151113 Edanz Tokyo

Andrew Jackson Alan Purvis

Effectively Communicating Your Research

Tokyo Metropolitan University

13 November 2015

S

Be an effective communicator

Get published Get cited

Write effectively

Avoid common mistakes

Logically present your research in your manuscript

Write titles and abstracts that get attention

Prepare clear presentations

Effectively present your work to audiences

Improving readability

Section 1


Subject-verb placement

Readers expect verbs to closely follow the subject

Subject Verb


In this study, a titanium dioxide nanoparticle electrode for molecular sensing applications, having a high surface area and uniform porous structure, was synthesized using electrospray deposition.


What is the subject of the sentence?





What is the verb of the sentence?





What is the verb of the sentence?




Readers become confused when the subject and verb are separated by too much content


In this study, a titanium dioxide nanoparticle electrode was synthesized using electrospray deposition for molecular sensing applications. The electrode had a high surface area and uniform porous structure.

Avoid confusion by placing the subject and verb close to each other


Improving readability Active voice

Sentences written in the active voice are:

simple direct clear easy to read

The mechanisms regulating substrate rigidity were investigated.

Passive

We investigated the mechanisms regulating substrate rigidity.

Active


Active voice is preferred

“Use the active voice when it is less wordy and more direct than the passive”.

“Use the active voice rather than the passive voice…”.

“As a matter of style, passive voice is typically, but not always, inferior to active voice”.

“In general, authors should use the active voice…”

ACS Style Guide

APA Style

Chicago Style Guide

AMA Style

“Use active voice. The use of active rather than passive voice produces clearer, more concise writing”

SPE Style

“Wherever possible, use active verbs that demonstrate what is being done and who is doing it…”

ASCE Style

“Use active voice by default; research shows readers comprehend it more quickly than passive voice…”

IEEE

Improving readability Avoid reader confusion

Is this sentence in the active or passive voice?

In this study, a titanium dioxide nanoparticle electrode was synthesized, using electrospray deposition for molecular sensing applications.

Improving readability Avoid reader confusion

Is this sentence in the active or passive voice?

Passive voice




Lane et al. developed electrospray methods to enhance sensitivity.3

Avoid reader confusion

Part of the Introduction






Who did the work in this study?

The author ? Lane et al. ?





In this study, we synthesized a titanium dioxide nanoparticle electrode, using electrospray deposition for molecular sensing applications.


Nature’s guide to authors:

Nature is an international journal covering all the sciences. Contributions should therefore be written clearly and simply so that they are accessible to readers in other disciplines and to readers for whom English is not their first language.

www.nature.com/nature/authors/gta/index.html#a4

“I should use complex words to make my writing more impressive.”


To ascertain the efficaciousness of the program, we interrogated the participants upon completion.

Complex words


To ascertain the efficaciousness of the program, we interrogated the participants upon completion.

To determine the success of the program, we questioned the participants upon completion.

Complex words


Preferred Enough Clear Determine Try Size Keep Enough End Use

Avoid Adequate Apparent Ascertain Endeavor Magnitude Retain Sufficient Terminate Utilization

Complex words


Avoid At a concentration of 2 g/L At a temperature of 37C At a wavelength of 340 nm In order to In the first place Four in number Green color Subsequent to Prior to

Preferred At 2 g/L At 37C At 340 nm To First Four Green After Before

Unnecessary words


In the first place, in order to determine the critical point of the material, we incubated it at a

temperature of 95°C until it became black in color.

28 words

Unnecessary words


In the first place, in order to determine the critical point of the material, we incubated it at a

temperature of 95°C until it became black in color.

First, to determine the critical point of the material, we incubated it at 95°C until it became black.

28 words

18 words

Unnecessary words

Improving readability Use strong verbs

…estimation?

…decision?

…confirmation?

We made a…

Subject Verb

Still no idea what this sentence is about! …cake?

Improving readability Use strong verbs

We estimated…

We decided…

We confirmed…

We made a…

Subject Verb

Still no idea what this sentence is about! Clear and direct

Please improve the readability of the following sentences.

To ascertain whether our algorithm was correct, the simulation results were carefully analyzed with the appropriate methods.

As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the simulation results reported herein were accurate and thus the algorithm was effective.

Effective Writing



As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the simulation results reported herein were accurate and thus the algorithm effective.

Effective Writing

determine

passive

To determine whether our algorithm was correct, we analyzed the simulation results.

We analyzed the simulation results to determine whether our algorithm was correct.

Who determined it?



As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the simulation results reported herein were accurate and thus the algorithm effective.

Effective Writing

clear

It was clear that the simulation results were accurate and, thus, the algorithm was effective.

“were effective” implied

The simulation results were accurate; thus, the algorithm was effective.

Manuscript structure

Section 2

Coverage and Staffing Plan Introduction Introduction

Current state of the field

Background information

Specific aim/approach/contents Aim

Problem in the field

Previous studies

Current study

General

Specific Importance/hypothesis

Worldwide relevance? Broad/specialized?

Recent, International Not too many self-cites

Why is your study needed?

Coverage and Staffing Plan Introduction

Two-dimensional layered semiconducting chalcogenides (such as MoS2) have attracted attention because they have an intrinsically high carrier mobility, mechanical flexibility, and a finite bandgap. However, improvements for MoS2 transistors have been hampered by the presence of a Schottky barrier…

However, conventional thin-film materials limit the use of such thin-film transistors in flexible backplane-circuitry because of their fragility and relatively low mobility.

Discussing other studies

Problem in the field

Modified from: Lee et al. J Korean Phys Soc 2014; 64: L945–L948.

Published work to address problem

Current problem

Coverage and Staffing Plan Introduction

In this research, we investigated the high-temperature electrical behavior of a MoS2 transistor with a high Schottky barrier… High temperature leads to a larger thermionic emission that transports electrons over the energy barrier.

Aims

...hampered by the presence of a Schottky barrier…

Propose a solution to the current problem

Lee et al. J Korean Phys Soc 2014; 64: L945–L948.

Aims to address the problem

Coverage and Staffing Plan Introduction Common mistakes

in the Introduction

Ideas are not logically organized

Introduce topics that are not discussed later (Results/Discussion)

Not introduce important topics that are discussed later (topics introduced in the Discussion)

Cited studies are not up-to-date

Cited studies are geographically biased

Why study needs to be done?

Keep focused

Write last

<5 years

International

Coverage and Staffing Plan

Methods

How it was done

General methods Specific techniques (discuss controls)

Quantification methods Models/equations

Statistics

What was studied

Samples Materials

Equipment

How it was analyzed

Study design

Methods

Coverage and Staffing Plan

Methods

Established techniques

• Cite previously published studies • Briefly state modifications • Use flow chart/table if needed

• Explain purposes; justify choices • Give enough detail for reproducibility • Use Supplementary Information

Organization • Arrange in (titled) subsections • Keep parallel to the display items • Use topic sentences

New techniques

Methods/Experimental

Results and Discussion

1. Initial observation/synthesis 2. Characterization/development 3. Application

Each subsection corresponds to one figure/method

What you found, not what it means

Data accessibility

Logical presentation

Subsections

Factual description

What did you find?

Results

Results and Discussion Discussion

Summary of findings

Relevance

Conclusion

Similarities/differences Unexpected/negative results Limitations (validity, reliability)

Implications

Previous studies

Current study

Future studies

Specific

General

How do you advance your field?

Results and Discussion

Combined Results and Discussion

Results Interpretation

Figure 1


Figure 2


Figure 3


Figure 4

Initial observation

Logical presentation

Characterization

Application

Results and Discussion Linking your ideas

Improvements for MoS2 transistors have been hampered by the presence of a Schottky barrier.

We investigated the high-temperature behavior of the Schottky barrier of MoS2 transistors.

High-performance 2D multilayer MoS2 transistors with a slightly negative Schottky barrier can be

realized.

Problem

Objectives

Conclusion

Discussion

Introduction

Modified from: Lee et al. J Korean Phys Soc 2014; 64: L945–L948

Titles and abstracts Abstracts

First impression of your paper

Importance of your results

Validity of your conclusions

Relevance of your aims

Judge your writing style

Probably only part that will be read

Titles and abstracts Sections of an abstract

Aims

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Why the study was done

Your hypothesis

Techniques

Most important findings

Conclusion & implications

Concise summary of your research

Titles and abstracts Unstructured abstract

Conclusion Simulations are conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller under various road conditions and parameter uncertainties.

Results

The hybrid controller is based on the well-known feedback linearization, combined with two feedforward neural networks that are proposed so as to learn the nonlinearities of the antilock braking system associated with the feedback linearization controller. The adaptation law is derived based on the structure of the controller, using the steepest descent gradient approach and the backpropagation algorithm to adjust the network weights. The weight adaptation is online and the stability of the proposed controller in the sense of Lyapunov is studied.

Methods This paper presents an adaptive neural-network-based hybrid controller for antilock braking systems.

Background Antilock braking systems are designed to control the wheel slip, such that the braking force is maximized and steerability is maintained during braking. However, the control of antilock braking systems is a challenging problem due to nonlinear braking dynamics and the uncertain and time-varying nature of the parameters.

Modified from: Poursamad A. Mechatronics 2009; 19: 767–773.

Titles and abstracts Titles

Important points

Only main idea/s Accurate, simple Population/model Include keywords Fewer than 20 words Include method/

study type

Avoid

Unneeded words (“A study of”) Sensationalism, journalistic style Complex word order Abbreviations, jargon “New” or “novel”

Native English scientific writing style

Section 3

Avoid mistakes

Clarify pronouns (e.g., this, that, these, those, they, it)

Avoid mistakes 1

“Titania (TiO2) has been extensively investigated because of its practical prosperities for a diverse range of applications including pigments, photocatalysts, solar cells... It has three primary polymorphs in nature…”

“Titania (TiO2) has been extensively investigated because of its practical prosperities for a diverse range of applications including pigments, photocatalysts, solar cells... TiO2 has three primary polymorphs in nature…”

?

Avoid mistakes

Respectively is used for corresponding list items

The two values were 143 and 21, respectively.

The values for groups A and B were 143 and 21, respectively.

The two values were 143 and 21.

Avoid mistakes 2

Avoid mistakes

Compared with is for saying how things are different

The accuracy of the new program was reduced

compared to the previous program.

The accuracy of the new program was reduced compared with that of the previous program.

The accuracy of the new program was lower than that of the previous program.

Avoid mistakes 3

Avoid mistakes

Due to means “caused by” or “attributable to”

Due to the overly difficult test, most participants failed.

Owing to the overly difficult test,… Because the test was too difficult,…

The high failure rate was due to the test’s difficulty.

Avoid mistakes 4

Importance of presenting your work

Section 4

Customer Service Importance of presenting

Why are presentations important?

Share your published and unpublished findings

• Identify trends in the field • Get advice on future directions

• Form research collaborations • Network; meet editors

Improve paper from feedback; establish credibility as expert & gain readers/citers


Comparing articles and presentations

Articles Presentation

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Solution

Situation/Problem

Evaluation/Comment

Results

Q & A


Time

Flow of information

Not limited Readers can take

their time

Limited Limited attention

No control Readers can skip

sections

Control Audience has to

listen to everything

Articles Presentation

Comparing articles and presentations

Section 5

Presentation skills and tips


Keep your audience in mind

What do they want to know?

What do you want to tell them?

What will be interesting for them?

What will keep their attention?

Keep it simple!

Presentation skills and tips Telling a story

Beginning Why your study

needs to be done

Middle What you did and

found

End How your study

advances the field

Logical flow


Beginning of your presentation

Brief introduction

Background information

Objective and methodology

What is known

What is unknown

What is the problem

What are your aims

How will you address the aims

Describe general methodology

Presentation skills and tips Example

• Lumenal structures (bile canaliculi, BC) between hepatocytes are difficult to maintain in vitro

• Sandwich culture configurations promote BC maturation

• Biophysical mechanisms unclear

AIM: Determine if intracellular tension promotes or maintains BC maturation in vitro

Actomyosin Activity

Actomyosin Activity


Middle of your presentation

Methods

Flow chart or schematic

Figures

Important results

Presentation skills and tips Selecting important data

Kim et al. Micro and Nano System Letters. 2014;2:2.

Comparison between original and proposed switches

Side view of proposed folded hinge to help relieve stress, especially under higher temperatures

Presentation skills and tips Selecting important data

Kim et al. Micro and Nano System Letters. 2014;2:2.

Comparison between original and proposed switches

Side view of proposed folded hinge to help relieve stress, especially under higher temperatures

Original switch Proposed switch


Data aligned and formatted

Table formatting

Muñoz et al. New Engl J Med. 2003;348:518−527.

Clear and concise table caption

Abbreviations defined

Presentation skills and tips Is this a good table?

Alignment and formatting problems

Alignment of text

Alignment of parentheses

Alignment of decimals

Data similarity

Lines

Tumor size (mm3) before treatment Mean (±SD)

Tumor size (mm3) after treatment

Mean (±SD)

% decrease

Treatment time

Group 1 423.2 (6.23) 232.8 (3.18) 44.99 4 months

Group 2 286.43 (4.8) 157.32 (2.29) 45.08 14 weeks

Group 3 342.7 (6.88) 218.4 (5.2) 36.27 3.5 months

Group 4 404 (3) 302 (4.21) 25.247 90 days

Presentation skills and tips Making a good table

Tumor size (mm3) before

treatment Mean (±SD)


Mean (±SD)

% decrease

Treatment time

(weeks)

Group 1 423.20 (6.23) 232.80 (3.18) 44.99 16

Group 2 286.43 (4.80) 157.32 (2.29) 45.08 14

Group 3 342.70 (6.88) 218.40 (5.20) 36.27 14

Group 4 404.00 (3.00) 302.00 (4.21) 25.25 12

Tumor size (mm3) before treatment Mean (±SD)


Mean (±SD)

% decrease

Treatment time

Group 1 423.2 (6.23) 232.8 (3.18) 44.99 4 months

Group 2 286.43 (4.8) 157.32 (2.29) 45.08 14 weeks

Group 3 342.7 (6.88) 218.4 (5.2) 36.27 3.5 months

Group 4 404 (3) 302 (4.21) 25.247 90 days

Presentation skills and tips Tables vs. graphs

Type A Type B Type C

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Aluminum

Gold

Figure 1. Efficiency of various solar cell types using aluminum and gold electrodes

Effi

cien

cy (

%)

Which electrode gives a more efficient solar cell?


Figure 1. Efficiency of various solar cell types using aluminum and gold electrodes

Type A Type B Type C

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Aluminum

Gold

What is the highest efficiency achieved?

?

Effi

cien

cy (

%)


What is the highest efficiency achieved?

Table 1. Efficiency of solar cells using aluminum and gold electrodes


End of your presentation

Conclusions

Summary and implications

Future directions

How is this being further developed?

Presentation skills and tips Slide layout

Font

• Sans serif (Arial, Calibri, etc.) • 40 pt for titles • 30+ pt for major points • 24+ pt for minor points

Layout • Limit 8 lines of text per slide • Use bullet points, not sentences • High contrast colors


You should never write complete sentences like this on your slides. Therefore, try to use bullet points

instead to communicate your ideas to your audience. Bullet points are also a great way to list the main

points for your audience on the slide. However, it can also be boring for them as well. If this happens, you

can quickly lose the attention of your audience. As we discussed earlier, once you lose the attention of

your audience, your presentation is essentially over and you have not communicated the significance or

relevance of your work to them. Another problem with bullet points is that it might suggest hierarchy in

the list that you are sharing with your audience, which can be misleading for your audience. They may

assume that the first point is more important that the last point, when this may not necessarily be the case.

Lastly, having one large block of text to read takes more time for your audience and can be more difficult,

especially for non-native English attendees.

Serif font style (Times New Roman)

Font is too small (14 point)

Full sentences (unnecessary text)

Bullet points

Written as paragraph


Don’t let the audience read ahead

Focus the attention of your audience

Keep it simple: appear, fade, wipe

Don’t distract from your information!

Animation


Contrasting colors, easy to read

Simple and organized

For information, not decoration

For pictures, use compressed images

Distracting

Lack of contrast = difficult to read

Graphics

Lack of contrast = difficult to read

Presentation skills and tips Before you present…

Most important thing you can do…

Practice

Practice

Practice Learn your presentation,

don’t read it Don’t memorize,

these are your ideas

Practice alone and with others, record yourself

Practice builds confidence!


Presentation tips – Speaking style

Verbal

Avoid filler words (“eeto”)

Pause for emphasis

Speak slowly

Show enthusiasm

Vary tone and pitch

Don’t talk to the screen

Presentation skills and tips Answering questions

1. Understand the question

2. Clarify the question (if necessary)

3. Thank the audience member

4. Answer the question (be concise!)

5. Ensure you have answered the question

6. Thank the audience member again


Handling questions – Understand the question

Could you hear it clearly?

Do you understand the question?

Is the question appropriate for the audience?

Could the audience hear it clearly?

What do they want to know?

What is the most relevant question?


Unsure of the answer

You don’t know the answer

Unrelated questions

You are the expert, answer with confidence

Be honest, but give your expert opinion

Politely address the question

Handling questions – Understand the question


Additional tips – time management

Stay within your time limit

Use a clock, watch, or mobile phone

Rushing and skipping slides make you look unorganized

Practice often and keep track of each section

S

Be an effective communicator

Get published Get cited

Write effectively

Avoid common mistakes

Logically present your research in your manuscript

Write titles and abstracts that get attention

Prepare clear presentations

Effectively present your work to audiences

Thank you!

Any questions?

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Andrew Jackson: [email protected] Alan Purvis: [email protected]

Education

151113 Edanz Tokyo