Publishing and Presenting Scientific Findings

Your scientific work will not be complete unless you have published and presented your research results in order to disseminate the findings. Despite the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, this chapter will guide you through the typical steps involved in sharing your discoveries. In spite of the differences between presenting your data at a conference and publishing a paper, the goals are essentially the same in both situations: a clear and accurate presentation of meaningful research findings to the scientific community and society. By participating in these activities, researchers have the opportunity to share their discoveries and add to or correct the existing body of knowledge. In addition, researchers can participate in scientific discourse and receive feedback about their research. Surprisingly, the communication of scientific findings by presentation and publication is rarely addressed formally in educational programs. This chapter discusses the importance of publishing and presenting scientific findings and best practices for the dissemination of research findings.