From diploma to professorship
While there is a large selection of English-language literature on the subject of scientific work, there are hardly any German guides for the scientific field. It is therefore to be welcomed that the habilitated physicist Claus Ascheron has now written "The Art of Scientific Presentation and Publishing". The practical guide for young scientists is primarily aimed at young scientists in the early stages of their doctorate. Graduates with an interest in science can also feel addressed and receive tips on how to find a suitable doctoral topic and a supervisor.
The book begins with a rather general introduction to the academic world and deals with creativity and productivity as core competencies in the two introductory chapters. Chapter three is devoted in detail to scientific presentations, from the planning of a presentation to the design of slides or posters to the style of presentation and how to deal with stage fright. Here you will find useful tips for young scientists who still have little lecture experience.
In the fourth chapter, the author deals with the ethics of publishing and with scientific misconduct. The fifth chapter is ideally suited as a detailed checklist on the topic of publishing scientific articles. The next two chapters contain essays on electronic publishing and patents in science, and the concluding chapter contains tips on career planning.
While Asheron claims to be an expert in the core chapters of the guide, this is unfortunately not the case for the opening chapters. It is unfortunate that there are consistently no sources and no references to further literature. The psychological clues are often limited to personal recommendations, or there are general platitudes that sleep and fresh air are beneficial. On the topic of creativity, for example, there are excellent, generally understandable articles in the psychological specialist literature, so that the superficial presentation of the topic here is disappointing. On the other hand, it is pleasing that the practical guide deals with less common topics such as the ethics of publishing or online publishing.
This book is therefore unreservedly recommended for purchase by those who are looking for a comprehensible guide to the practice of presenting and publishing, or are unsure about whether to pursue an academic career.
