Techniques for Writing and Presenting a Scientific Paper

Course schedule

This course is not scheduled yet.

Course description

THIS COURSE IS NO LONGER OFFERED

PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE NEW COURSE The Essentials of Scientific Writing and Presenting

Communicating science is as important to the scientific process as designing, conducting, and analysing the experiment itself. The workshop focuses on essential techniques for effective writing and presentation of scientific information, and includes a session on the publishing process and on ethics of scientific publication.

We will discuss sections of a scientific article, coherence, choice of words, tight writing, parallel structure, and transitions to link ideas. We will also discuss correct grammar, punctuation, and preparation of tables and figures. You will practice writing an abstract and creating a poster.

Active Learning Format
To engage you in developing your writing and presentation skills, the workshop is in the format of “active learning” -- a combination of an informative Power Point lecture, followed by a practical group task. Task involve editing and improving each section of the paper, including tables and figures. At the end of each task, one member from each group reports its activities.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you should see improvement in your ability to:

  • write and communicate
  • reason and evaluate
  • read and discuss logically
  • analyse and synthesize
  • cooperate in a team environment
  • work quickly

Workshop Materials
A workbook (reader) will include notes from the PowerPoint presentations and case studies. The book recommended for the workshop is “Writing and Presenting Scientific Papers” by Birgitta Malmfors (SE), Phil Garnsworthy (UK) and Michael Grossman (USA), 2nd ed., Nottingham University Press (2004)

General Information

Target Group The workshop is designed for researchers who have significant experience in writing a scientific paper and want to refine their communication skills. Scientists from various disciplines are welcome to attend.
The course is open to all WGS and SENSE PhD students and WU postdocs, but most useful for PhD students who are in the process of writing scientific articles and/or writing their thesis. First year PhD students might consider they will benefit more from the course if they wait until they are actually involved in the writing process. This is not a beginner's course, but a course aiming at refreshing and deepening your knowledge.
Group size 24 participants
Course duration Four full days (9 am - 5 pm)
Language English
Credit points 1.2 ECTS
Self-study hours none
Name lecturer Professor Michael Grossman, University of Illinois
Venue All participants receive a message about the course location a few weeks before the start date of the course

Programme

Day 1
09.00 – 09.30 Opening remarks and introductions
09.30 – 10.45 TECHNIQUES FOR SCIENTIFIC WRITING
10.45 – 11.00 Coffee/Tea
11.00 – 11.30 TECHNIQUES FOR SCIENTIFIC WRITING
11.30 – 12.00 Group Activity: TITLE & ABSTRACT
12.00 – 13.00 Presentations of TITLE & ABSTRACT by groups
13.00 – 13.45 Lunch
13.45 – 15.00 TEN WAYSTO MAKE YOUR WRITING EASIER TO READ
15.00 – 15.15 Coffee/Tea
15.15 – 15.45 Group Activity INTRODUCTION
15.45 – 17.30 Presentations of INTRODUCTION by groups

Day 2
09.00 – 10.15 WRITING CORRECTLY
10.15 – 10.30 Coffee/Tea
10:30 – 11.00 WRITING CORRECTLY
11.00 – 11.30 Group Activity MATERIALS & METHODS
11.30 – 12.45 Presentations of MATERIALS & METHODS by groups
12.45 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 15.00 DESIGNING EFFECTIVE TABLES AND FIGURES
15.00 – 15.15 Coffee/Tea
15.15 – 16.00 DESIGNING EFFECTIVE TABLES AND FIGURES
16.00 – 16.20 Group Activity TABLES & FIGURES
16.00 – 17.30 Presentations of TABLES & FIGURES by groups

Day 3
09.00 – 10.30 THE PUBLISHING PROCESS
10.30 – 10.45 Coffee/Tea
10.45 – 12.15 ETHICS and AUTHORSHIP
12.15 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 13.30 WRITING AN ABSTRACT
13.30 – 15.15 Group Activity WRITING ABSTRACT
15.15 – 15.30 Coffee/Tea
15.30 – 17.30 Presentations of ABSTRACTS by groups

Day 4
09.00 – 11.00 PREPARING AN ORAL PRESENTATION
11.00 – 11.15 Coffee/Tea
11.00 – 12.15 DESIGNING AN EFFECTIVE POSTER
12.15 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 15.00 Group Activity DESIGNING AN EFFECTIVE POSTER
15.15 – 15.30 Coffee/Tea
15.30 – 16.45 Presentation of POSTERS by groups
16.45 – 17.30 Closing remarks and evaluation

Times are approximate.

Fee

  • PhDs that will graduate at Wageningen University, with an approved Education Plan (TSP), and who are member of one of the WU graduate schools (EPS, PE&RC, VLAG, WASS, WIAS, WIMEK/SENSE)
  • Postdocs of Wageningen University that are registered at one of the WU graduate schools
 € 225,-
All other PhD candidates / post-docs and staff of Wageningen University € 450,-
All other participants € 900,-

Fee includes study and training material, coffee/tea and lunches.

Cancellation condition

Until 1 month before the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge. After this date you will be charged with the full (not reduced) fee.

Exemptions:

  1. For WU/SENSE PhDs with an approved TSP and WU postdocs: when you have a written statement from your supervisor indicating the valid reason (circumstances beyond your control) of your withdrawal from the course, we will charge you with the reduced fee. Validity of the reason will be evaluated by the WGS Course Commission.
  2. When we can replace you with someone from the waiting list, we will charge you with € 100 administration fee.
  3. When we cannot find a replacement for you on the waiting list and you have found a replacement yourself, we will charge you with € 100 administration fee. In this case, please inform the course coordinator!!

Waiting list

It is possible to register for a waiting list of this course, but that is no guarantee that you will be admitted.
You will not be informed when you are not admitted, and you will not be rescheduled to another occasion, unless you have contacted the course coordinator about this.

It is possible to register for an occasion that is still open for registration, next to a waiting list or for more than one waiting list. Please inform the course coordinator if you do so.
You are responsible yourself to prevent double admittance and to cancel in time if you are admitted to more than one edition of the course.

Information

For more information please contact Marjolijn.Dannenburg@wur.nl