Doing Science offers a rare compendium of practical advice based on how working scientists pursue their craft. It covers each stage of research, from formulating questions and gathering data to developing experiments and analyzing results and finally to the many ways for presenting results. Drawing on his extensive experience both as a researcher and a research mentor, Ivan Valiela has written a lively and concise survey of everything a beginning scientist needs to know to succeed in the field. He includes chapters on scientific data, statistical methods, and experimental designs, and much of the book is devoted to presenting final results. He gives valuable suggestions for improving scientific writing, for preparing scientific talks, and devotes three chapters to hands-on advice for presenting data in charts, tables, and graphs. Anyone beginning a scientific career, or anyone who advises students in research, will find Doing Science an invaluable source of advice.

1. Obtaining Scientific Information 2. Elements of Scientific Data and Tests of Questions 3. Statistical Analyses 4. Principles of Research Design 5. Communication of Scientific Information: Writing 6. The Scientific Paper 7. Other Means of Scientific Communication 8. Presenting Data in Tables 9. Presenting Data in Figures 10. Case Studies of Graphical Data Presentation 11. Perceptions and Criticisms of Science Index

Ivan ValielaProfessor of Biology, Boston University Marine Program, Marine Biological Laboratory

"Valiela (Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts) has prepared a 'how to' book for graduate students or scientists just beginning their careers. It is packed with solid information on how to conduct a research project, starting with the initial grant proposal and ending with publishing the results. Topics include statistical analysis of data, design of a research question, communication of results with graphs, tables, and figures, and making an oral presentation. ... Amply illustrated to make the author's points, this book will be a valuable addition to both the library's bookshelves and scientist's personal reference library. Upper-division undergraduates and up."--Choice |k No