Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Objectives
Be able to research a scientific topic from primary
sources
Be able to synthesize a coherent and instructive story
based on these findings
Communicate this story in written prose, paying
attention to correct referencing
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Assessment
20% - literature web, Fri 22nd Feb
10% - first paragraph, Fri 1st March
70% - final report, Fri 22nd March
2500 words maximum
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Lecture Schedule
1. Introduction
5. First sentence*
2. The key paper
Literature web
3. Writing a paper
6. First paragraph*
7. Last paragraph*
4. Literature Reviews
* class-led discussion
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Literature Web
Start with your Science paper
• identify the key papers leading up to it
• Identify the key papers leading from it
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Literature Web
Example:
Constraints on Melt Movement Beneath the East Pacific
Rise From 230Th-238U Disequilibrium
Haibo Zou, Alan Zindler, Yaoling Niu
Science 4 January 2002:
Vol. 295 no. 5552 pp. 107-110
DOI: 10.1126/science.1064295
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Key papers leading up to it
Experimental technique
Idea itself
Off axis Volcanism
Model
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Key papers leading from it
Has only been cited 20 times… (well in 2012 it had)
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Key papers leading from it
Has only been cited 20 times… (well in 2012 it had)
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Key papers leading from it
Do any stand out?
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Key papers leading from it
Check on the standing of the journals
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Check on the standing of the journals
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Literature Web
Concept
Goldstein et al.,
Nature, 1994,
367, 157-159
Model
Spiegelmann &
Earth Planet.
Lett., 1993,
118,1-20
Idea
Hoffman Earth
Planet. Lett.,
1998, 90, 297-314
Zou et al.
Science
2002, 295,
107-110
Exp technique
Scheiner et al.
Science 1998,
260, 5367
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Literature Web
Crawford & Webb,
Earth Planet. Lett.,
2002, 203 117-130.
Zou et al.
Science
2002, 295,
107-110
Data for specific location
Stracke et al., Earth
Planet. Lett., 2006,
244, 97-112
Sims et al., Geosc.
Geoan. Res. 2008, 32,
65-91
Zou et al., Chem.
Geol. 2008, 255,
134-142.
Assessment of
Method
Stand Ref Source
Data for specific location
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Searching the Chemical Literature
Yale University Science Library
Traditional Structure of Chemical Literature
Primary Materials- information reported by scientists
• Original Articles and Letters / electronic journals
• Patents
• Technical Reports
• Conference Proceedings
• Dissertations
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Searching the Chemical Literature
Yale University Science Library
Traditional Structure of Chemical Literature
Secondary Materials- repackaged and better organized information reported by researchers
• Review Articles
• Abstracts
• Bibliographies
• Indexes
• Dictionaries/Handbooks
• Tables/Datasets
• Trade Catalogs, Bulletins
• Advertisements
• Treatises
• Chemical Safety Information
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Searching the Chemical Literature
Yale University Science Library
Traditional Structure of Chemical Literature
Tertiary Materials - works designed to teach you how to use primary and secondary works
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Searching the Chemical Literature
Yale University Science Library
Issues to Consider When Choosing a Reference Tool
• Scope - Does the tool cover the type of information you are looking for?
• Comprehensiveness - Does the reference tool cover "everything" published in the field or
do the editors draw from specific sources?
• Chronological coverage - From how far back in time is information gathered? How recently
has the reference tool been published?
• Access points - How is to tool indexed? What do you have to know before you can use the
tool?
• Quality - Who compiled the information presented in the reference tool? Did the original
information come from reputable sources? Is there a system of fact checking in place?
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Searching the Chemical Literature
Yale University Science Library
Learning to use a reference tool
•Front matter - The first few pages of most print resources contain tips on how to best use the
tool, as well as the name of the editor, publisher information, copyright date, scope,
comprehensiveness, and chronological coverage of a reference tool. Usually, a labeled sample
record and a key to abbreviations is also available in the front matter.
•Help systems - Electronic reference tools are usually equipped with help systems. These builtin systems provide information about:
•
•
•
truncation
implied adjacency
protocols for searching the database
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Writing a Paper
I will base this on the American Chemical Society Style
Guide for preparing camera ready manuscripts
“ACS Books: Instructions for Authors”
Reproduced with permission.
(NB different Journals use different styles and different style
sheets – choose one and be consistent)
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Introduction
Preparing a “camera ready” manuscript is not an easy
task…
ACS will not accept your manuscript if
•
•
•
•
•
It is the verbatim reproduction of a prior publication
The type is not clear and/or reasonably sized
References are called out inappropriately
Correct margins are not used
Text is wrapped on the left and right sides of artwork
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
General Guidelines
To help ACS provide a microsoft word style sheet and
“starter file”
Other journals have microsoft and/or latex stylesheets
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
First Page
• Author names should include first name or initials before the family
name. Use capital/lowercase letters for the family name
• If there is more than one affiliation, use superscript numbers to link
the authors’ names and their affiliations Identify the affiliation for
each author if multiple affiliations are given
• If an author’s current address is different from that given in the
affiliation, use a superscript number to indicate the address.
Example: 4Current address: XYZ Company, 111 Apple Street, New
York, NY 10000.
• Generally, the first author listed is the corresponding author. If this is
not the case, indicate the corresponding author with an asterisk.
Example: J. S. Smith*
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Headings
• The headings for major sections of your manuscript should not be
lettered or numbered. Generally, there are no more than three levels
of headings
• Other journals do use lettered or numbered headings
• Primary headings should occur in the text at intervals of 500-700
words to help the reader and to aid the indexer.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Printing Your Manuscript (Thesis)
•
•
•
•
•
Print your manuscript on A4 paper.
Margins need to be at least 2 cm.
You must use 12 point font with at least 1.5 line spacing.
Use only one side of the paper.
Use a laser printer for the best quality. If at all possible, do not use a
dot matrix printer or ink jet printer.
• Before printing the manuscript, check the printer for dark, clean type;
use a new toner cartridge if necessary.
• Do not put any sticky notes on top of type: the adhesive can lift the
toner (dry ink) off the paper.
• Do not fold manuscripts when sending them to your editor
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Using Starter Files
• Open the starter file (enable macros if necessary).
• Enter your text, either by typing, cutting and pasting or inserting an
imported file.
• Format the type elements as described in the sample chapter. The
starter file contains preset “styles” for formatting the different text
elements likely to appear in your chapter. The styles are named after
the text element (such as “Abstract” or “Heading 1”) that they
format. The styles are in the pull down menu and also the “starter”
toolbar.
• When you have finished formatting the text, proceed with adding
footnotes, figures, equations, tables, and other elements of your
manuscript.
• Save your manuscript using a descriptive file name – such as the last
name of the corresponding author.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Figures: Preparing
• The clarity of the printed illustrations depends on the quality of the
original illustrations.
• Figure Callouts in Text
• Every figure must have a callout in the text.
• Figures are numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals. When
referring to a figure in the text, write out the word “Figure” and use
the number.
Example: As shown in Figure 3, the polymer surface has begun to
deteriorate.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Figures: Placement
• Provide the figures as part of the text: If your word processor can
incorporate figures as part of the text, this is acceptable; however, do
not wrap text on the left or right sides of figures.
• Make sure that the type size in the figures matches the type size in
the text and that the complete figure caption is included beneath the
figure.
• Figures should always be placed after their callout in the text, bring
text over to fill out the page and put the figure on the next page.
• Do not insert/paste photographs or colour figures, and do not leave
space for them in the text.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Figure Captions
• Figure captions are placed immediately below the figure. Captions
begin with the word “Figure” and the figure number.
• Figure captions should be concise. Lengthy discussion of reaction
conditions or data interpretation, for example, should be
incorporated into the text.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Line Art
• When preparing line art for publication, keep in mind the following
points:
• Use plain, readable typeface, such as Times Roman, Helvetica or Arial.
• Avoid ornate fonts and special effects, such as shadows or outlines.
• Avoid textures and shadings.
• Use initial capital letters for axis labels,
Example: Time(min); Temperature(°C).
• Maintain even spacing within the figure or scheme.
• Use dark black ink on high-quality, smooth, opaque white paper.
• Use a printer with the best resolution available to you.
• Do not tape, glue, or paste anything onto or touching line art.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Chemical Structures
• Chemical structures are a type of line art. They can be placed within
the text or submitted separately.
• Prepare chemical structures using ChemDraw according to these
guidelines (If you use other drawing packages, please adapt these
parameters)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Typeface: 10 pt Times Roman (or Times New Roman)
Bond length: 14.4 pt (0.2 in.)
Line thickness: 0.6 pt (0.0083 in.)
Bond thickness: 2.0 pt (0.0278 in.)
Tolerance: 3.0 pt (0.0417 in.)
Margin width: 1.6 pt (0.0222 in.)
Hash spacing: 2.5 pt (0,0345 in.)
Bond spacing: 18% of width
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Equations
• Equations do not need to be numbered unless you refer to them
again later in the text.
Example: According to eq 3, the difference between…
• If you do number equations, assign consecutive Arabic numerals and
place the equation number in parentheses at the right margin of the
line.
• Whenever possible, equations should be part of the text paragraphs
rather than displayed on a different line. If the equations contain
stacked elements or if the need to be referenced with numbers,
however, then you must separate them from the paragraphs.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Tables
• Every table must have a callout in the text.
• Tables are numbered sequentially using Roman numerals.
• When referring to a table in the text, write out the word “Table” and
use the Roman numeral.
Example: As shown in Table VII, the time/temperature ratio..
• Each table should have a title, beginning with the word “Table” and
the roman numeral and followed by a descriptive, short title. Table
titles are placed immediately above the table.
• Use vertical columns for presenting data wherever possible and
provide column heads for each column of data.
• When presenting numerical data, align the decimal points; if this is
not possible, centre the entry. For numbers less than 1, a zero
ordinarily precedes the decimal point. Examples: 0.2 g; 0.02 h
• Indicate table footnotes by using superscript lowercase italic letters.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Table Placement
• Place small tables (fewer than 30 lines) within the text, leaving two
lines of space above and below each table.
• Do not wrap text on the left or right sides of tables.
• Place the table on the same page as its callout if it fits entirely on that
page. Otherwise, fill out the page with text and place the table on the
next page.
• Print larger tables on separate sheets of manuscript paper.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
References
• Indicate references in test by a number in parentheses on line in the
text. Print the reference numbers in italic and number them
sequentially as they occur in the text. Do not combine references. Each
reference number should refer to a single source.
Example: Recent studies (15, 16) of fluorine interactions suggest that…
• Other journals use different referencing styles.
• Collect references in a list under the heading References at the end of
the manuscript. The Reference section should consist of a numbered list
of references, single-spaced. Don not begin the Reference section on a
new page unless the previous page is full. Do not leave blank lines
between references.
• Reference lists should contain only those sources cited in your
manuscript.
• For a thorough discussion of reference style consult the ACS Style Guide.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
References
Journal: Author, A. B.; Author, C. D. J. Abbrev. 20XX, vol, xx-yy.
NB: no punctuation appears in journal abbreviations except periods. No conjunctions, articles,
or prepositions appear in journal abbreviations No comma or semicolon appears before or
after journal titles.
Book: Author, A. B.; Author, C. D. Book Title; Series name and number;
Publisher: City, STATE (2 letters), year; Vol. 1, pp xx-yy.
Edited Book, no author: Editor, A. B.; Editor, C. D., Ed.; Series name and
number; Publisher: City, STATE (2 letters), year; Vol. 1, pp xx-yy.
Edited Book, with author: Author, A. B. In Book Title; Editor, C. D., Ed.; Series
name and number; Publisher: City, STATE (2 letters), year; Vol. 1, pp xx-yy.
Patent: Author, A. B. U.S. Patent 3,123,456, year.
Thesis: Author, A. B. Ph.D. thesis, Institution Name, City, STATE (2 letters),
year.
NB do not include title of the thesis.
Books Electronic Reference: About the American Chemical Society Books
Department, URL http://pubs.acs.org/books, accessed xx/yy/zz.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
References
• Use Chemical Abstracts abbreviations for journal names.
• For books, edition follows title: Book Title, 2nd ed.;
• The punctuation retains the style (e.g. roman, bold, or italic) of the character
to which it is attached.
• Include the two-letter state name for all U.S. cities except New York Include
the country name for all non-U.S. cities except London and Paris.
• For unpublished results, give author names and affiliations. Describe
submitted material as unpublished. Unless an article has been published it it
either unpublished or accepted, in which case it is in press. Include the
journal name and year.
• When citing theses, include the name of the school, city, and state (or city
and country).
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
References
• Certain journals that have duplicate titles should be cited along with the city
of publication. For example: Science (Washington, D.C.), Nature (London),
Nature (London) New Biol., and Nature (London) Phys. Sci.
• Certain journals do not have volume numbers:
Chem. Ind. (London)
J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 1 or 2
Chem. Lett.
J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1 or 2
J. Chem. Soc.
Proc. Chem. Soc. London
Tetrahedron Lett.
J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Using Previously Published Material
• If you reproduce or adapt previously published tables, figures, illustrations,
or extensive quotations from other sources (books or journals) in your
manuscript, you must obtain permission and they must be appropriately
credited.
What Needs Permission:
• Any table, diagram or illustration that was previously published.
• Any table, diagram or illustration that is adapted from previously published
material.
• Any quotation (or series of shorter quotation) totaling 200 words or more
from a book or a periodical, or 10% of the entire work, whichever is less.
• Materials from ACS magazines and co-published journals.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Using Previously Published Material
What Does Not Need Permission:
•Data itself cannot be copyrighted, only the form of the data. For example, if
you convert data contained in a text to a tabular form, no permission is
needed. However, the source of the data must be referenced.
•Chemical structures are facts and do not need to be referenced.
•Material published by the U.S. government is in the public domain and,
therefore, is not subject to copyright. However, government publications
occasionally reprint material; you must obtain permission from the original
publisher to reprint such material. In addition, work performed under
government contracts by independent people or laboratories is copyrighted,
and you must obtain permission to use it.
•Material reproduced or adapted from ACS journal articles and book chapters
(as opposed to ACS magazines and co-published journals) does not need
permission. However, a credit line must be included.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Using Previously Published Material
Obtaining Permission:
• You, the author, are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions for
previously published material.
• In most cases the copyright owner is the publisher (even if you were the
original author of the material you wish to reprint).
• Most publishers will grant permission free of charge.
• Many publishers have copyright and permission information available on
their websites.
In the unusual event that permission is denied, you have three choices:
1. Substantially alter the material so that permission is no longer required
2. Find substitute material
3. Delete the material
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Identifying Previously Published Material
Previously published material should be accompanied by a credit line that identifies the
copyright owner of the material. For figures, credit lines are added at the end of the
figure caption; they do not have to be on a new line. For tables, credit lines appear as a
note, following any table footnotes.
Examples:
1.For any figure reproduced or adapted from previously published material: (Reproduced
with permission from reference 19. Copyright 1986 John Wiley & Sons.) OR (Adapted
with permission from reference 45. Copyright 1993 CRC Press.)
2.For any table reproduced or adapted from previously published material:
SOURCE: Reproduced with permission from reference 6. Copyright 1996 Pergamon.
3.For material reproduced or adapted from the U.S. Government (which does not require
permission): (Reproduced from reference 144.)
It is sometimes difficult to determine whether the copyright holder is the publisher, the
journal, or the author.
If you are not certain: (Reproduced with permission from reference 2. Copyright 1999.)
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Sample Chapter
Author: 14 pt
boldface, centred,
single line spacing,
1 blank line after
Affiliation: 12 pt
boldface, centred,
single line spacing
Chapter title: 24 pt
boldface, centred, single line
spacing, with 3 blank lines
before and 1 blank line after
Camera Ready Manuscripts
Author A. Sample1,4, P. Q. Chemist2,*, and Another Author3
1Department
Chapter subtitle:
18 pt boldface,
centred, single line
spacing, 2 blank
lines after
of dairy Technology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
2Department of Food Microbiology and Toxicology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53076
3Food Service Branch, U.S. Department of agriculture, Peoria, IL 61604 Abstract: 12 pt
Times New
4Current address: Department of Dairy, Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt
Roman, justified,
single line spacing.
Leave 3 blank lines
before and after.
The first sentence of an abstract is critical, It is usually a brief informational statement of the
major results reported in the chapter. The reader should have to go no further if the subject is of
little interest to him or her. It does not include a restatement of the title. It may contain specific
data. For example, a general statement that an important measurement was made is insufficient;
include the actual results.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Leave three line spaces after the abstract and then begin the regular text here. Indent the first line of a paragraph
by ¼ inch, including after the abstract or headings. Regular text is 14 point Times Roman (or Times New Roman),
justified, one and a half line spacing. On each page, all text and figures should fit within the page margins. For A4
paper, margins need to be at least 2cm on all sides.
Avoid leaving “widows” (a widow is a single line of type at the top of a page); complete the paragraph on the
same page or carry over 2 lines of text to the next page. Also avoid placing headings alone at page bottoms; at
least 1 line of type should appear on the same page after a heading.
This is a Primary Heading
Heading 1 (primary
heading): 16 pt, boldface,
centred, 1.5 line spacing.
Capitalize the first letter of
main words. Leave 2 blank
lines above and 1 blank line
below.
Primary headings should occur in the text at intervals of 500-700 words to help the reader and to aid the
indexer. Primary headings should not be lettered or numbered. The type size for primary headings should be 14
point type, and the style should be printed in boldface type with initial capital letters.
If you are not using the styles that come with the started file, you must manually add 2 lines of space above the
primary heading and 1 line of space below the heading. If you are using the styles that some with the starter file,
choose “Heading 1” from the styles menu, type your heading, and all the styling will appear.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Secondary Heading
Heading 2 (secondary heading): 12 pt,
boldface, flush left, 1.5 line spacing. Capitalize
the first letter of main words. Leave 2 blank
lines above and 1 blank line below.
Secondary headings should be the same size as the remainder of the manuscript and should be printed in
boldface type. Captitalize the first letter of major words. If you are not using the styles that come with the starter
file, you must manually add 2 lines of space above the secondary heading and 1 line of space below the heading. If
you are using the styles that come with the starter file, choose “Heading 2” from the styles menu, type your
heading, and all the styling, including the spacing above and below the heading will appear.
Sometimes text is formatted in special ways to present information more clearly. For example, a bulleted list:
List: Put one blank line above and
below the list; indent the text ¼ inch
from the left margin
• This is the first item of a bulleted list. Add 1 blank line above the first item.
• This is the second item in a bulleted list. Do not add additional space above or below middle list items.
• This is the third item in a bulleted list. Add 1 blank line below the last item.
Text following a bulleted list is indented only if it is a new paragraph (using the “text” style) or does not indent
if it is a continuation of the paragraph above the list (using the “text no indent style”).
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Tertiary Heading
Heading 3 (tertiary heading): 12 pt, italic, flush
left, 1.5 line spacing. Capitalize the first letter of
main words. Leave 2 blank lines above and 1
blank line below.
Tertiary headings should be the same size as the remainder of the manuscript and should be printed in italic type. Capitalize the
first letter of major words. Leave 2 line spaces above the heading and 1 extra line space below the heading. The first paragraph
following a tertiary heading is indented.
If you are not using the styles that come with the starter file, you must manually add 2 lines of space above the tertiary heading.
Otherwise choose “Heading 3” from the styles menu, type your heading, and all the styling, including the spacing above and below
the heading will appear.
Sometimes text is formatted in special ways to present information more clearly. For example, a numbered list:
1. This is the first item of a numbered list. Add 1 blank line above the first item.
2. This is an example of a middle item in a numbered list. Do not add additional space above or below middle list items.
3. This is an example of the last item in a numbered list. Add 1 blank line below the last item.
Text following a numbered list is indented only if it is a new paragraph (using the “text” style) or does not indent if it is a
continuation of the paragraph above the list (using the “text no indent style”).
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
References
References in text should be in parentheses in italic type on the line (2). All references in the Reference section
should be cited in consecutive order.
Figures and Artwork
The artwork submitted for publication in ACS books will be used as camera-ready copy. Therefore, the clarity of
the printed illustrations depends in the quality of the original illustrations you provide. Please use original artwork;
photocopies, pdfs etc are not acceptable. Please see the earlier sections, Figures, Chemical Structures, Equations
and Tables, for more guidance, In addition, Chapter 9 of The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors,
2nd edition, has helpful information on preparing artwork.
Figures are numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals (for example, “Figure 1”). Every figure must have a
callout in the text.
Figures that are reproduced from other publications must have permission from the original publisher (see the
section Using Previously Published Material.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Figure Placement
If your word processor can generate figures within the text, this is acceptable; however, do not wrap text on the left
or right sides of a figure. (Figure 1, below is an example of a figure on a text page.) Do not insert/paste-up
photographs and do not leave space for them in the text. Make sure the type size in the figures matches the type
size in the text and that the complete figure caption is included beneath the figure. Figures should always appear
after their callouts in the text. If the figure or table will not fit on the same page as the citation in the text, bring
over text to fill out the page and put the figure or table at the top of the next page.
See printed version
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Equations
Whenever possible, equations should be typed so that they appear within text and without stacked elements.
Example: (x + y)/(3x – y). When equations cannot be typed and easily read in text or when the equations must be
numbered, then equations are set on a separate line, as display equations:
(14)
æ 1 ö k
÷÷ ln a
Tmax = çç
è ka - kel ø kel
Display equations should be centred, with one line space above and below. Equation numbers should be set
flush right, in parentheses.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Tables
Place small tables (fewer than 30 lines) within the text, leaving two lines of space above and below each table. Place
the table on the same page as its callout if it fits entirely on that page. Otherwise, fill the page with text and place the
table at the top of the next page. Print larger tables o separate sheets of manuscript paper. If the tables are oversized,
they should be reduced, as a whole, and placed after their callout See Table I as an example of table styling.
Follow these specifications for tables:
•Number all tables consecutively using single Roman numerals.
•Give every table a descriptive, short title, centred above the table in boldface.
•Use vertical columns for presenting for presenting data wherever possible and give column heads for each column
of data.
•When presenting numerical data, align the decimal points; if this is not possible, centre the entry. In numbers less
than one, a zero should ordinarily precede the decimal point.
•Indicate footnotes by using superscript lowercase italic letters.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Table title: 12 pt,
boldface, centred over
table, 1.5 line spacing.
Table I. Membrane Protein and Lipid Contenta
Membrane
Table note:
11 pt, flush
left, single
line spacing,
with 3 points
above each
note.
Protein
Content
Lipid
Content
Myelin
18
79
Human erythrocyte
49
43
Mitochondria (outer membrane)
52
48
Mycoplasma Iaidlawii
58
37
Sarcoplasmic reticulum
67
33
Gram-positive bacteria
75
25
Mitochondria (inner membrane)
76
24
a: Units are percent dry weight.
SOURCE: Reproduced from Reference 7. Copyright 1997 American Chemical Society.
Table heads: 12 pt,
italic, centred over
columns, 1.5 line
spacing. Place a
border above and
below table heads.
Table text: 12 pt, 1.5
line spacing. Align the
first column on the left
and align the other
columns as
appropriate. Place a
border below table
text.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
References
1.Martin, Y. C.; Willett, P., Eds. Designing Bioactive Molecules; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC,
1998; p 59.
2.Vogler, B.; Klaiber, I.; Roos, G.; Walter, C. U. J. Nat. Prod. 1998, 61, 388.
3.Curry, A. S. Advances in Forensic and Clinical Toxicology; The Chemical Rubber Company: Cleveland, OH,
1972.
4.Hill, M.; Fott, P. Fuels 1993, 72, 525-529.
References:
12 pt,
5.Annual Book of ASTM Standards; Standard D3370-82; American Society for Testing
and Materials:
justified, 1 or 1.5 line
Philadelphia, PA, 1986; Vol. 11.01, pp 130-139.
spacing. Set a tab
6.Welling, P. G. Pharmacokinetics; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC 1997; p 12.stop at ¼ inch and a
hanging indent of ¼
inch. Type the number
and period, then tab
and type the
reference.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Examples of Artwork that will and
will not reproduce well
See printed images
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Figure Checklist
Presentation of Data
• Independent values are plotted on the x-axis, dependent values on the
y-axis.
• In general, no more than five curves to a figure (may be more or less if
scientifically necessary).
• Identity of each curve is clear.
• Curves are spaced to maximize their visibility.
• Scaling is not deceptive, minimizes white space.
Text and Axes
• Fonts are same size as text (axis labels can be one font size larger).
• Axes unbolded, first letter capitalized, units in parentheses with standard
abbreviations outside and parallel to axis.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Figure
Checklist
Captions and Legends
• No title in figure.
• Captions are below figures, contain additional information identifying figure
independently from rest of text, same text size as rest of text.
• Each figure is numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals.
• Legends are integrated into the caption or put on the figure with no
surrounding box in a place that does not obscure the data.
Use of Color
• Figure is in black and white (unless colour enhances presentation of the
science).
• Background is white, no grid lines on background (unless scientifically
necessary).
• Black/white contrast between symbols is maximized and choice of symbols
reflects organization of data (example: filled symbols with inhibitor, open
symbols without). Close shades of gray are avoided.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Table Checklist
Presentation of Data
• Columns ordered with independent variables on left, dependent variables on
right.
• Reads from left to right in progress of values.
• Frequently repeated values are placed in footnotes or the table title instead
of in table.
Text and Numbers
• Font same size and type as rest of text.
• All fonts the same in table.
• Text is (single/1.5) spaced and left-justified.
• Numbers aligned around decimal place.
• Lowercase (unless normally capitalized) letters used in column entries.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Table Checklist
Titles, Headings and Footnotes
• Title is above body of table, contains an identifier.
• Each table is numbered consecutively with Roman numerals.
• All columns have headings
• Column headings unbolded.
• Units after heading in parenthesis or directly below heading.
• Footnotes used to indicate specific information, all footnotes referenced in
table using superscripted italic letters placed beneath table in same font.
Size, Lines and Color
• Table is in black and white.
• Table conforms to page and column size limitations.
• Table contains the minimum white space possible.
• Tables contains only horizontal lines (generally one at top and bottom of
table and one below column headings).
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Text Checklist
Abbreviations
• Standard abbreviations are used (see ACS Style Guide for a list).
• “e.g.” “i.e.”, “vs.” and “etc.” are only used in captions, tables and
parenthesis, “for example”, “that is”, versus”, and “and so forth” are
used elsewhere.
• Greek letters are used for chemical and physical terms instead of the
corresponding spelled out words, For example, g-amino butyric acid.
• New abbreviations are not identical to any unit of measure, are not
able to be confused with element or group and do not hamper
readers’ understanding.
• Do not use same abbreviation for more than one spelled out form.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Text Checklist
Capitalization
The following items are capitalized:
• “figure”, “table”, “chart”, or “scheme” when they refer to a specific
numbered item.
• Genus names (when used as formal names).
• Main words: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, subordinate
conjunctions and english part of chemical descriptors in titles and headings.
The following items are not capitalized:
• Abbreviated units in titles or heading if ordinarily lowercase.
• Surnames that are units of measure unless otherwise indicated (see ACS Style
Guide).
• The locant, stereoisomer descriptor or positional prefix in a chemical name
unless otherwise indicated (see ACS Style Guide).
• "as" in titles when used as preposition.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Text Checklist
Typefaces
Italic type face is only used for the following purpose:
• To emphasize words or phrases. (Sparingly, not for long passages)
• Defining new words or terms when they appear in text for first time.
• Titles and abbreviation of periodicals, books and newspapers.
• Genus and species when used specifically.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Unit Checklist
• Metric and SI units are used wherever possible.
• Units of measure that accompany numerals are abbreviated (no
periods).
• There is a space between the number and the unit.
• Exception: %, $, angular degrees, minutes and seconds (°, ʼ, ʼʼ).
• Abbreviated compound units are written with a center dot or a space
between the units to indicate multiplication and a slash or negative
exponent for division.
• °C has no space between ° and C.
• The degree symbol is not used with kelvin temperatures.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Grammar Checklist
Grammar and Mechanics Checklist
• All words are spelled correctly.
• Commas, periods, colons, quotation marks, parentheses, dashes,
brackets and semicolons are used appropriately.
• Subjects and verbs all agree in number.
• No necessary verbs are omitted from the text.
• Restrictive (necessary to meaning of the sentence) and nonrestrictive
(adds information but not essential) expressions are used correctly.
• No dangling modifiers (a word or phrase that does not clearly and
logically modify another word in a sentence) are present.
• Appropriate tenses and voice are used for each statement in each
section.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Mathematical Checklist
• Numbers are included before and after a decimal point.
• Numerals for are used for expressions used in a mathematical sense.
• For very large or small numbers with units of measure, one of the
following is used:
•
•
scientific notation
an appropriate multiplying prefix to avoid numerals larger than four digits
• e or E are not used to mean “multiplied by the power of 10”.
• With items other than units of time or measure, words for cardinal
numbers less than 10 are used, numerals are used for 10 and above.
• Ordinals “first” through “ninth” are spelled out and numerals are
used for 10th or greater.
• When a sentence starts with a specific quantity, the number as well
as the unit of measure are spelled out, or the sentence is recast if
possible.
Honours Coursework 2013
2011
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Standard Deviation and Error
One of the following is selected:
• The deviation of the least significant digits is placed in parentheses
closed up to and following the main numeral.
• The deviation is preceded by a ± following the main numeral, with
spaces left on each side of the ±.