Reference books. Reference texts. Any scientific book you can find in the library. These tend to be littered with abbreviations.
I was just in my school’s library today, and to do up a paper I had to do a little bit of searching for information. I had the following experience:
“…what does this stand for…” *flips a page in front* “… AGAIN.. what does it stand for…” *flips more pages* “… no!??” *throws (puts) book back on shelf* (well I actually found the answer but that’s just for dramatic effect).
Sad to say and (not) sorry to hurt your ego… but to all the scientific writers out there, PhDs (permanent head damage?) especially,
NO ONE. Repeat – NO ONE.
Is going to read your book cover-to-cover when searching for information. What we need is facts, fast. Facts, fast. Facts, fast.
So include a TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS USED. A detailed table of contents helps, too.
Edit: I should clarify that “permanent head damage” is a nasty stereotype and rightly so because some of the professors I’ve encountered have the unfortunate mix of having a PhD title and being in general very bad with people or students, BUT that does not apply to all professors. I absolutely adore (I like the alliteration) and respect some of mine.
4 responses so far ↓
-ben // Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 12:35 pm |
Well, your university’s library is pathetic. Understandable. Heck, your university can’t even spell correctly.
http://tomorrow.sg/archives/2007/07/24/ntu_cocks_up_its_advertisement.html
Eat your own words, “I see no worth in it, nor in you.”
Get a refund on your eDUHcation.
Ta!
Ambrose // Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 8:27 am |
Thank you very much for the advice, but I did not think I needed it, even if you had felt a compelling need to dish it out. I have my own constraints and reasons for being where I am now.
Also, I do hope you’ve been brave enough to leave a real e-mail address.
But thanks for the link though, I could use that as some fodder for this blog.
-ben // Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 1:48 pm |
Ah, bravery = email address?
Since when?
How about bravery = a shot of your ugly mug?
That way, we can easily recognize the other when we inevitably run into each other on this shitty island.
Ta!
P.S. oh, the link? You are most welcome!
Ambrose // Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 2:08 pm |
Check the latest post, entitled: As Requested, for ‘-ben’.
Edit: Oh btw, this probably doesn’t matter now given the direction the comments were going, but it’s related to the post and the first comment: I wasn’t in NTU’s library, or libraries since it has more than one, but in one halfway around the globe, since I’m on exchange.