Scientific Writing Links

I've compiled these links after long hours of web surfing. Check them out. You may find something of use. Please remember that all internet sources are mutable and that some links may be dead, altered greatly, or just plain unreliable. If you find a dead link, or if you want to add a link of your own, contact me.

Click on a link below to go to:



Style Guides, General Writing Tips

AAA Style Guide
The official standards for documentation, in publications authorized by the American Anthropological Association.  Within the page is a publication (in .pdf format) that lists all the guidelines.

ACS Style Guidelines
Rules for documenting sources in chemistry publications, from the Chemistry Library at the Unviersity of Wisconsin-Madison.

AIP Style Manual, 4th Edition
Downloadable version of the manual from the American Institute of Physics.

ASA Style Guide
From the California State University-Los Angeles.  It descibes the manuscript, citation, and reference formats from the American Sociological Association.

APA Documentation
From the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a series of web pages detailing the practices/formats specified by the American Psychological Association.  

CSE (formerly CBE) Citation Guide
Brief guide to style for bibliographic references and in-text citations, written by the Council of Science Editors.  From the Ohio State University Libraries.  Not extensive, and slightly out of date; however, a quick introductory guide.

ICMJE Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals
Guidelines for reference format used by a vast number of medical journals, including that of the American Medical Association.  Includes sample references.  From the International Council of Medical Journal Editors; see their home page for information about citations, manuscripts, etc.

Geological Society of America - Geology Guidelines
Brief guide to GSA standards for published documents.  Several facets of documentation style are described, including a few reference models.  There are many links addressing various publication information. 

Journal Access Links
Professor Dubin's extensive list of online journals.  Covers 1700 full-text journals in several subjects, including science.

MedBioWorld
Cyberspace's largest collection of scientific communication information--35,000 links to publishers, journals, associations, databases.

SciText Cambridge
Principles for writing a scientific document that is well-structured at every logical level. Some tips on the use of English in science writing are included. Administrated by a large-scale British editing firm.

Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Writing advice, grammar help, and referrals to other information sources; downloadable handouts.

Science Writing Aids
Chemistry-oriented site from Indiana University's ChemInfo network.  Lots of links to software tutorials, bibliographies, reference guides.

University of Colorado Libraries
Online resources including indexes, databases, and useful tutorials.

WPA Statement on Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism
Official statement on plagiarism from one of the nation's largest organizations of writing program adminstrators.  Useful for students who want to avoid accusations of plagiarism.

WriteLink
CU's online center for writing resources.  Many links to pages with information on writing in the sciences. 

Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students
Discussion of common documents, stylistic standards, and general writing help. From Virginia Tech University.

Scientific Writing Journals and Professional Organizations
Council of Scientific Editors
The largest professional body of editors, publishers, and writers in the life sciences. Includes publications and job listings.

Health and Science Communication Association
An international organization representing professionals in biomedical communications. Many information resources on the website.

Across the Disciplines
An online journal dedicated to research on writing in the academic disciplines, and professional communication standards.


Graduate Programs in Scientific Writing and Communication

Please note that I make no endorsements of any of these programs.  However, all of them list scientific writing and/or communication as one possible emphasis in a graduate degree program.  Contact the schools for the best information.

Clemson University - MA in Professional Communication

Colorado State University - MS in Technical Communication

Drexel University - MS in Communication

Johns Hopkins University - MA in Science/Medical Writing

Michigan Technological University - MS in Rhetoric and Technical Communication

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia - MS in Biomedical Writing


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