Research Insider Series: Practical Tips for Writing and Reviewing Science

Join us on November 13th for the next workshop in our Research Insider Series: Practice Tips for Writing and Reviewing Science. Presented by Nancy R. Gough, Ph.D., this presentation gives scientists a peek into the mind of the editor and the reviewer. Not only will you learn how to better prepare competitive manuscripts for submission but also how to be an effective in-depth reviewer. You will also receive tips for presenting data effectively, along with real-world samples.

Nancy R. Gough is the owner and author of BioSerendipity (www.bioserendipity.com) and adjunct Associate Professor at George Washington University. After 17 with AAAS, Dr. Gough stepped down as the Editor of Science Signaling (a weekly multidisciplinary journal, and launched her company. She is dedicated to helping scientists communicate effectively.  She has a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics from the University of Maryland Medical School. After graduating, she joined Johns Hopkins University, first as a postdoctoral fellow, then as a research associate, in the lab of Dr. Douglas Fambrough in the Biology Department. She performed research in cell biology, as well as taught undergraduate and graduate courses.

Presentation Outline:

1. Editor’s Perspective
   • Roles of an editor
   • 5 Golden rules
   • Audiences
2. Think Like a Reviewer
   • Quality
   • Major issues
   • Minor issues
   • Impact
   • Comments to the editor
   • Comments to the author
   • Constructive evaluations
3. Think Like an Editor
   • Scope, standards, format
   • Accessibility (understandable)
   • Journal criteria
4. Cover Letters
   • Opportunity to speak to editor
   • Opportunity to “sell” your research
5. Writing Tips (Presenting Data)
   • Clarity
   • Conciseness
   • Accuracy
   • Precision
   • Presenting data (how to and how not to)
   • Figure legends
6. Sample Titles
7. Sample Abstracts