first steps in career planning.
Author(s): Claus Ascheron
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 166
City: Berlin
Preface
Recognition
Contents
1: Introduction
1.1 How Do I Become a Successful Scientist?
1.2 Presenting
1.3 Publishing
1.4 Further Literature on the Topics of This Book
2: Scientific Presentation
2.1 Planning a Presentation
2.1.1 Audience
2.1.2 Title and Abstract
2.1.3 Collection of Materials
2.1.4 Structure of a Presentation
2.1.5 Detailed Structure and Content
Introduction – What Is the Problem?
Experiment and Methods – What Do We Do?
Results and Discussion
Conclusions – Summary and Take-Home Message
Recognition – Who Contributed to or Funded the Work?
Psychologically Seductive Lecture Structure
2.2 Visual Aids
2.2.1 Advantages of Visualised Representations
Computer Presentations
2.2.2 Preparation of the Slides
2.2.3 How Many Pictures?
2.2.4 Amount of Information
2.2.5 Headings
2.2.6 Key Words and Key Findings
2.2.7 Typography and Font Size
2.2.8 Diagrams
2.2.9 Mathematical Formulae
2.2.10 Use of Colour
2.2.11 Disclose Information Step by Step
2.2.12 Animations
2.2.13 Checklist
2.3 Practice Before the Big Event
2.3.1 Are You Afraid of Forgetting Essentials?
2.3.2 Does It Worry You to Possibly Exceed the Lecture Time?
2.3.3 Are You Worried About Not Finding the Right Words?
2.3.4 Should You Feel Too Safe?
2.3.5 Do You Have Stage Fright?
2.4 Giving a Lecture
2.4.1 Manner of Speaking and Style of Presentation
Free Speech
Rhythm and Dramaturgy
Language and Intonation
Keep to the Lecture Time
2.4.2 Positive Feedback to the Audience
Attract Attention
Keep Attention
2.4.3 Keep the Attention of the Listeners
Dialogue with the Audience
2.4.4 Giving Lectures
2.4.5 Body Language
The Importance of Body Language
Typical Errors
Speak to the Wall
Disturb the View
Clothes
Inappropriate Facial Expression
Nervous Movements of Hands and Eyes
Nervous Pacing Back and Forth
Gesticulating Too Much
Casual Appearance
Sniffing, Head Scratching, Nail Biting, Nose Picking, Etc.
2.4.6 Being Relaxed
2.4.7 Pointing to the Images
2.4.8 Time Discipline
2.4.9 Evaluation
2.5 Surviving the Discussion
2.5.1 Answering Questions
Avoid Points of Attack
Be Prepared
Respond to Questions
Interrupting Questions
2.5.2 The Art of Asking Questions
Examining Question
Skeptic Question
Deliberate Misunderstanding
Method of Modified Boundary Conditions
Method of Autapotheosis or Self-Congratulation
Method of Deviation
Prepared Questions
Stupid Question
2.6 Poster Presentations
2.6.1 Classification as a Poster Lecture
2.6.2 Visual Considerations for Poster Design
2.7 Some Tips for Chairing Meetings
2.7.1 Tasks of the Discussion Leader
Preparation
Time Discipline
Fancy Lectures
Discussion Leader
2.7.2 Seminars and Internal Meetings
2.8 What to Do and What Not to Do
3: Publishing Scientific Articles
3.1 Planning and Preparation
3.1.1 Before You Start
3.1.2 Select a Magazine
3.1.3 Citation Frequency and Impact Factor
3.1.4 Who Should Be Listed as Authors?
3.1.5 Writing Multi-Author Publications
3.1.6 Planning and Preparing the Content of a Publication
3.2 Writing Style
3.2.1 Who Will Read Your Article and Where?
3.2.2 Write Clearly, Concisely and Logically
3.2.3 Scientific Expression
3.2.4 Importance of Good English
3.3 Structure of Scientific Articles
3.3.1 Title
3.3.2 Authors and Addresses
3.3.3 Abstract
3.3.4 Key Words and Classification Codes
3.3.5 Introduction
3.3.6 Experiment and Method or Theory
3.3.7 Results and Discussion
3.3.8 Conclusions or Summary
3.3.9 Recognition
3.3.10 Annexes
3.3.11 Quotations
3.3.12 Other Styles of Short Notes and Letters
3.4 Formal Aspects of Manuscript Preparation
3.4.1 Figures and Tables
3.4.2 Units
3.4.3 Abbreviations
3.4.4 Symbols
3.4.5 Index
3.4.6 The Bibliography
3.4.7 Camera-Ready Manuscripts
3.4.8 Some Remarks on Copyright
3.5 Submission, Peer Review and Revision
3.5.1 Appraisal
3.5.2 Acceptance or Rejection
3.5.3 Discussion with the Reviewers
3.5.4 Happy Ending
3.6 Writing Book Manuscripts
3.6.1 Writing a Contribution for an Edited Book
3.6.2 Editing a Book
3.6.3 Writing a Book Manuscript Yourself
3.6.4 Writing to Make Money?
3.7 What to Do and What Not to Do
4: Culture and Ethics of Scientific Publishing
4.1 Purpose of Scientific Publishing
4.1.1 Obligation to Publish
4.1.2 Driving Scientific Progress
4.1.3 Securing Priorities
4.1.4 Further Benefits for the Individual
4.2 Types of Scientific Publications
4.2.1 Own Homepage or Preprint Server
4.2.2 Conference Proceedings
4.2.3 Publications in Journals
4.2.4 Books
4.3 Ethics of Scientific Publishing
4.3.1 Spectacular Cases of Misconduct in Scientific Publishing
4.3.2 Other Cases of Scientific Fraud
4.3.3 What Leads to Misconduct?
4.3.4 Moral Guardians
4.4 Concluding Remarks
5: Dissertation Writing
5.1 What Do I Want to Do and Where?
5.2 Selection of the Topic
5.3 How Do I Organise My Work?
5.4 Time Planning of a Dissertation
5.5 How Do I Document My Results?
5.6 Writing the Dissertation
5.6.1 Basic Requirements for a Dissertation
5.6.2 Formal Structure of a Dissertation Thesis
5.7 Defending the Dissertation
5.8 Purchased Doctoral Degree
6: Career Planning
6.1 After Graduation
6.2 Postdoc or Work in Industry?
6.3 After the Postdoc
6.3.1 Job Selection
6.3.2 Interview
6.3.3 Dual Career
References
