Download 1b scientific literature and communication

Scientific Literature and
Communication
Unit 3- Investigative Biology
b) Scientific literature and
communication
Key areas
Scientific literature and communication
• The importance of publication of methods, data,
analysis and conclusions in scientific reports so that
others are able to repeat an experiment.
• The importance of peer review and critical
evaluation.
• The use of review articles, which summarise current
knowledge and recent findings in a particular field.
• Critical evaluation of science coverage in the wider
media.
Key areas
Scientific literature and communication
• Common methods of sharing original scientific
findings include seminars, conference talks and
posters and publishing in academic journals.
• Most scientific publications use peer review.
Specialists with expertise in the relevant field
assess the scientific quality of a submitted
manuscript and make recommendations regarding its
suitability for publication.
• Increasing the public understanding of science and
the issue of misrepresentation of science in the
media.
Methods
• The methods section is the most important
aspect of a research paper because it
provides the information by which the
validity of a study is ultimately judged.
Therefore, the author must provide a clear
and precise description of how an
experiment was done, and the rationale for
the specific experimental procedures
chosen.
Methods
• It must be written with enough
information so that:
• (1) the experiment could be repeated by
others to evaluate whether the results
are reproducible
• (2) the audience can judge whether the
results and conclusions are valid.
Methods
• Now attempt activity 3 in your activity
booklets.
Methods
• This section is written in the past tense
“10mls of water was added”
And it must also be written in impersonal
language- don’t say “I did this” “we did
this” “you” etc
Methods
• What would you expect to find in a methods
section?
A list of the materials used
Explanation of how materials are prepared
Describing the protocol
Explaining how measurements were made and
what calculations were performed
• Stating which statistical tests were done to
analyse the data
• A labelled diagram if suitable
•
•
•
•
Data
• Data collected during the experiment will
be included in the paper.
• The information will be presented in the
appropriate format (tables and/or graphs).
• Although the author has analysed the
results, the reader must also analyse the
raw data to draw their own conclusions.
Analysis and Conclusions
Results should be analysed so that the
relevant conclusions can be drawn and relate
back to the aim/hypothesis.
Analysis and Conclusions
• Then, relate your interpretations to the present state
of knowledge and future needs for research. If you can
answer "Yes" to the following questions you have
written a good discussion section:
 Did you reach conclusions about the initial hypotheses?
 Did you compare conclusions to those of others?
 Did you identify sources of error and basic inadequacies
of technique?
 Did you speculate upon broader meanings of the
conclusions reached?
 Did you identify further steps needed in research on
the problem?
 Did you suggest improvements of methods?
How is the literature
communicated?
•
•
•
•
Seminars
Conference talks
Posters
Publishing in academic journals
Peer Review
• Scientists use peer review to decide
which research results should be
published in a scientific journal.
• The peer review process subjects
scientific
research
papers
to
independent scrutiny by other qualified
scientific experts (peers) before they
are made public.
Wider Media
• Scientific research can now be shown to
the general public in many forms (on the
news, in magazines/papers).
• This allows for an increase in public
knowledge in a particular field in science.
• However, don’t believe everything you
read, science can often be misrepresented
in the media!
• Anybody who has an interest in science
of the article should be able to read and
understand the main concepts.
• The representation of Science must be
accessible to all.
Methods
Now attempt
activity 4 in your
activity booklets.
Key areas
Scientific literature and communication
• The importance of publication of methods, data,
analysis and conclusions in scientific reports so that
others are able to repeat an experiment.
• The importance of peer review and critical
evaluation.
• The use of review articles, which summarise current
knowledge and recent findings in a particular field.
• Critical evaluation of science coverage in the wider
media.
Key areas
Scientific literature and communication
• Common methods of sharing original scientific
findings include seminars, conference talks and
posters and publishing in academic journals.
• Most scientific publications use peer review.
Specialists with expertise in the relevant field
assess the scientific quality of a submitted
manuscript and make recommendations regarding its
suitability for publication.
• Increasing the public understanding of science and
the issue of misrepresentation of science in the
media.