Değerli KBT Bilim Sitesi okuyucuları, bu yazımızda İngilizce redaksiyon alanında hizmet veren sponsorumuz Editage‘in araştırmacılar için hazırladığı bir makaleye yer vereceğiz. Bu makalede, bir araştırma çalışmasının bitiminde bir araştırmacı için sonraki en önemli ve zaman alıcı görev bu bilimsel çalışmayı uygun bir şekilde yazmak ve yayına hazır hâle getirmektir. Bilimsel araştırma verilerinin etkili ve tam olarak sunulması bir bilimsel yayının en önemli anahtar etmenidir. Bilimsel bilginin uygun bir akış ile yazar/araştırmacı tarafından net, kesin ve etkili bir dille sağlanması gerekir. Bilimsel bir makalenin yazılmasında bazı kritik olan faktörler vardır. Bunlar istatistikler, tablolar, şekiller, bilimsel gösterim ve isimlendirmeler, semboller ve noktalamalar olarak sıralanabilir.
Tüm bunları şu başlıklar altında Editage uzmanları ele almışlar:
- Virgül ve parantezlerin ne zaman kullanılır
- Etkin bir şekilde tablo kullanımı
- Anlaşılır şekiller hazırlamak
- Doğru sembollerin, özellikle de derece işareti ve çarpma sembolünün kullanımı
- Uygun başlıklar seçmek
- Tirenin dikkatli kullanımı
- Maddeli listelemeler
Yazımızın bundan sonraki kısmı ise İngilizce olarak devam edecektir.
Often researchers—ESL (English-as-a-second-language) authors in particular—approach scientific editing or proofreading services to help them prepare a publication-ready manuscript. An experienced editor can help you improve the quality of your manuscript and meet. However, before you send your manuscript to an editor or service provider for scientific editing or scientific proofreading, taking certain measures will help the editor spend quality time on your manuscript instead of focusing on minor corrections. Here are seven areas every researcher should focus on while writing a manuscript.
1. Know when to use commas and brackets
Commas and brackets are often misused or overused. The secret lies in using commas when you do not want to disrupt the flow of information and let the extra information blend smoothly with the text. Use brackets when the information is incidental and not very critical but will help readers build context to the information.
For more on commas and brackets, refer to this article: http://www.editage.com/insights/quick-tips-on-using-commas-brackets-and-dashes.
2. Use tables effectively
Tables enhance the quality of scientific manuscripts. Follow these general guidelines when preparing tables:
- Combine tables: Tables with repetitive information hinder communication. If you have included any repetitive tables, combine, delete, or revise them to ensure that there is no repetition.
- Divide large data: Sometimes tables contain large amounts of data. Divide such content into clear categories and indicate them prominently. Writing effective and descriptive column headings is a good strategy for data-heavy tables.
- Watch the extent of data in your tables: If your tables are extensive or look cluttered, consider including them into the appendix or as supplemental material.
- Remove the clutter: Ensure that the columns and rows in your table are sufficiently spaced out and the layout does not appear messy.
For detailed guidelines on using tables and figures, read: http://www.editage.com/insights/how-to-use-figures-and-tables-effectively-to-present-your-research-findings.
3. Prepare clear figures
Follow the guidelines listed below to prepare effective figures for your scientific manuscript:
- Image clarity: Ensure that all parts of the figure are clear, the font used is standard, the labels are legible, and that the images are sharp.
- Use legends: Use legends to draw attention to the central message of the figure and to explain any abbreviations or symbols you may have used.
- Label all important parts: All the key sections and parts of visual material should be labeled clearly.
- Include details: Include scale bars in images and maps; specify units wherever quantities are listed; include legends in maps and schematics; and specify latitudes and longitudes on maps.
For detailed guidelines on using tables and figures, read: http://www.editage.com/insights/how-to-use-figures-and-tables-effectively-to-present-your-research-findings.
4. Use accurate symbols, especially degree sign and multiplication symbol
While writing, researchers often use a superscripted “o” or “O” instead of using the degree symbol (°) or the lowercase “x” or capital “X” instead of the multiplication sign (×). This is risky because in some fonts this may appear as a typographical error. It is also possible that your formatting may be lost when the word-processor files you submit to a journal are imported into a page layout software.
To know more about this read http://www.editage.com/insights/using-the-correct-symbols-the-degree-sign-and-the-multiplication-sign.
5. Punctuate headings appropriately
When the text under a heading begins on a separate line, do not punctuate the heading with a colon or full stop.
For more on punctuating headings, read http://www.editage.com/insights/omit-colons-and-full-stops-after-headings.
6. Use hyphens with caution
Hyphens help authors emphasize or add to the information they are presenting. Avoid accidental hyphens (those that occur at the end of a line of text) by decreasing the margins or changing the content slightly, left-aligning all your text, or turning hyphenation off.
7. Capitalization in bulleted lists:
In a bulleted list, capitalization of each item depends on the text or punctuation mark before the item. If you are submitting your manuscript to a journal, check the journal’s style manual or refer to existing style manuals for your field.
For more on casing for lists of items, refer to http://www.editage.com/insights/lists-of-bullet-points-capitalization
Checking your paper yourself one last time before you submit it to your editor will help you prepare a better, well-finished manuscript. Following the above mentioned steps will not only improve the quality of your paper but also build your skills as a writer.
