Scientific Writing C344

Communication in Science Communication: Central to science? Without communication, “science would become a private, redundant, and ultimately futile endeavor” “Sharing ideas is essential to the evolution of every scientific field.”

Shaping Knowledge Story of Helicobactor pylori and the work of Warren and Marshall Eventually won Nobel, but not initially accepted—Why?

Science as a Social Endeavor Myth of objectivism Scientists form a community that form, validate, and interpret knowledge The Paradigm both gives structure which allows for gaining knowledge while also constraining the gain of knowledge List particular benefits and pitfalls of living in a paradigm

Pros and Cons Corrects individual errors and misperceptions Allows for greater collaboration Community can communicate with common background assumptions Rewards achievement Only allows some areas of research are seen as “valuable” Creates blindspots in most community members through common education Produces a common predisposition toward set of expectations

Individual Scientists and the Group

Importance of Writing Journals define the state of knowledge within a field Peer review is quality control Recognition of achievement is marked by publication, not experiment Funding is based on writing Guides future research Means of persuasion—what is the truth?

Persuasion Logic and extended argumentation “Facts do not speak for themselves.” Are persuasion and objectivity antithetical? Persuasion is created by Logical argument Presentation and style

“To be persuasive, scientists must make the claims of their research believable in the context of the previous research and the existing paradigm of the field; and they must present these arguments in professional forums and styles that are acceptable in the scientific community.” Writing in the Sciences, p 18

Persuasion and Socialization Learning subject matter of field Content knowledge: principles, concepts, terminology How to reason and communicate as a member Procedural knowledge: how to solve problems, test hypothesis, know basic methods, communication In this course, you will be taught both, and will be assessed primarily in how you communicate!

Types of Communication Choose type of communication to fit purpose Formal report (article, paper, report) Quick report (letter, note) Literature review Proposals Oral presentations Posters

Formal Reports Not only factual and explanatory, but interpretive and persuasive! “Scientists publish descriptions of their research not simply to tell others what they've done, but also to persuade readers that the work is valid and useful.

Extended Argument The research question is important. Methods are acceptable and properly done. The interpretations are sound. The work is a contribution to the field.

IMRAD Introduction—state of field before research Methods—study is described Results—study is described Discussion—state of field after research In organic chemistry, the format is different, but the same parts: Introduction, Results and Discussion, Conclusions, Experimental

Sections Have Purpose Framing sections Describing sections Introduction, Discussion Generalizations, present tense Describing sections Methods, Results Particulars, past tense

Lab Today Previous context—name reactions (Biginelli) Current study—learn/review skills Persuasion—characterization data