DOI: 10.2478/ats-2013-0026 AGRICULTURA TROPICA ET SUBTROPICA, 46/4, 143, 2013
Book Review
Scientific Writing for Young Astronomers, Part 2. Editor: Christiaan Sterken, EAS Publications
Series, Volume 50, 2011. ISBN 978-2-7598-0639-3
reflected in the text and selection of references (going back
to the year of 1731). Design types of graphs are shown and
explained, 3-D surfaces, drawings and cartoons. Computer
graphics and photographs follow. A detailed section on
elements of a graphical image is another source of important
information. Image quality with its multiple aspects and
handling the colour are presented. Another specific issue
treated is graphical excellence and its principles, and
stressing the repeated revision procedures. Various forms of
lying with graphics are included as an important warning for
beginners in the field. This part is followed by 16 pages of
illustrative selected colour graphics.
The third paper (Writing a Scientific Paper III. Ethical
Aspects, 109 pages) perfectly reflects the absurdities of the
present situation in science worldwide. In science we are
looking for truth. But in the post-modern era the pressures of
commercial influences upon academic freedom in research
are so enormous that the academic integrity is too often
challenged and seriously threatened. Therefore this paper
deals in great detail with problems such as bibliometric
indicators and their true values; all forms of scientific
misconduct on the part of authors, reviewers but also
editors and publishers are revealed, numerous examples and
reflections given. A section on whistleblowing is included
as well. The author selected 171 pertinent references that
illustrate his points. There are suggestions how to remedy
the various situations.
The entire text is prepared with great care, optically well
arranged citations in the text, boxes, tables, lists of points.
Headings used in the text are attractive and inventive
(e.g.,What to avoid at all price, Drowning in acronyms,
How can truth and value ever survive?). The book leaves
the reader with much food for thought, and with numerous
valuable recipes. It is written in a palatable style, never
boring and it should attract young readers. It should find
its way to institutional and personal library shelves in both
developing and developed countries.
The purpose of book reviews is to inform potential
readership about a new publication. However, this one
appeared two years ago. One may ask why do you write and
publish a review now? And why do it in a journal so far
from astronomy? There are good reasons for doing so. The
book is a result of lectures for Ph.D. students, a Scientific
Writing for Young Astronomers School, organized in 2008
and 2009 by the French Edition, Diffusion, Publication
(EDP) of Sciences. The Editor and author of the three papers
presented in this book, is Christiaan Sterken, Research
Director, Belgian Fund for Scientific Research.
After a Preface and List of acronyms, the first part (Writing
a Scientific Paper I. The Writing Process, 59 pages) deals
in detail with questions such as why do scientists write and
why do they publish. The author points out the differences
between printed paper and oral communication, presents
the categories of scientific papers from a regular research
paper in a peer reviewed journal to “data only” papers and
essays, but also the categories reflecting the publications
pressures that result in salami papers (the least publishable
units), hoaxes (fabricated papers), duplicate papers and
grey literature. The language of scientific communication is
stressed and the language traps connected with translations
and transliterations highlighted. Due attention is given to
correct writing of references with several partly amusing
examples and consequences of their careless preparation.
An important part for young scientists, the art of reading
is included as well. Writing the individual parts of paper,
who is an author, what is honorary authorship, copyright,
communication with editors, reviewers, and many other
burning questions and problems are presented with examples
gathered by the authors´ lifelong experience in all roles
involved in the publishing process.
The second part (Writing a Scientific Paper II.
Communication by Graphics, 105 pages) is devoted to
Communication by Graphics, explaining elements of
visual communication, showing the principles of scientific
graphics, when and how to use them. In this paper, the
authors´ deep knowledge of history comes to the fore,
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Eva Baranyiova
Unauthenticated
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