Scientific publishing and presentation: A practical guide with advice on doctoral studies and career planning

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