From the student’s desk: Notes on preparing an article for a Scientific Journal

The title:

The author should remember that the title will be read by perhaps thousands of people but few, if any, will read the entire paper. Each word must therefore be chosen with care. Abstracting and indexing services rely on the accuracy of the title; an improperly titled paper may be lost and never reach its intended audience. The terms in the title should be limited to those words which highlight the significant content of the article in words that are both understandable and retrievable. The author should ask: “how would I look for this kind of information in an index?”

The abstract:

The abstract is a summary of the article. It should: (1) state the principal objectives and scope of the investigation; (2) describe the methodology employed; (3) summarize the results; and (4) state the principal conclusions reached. It should not give any information or conclusion that is not stated in the paper. The primary purpose of the abstract is to enable readers to identify the basic content of the article quickly and accurately, and to determine its relevance to their interests. Abstracts must not contain information which is meaningless without referring to the text. Do not refer to illustrations and tables. It is sensible to write the abstract after you have written the paper.  Some journals (not all) require you to include a list of keywords at the end of the abstract.

The introduction:

A good introduction will contain the following: (1) it should present in clear outline the nature and scope of the problem investigated; (2) it should give the hypothesis being investigated; (3) it should give the motivation for doing the research and the background knowledge that is considered essential for the reader to understand the paper; (4) it might explain why the problem was studied; (5) it should briefly review the pertinent literature; (6) it should briefly state the method of investigation; (7) it should give the principal results of the investigated.

Materials and Methods:

In this section the author should give enough detail that a competent worker can repeat the experiments described. The careful writing of this section is critically important because scientific convention requires that your results be reproducible- thus you must provide the means for another researcher to reproduce your experiments.

If your method is new, you must give all the needed details. If the method has been published previously in a primary journal, you need give only the literature reference. If you modified procedure, describe what you did that was new. State whatever statistical procedures you used on your results.

Results:

There are two kinds of components of the results section. First, you should present the data. Secondly, you should give some overall description of the experiments (providing the ‘big picture’). Since the entire paper must stand or fall on the basis of the results, they must be presented with great clarity, succinctness and, as far as possible, simplicity. Describe on the most efficient and logical way of showing your findings, and avoid duplication. Do not describe in detail in the text what is obvious from the table or figure. If tables or figures tell the main story, the text need mention only the highlights. It is sometimes sensible to state what you did not find under the conditions of your experiment.

Discussion:

This is often the hardest section to write. Many are too long and verbose. Apart from the abstract, it is the section that most influences an editor when first examining a paper. The essential features of a good discussion are: (1) try to present the principals, relationships and generalizations shown by the results. (2) You should state whether the data support they hypothesis being tested. (3) You point out any exceptions or any lack of correlation among your results and define unsettled matters. (4) Show how your results and interpretations agree (or contrast with) previously published work. (5) Discuss the theoretical implications of your work, as well as any possible practical applications. (6) State your conclusions (and possibly summarize your evidence for each conclusion.

Literature citations:

Only significant, published works should be cited. References to unpublished data, papers in dissertations, in press, thesis and other secondary materials are often not acceptable and generally should be cited only sparingly or not at all.

Check all parts of every reference against the original publication. Because there are variations among journals in the way literature is cited, the researcher should write out literature references in full on index cards (or some other convenient, retrievable source) at the time they are consulted; it is then easy to edit this information subsequently, when required to do so for purpose of publication.

Please note that the above article was taken out the FRD Programme Series No 22, June 1995 by Dr G. Baker. Foundation for Research Development, University Development Programme, Pretoria

Our road trip to the DST Ministerial Imbizo in rural KuGatyana

It was a lovely warm Sunday afternoon in Grahamstown when Nozi, Garth, Ryan and I embarked on our trip to KuGatyana (Willowvale) for the DST Ministerial Imbizo. The Department of Science and Technology held a Public Participation Programme at which Minister Naledi Pandor handed over a mobile science laboratory to the chief of the area, Nkosi Ngenyathi Dumalisile. As a Research Institute of the NRF, SAIAB together with other organisations under the NRF and the DST, were invited to exhibit.

We all hopped on the SAIAB EduBus and Nozi took the wheel. We took the Port Alfred coastal route to avoid the road works on the inland Peddie route. Just as we passed Port Alfred Ryan offered to help with the driving while Garth and I were only too happy to sit in the back and enjoy the ride.

None of us knew how to get to the venue of the Imbizo. Thanks to Garth’s iphone we were able to find our way there. The plan was to set up our exhibition then go to the Kob Inn where we were booked for the night. When we arrived we looked for the SAIAB stand, only for the security guard to tell us we didn’t have a designated stand but we could come back in the morning and see if any other exhibitors failed to pitch up and take one of their spots. We politely agreed with him but decided rather to take the biggest open space we could find. We began offloading all the material. The Marquee was set up on uncut grass and after 15 minutes of struggling to set up the banners and four rather opinionated individuals deciding on where a banner should go, we eventually decided on the general layout of the exhibition and left for Kob Inn. We drove about 30 km on a gravel road to our destination. The resort was beautiful from what one could see in the dark. The old man at the security entrance seemed oddly happy at our arrival. As he showed us to the reception area he asked Nozi and I, “Nini abo ooMphathiswa?” (Are you the ministers?), we laughed and said no. Apparently he was instructed that the ministers would be arriving around 10pm. We arrived at reception, and shown to our rooms and were to meet at 5:50 am the following morning. Despite the fact that there was no cell phone signal, nowhere to charge my phone, I don’t have a watch and I’m a late sleeper, we managed to leave the resort at 6am to head back to the venue.

We were some of the first people to arrive. Angus arrived just as we were about to finish setting up. He stayed for about 20 minutes walking up and down and disappeared, came back 10 minutes later and whispered “Guys there’s breakfast in the tent across the street.” Our timing at the tent was perfect because we got there just as all the dignitaries were arriving at the Chief’s Palace, where the tent was set up. Among them were the Minister of DST, Naledi Pandor, Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty, Director General of the DST, Phil Mjwara, Advisor to the Minister, MEC of Social Development in the Eastern Cape, MEC of Education, Mandla Makupula, District Mayor of Amathole, Nomasikizi Konza,  and the Municipal Mayor of Willowvale.

People started pouring in around 9am and the event started approximately an hour late. It would appear that we picked a good spot for our eye catching exhibition: The coelacanth model and bottled specimens were crowd pullers.  The SAIAB stand was a hit, not only with the learners, but also with the ministers. Nozi was great with the kids - communicating science in IsiXhosa really captured the audience. An old man adorned in IsiXhosa attire was particularly interested in what we do with the fish. We later discovered he was actually the father of the Chief. After things calmed down with the kids, the ministers visited the exhibitions. Angus jokingly said, “Ok guys you’re up.” As we turned our heads, Deputy Minister, Surty, together with Phil Mjwara approached our stand. Angus introduced us and Phil Mjwara asked if I would be able to tell him what SAIAB is about in three minutes.  After what seemed like  less than two minutes, he said, “The minister has to hear this,” and walked away. A second or so later he came back with her and introduced me. I froze for about a second. I thought of the previous Thursday when Angus walked into my office and asked if I wanted to meet the minister. I didn’t think it would actually happen. This was my time to shine, as nervous as I was, I had to impress.

I was impressed that she recalled having visited SAIAB for the opening of the Margaret Smith Library. We actually had a full conversation. She asked what I was doing at SAIAB, what my field of studies are and was particularly interested in the activities of the ACEP Phuhlisa Programme. After about five minutes, she went onto Garth who told her more about ACEP Phuhlisa. We were very lucky to be located where we were because all the dignitaries went into the tent straight from our exhibition without visiting the other exhibitions.

The programme was kicked off by a vibrant Master of Ceremonies. The minister was introduced by Phil Mjwara and I was surprised to learn that she is the granddaughter of Z.K. Matthews (a famous political activist who proposed the idea of the Congress of the People and the Freedom Charter to the ANC in the early 1950’s). She spoke of the general state of the education system and the unacceptable challenges faced by schools in rural areas. She officially handed over the mobile lab to the chief indicating that the department is donating eight instead of one mobile lab. The Department of Basic Education together with the Department of Science and Technology jointly donated text books and scientific calculators to surrounding schools. After all the speeches had been made, the show began: the Amakhosikazi Bobumbani come on stage and dressed the minister in traditional IsiXhosa attire. This was followed by a performance by old men and woman doing a traditional Xhosa dance and two more dance items.

After the programme ended, we had a long debate about whether we should stay an extra night or make our way back to Grahamstown. Nozi eventually won the debate and we made our way back home. I was much quieter on our way back. Garth was convinced I was still on cloud nine about having spoken to the minister - maybe he was right. It was an amazing/ overwhelming/… experience!

 

 

 

SAIAB High Intensity (futsal*) Training Programme

 

SAIAB Ladies team with then couch Sherwyn Mack

 SAIAB is an institute with a high number of young(ish) staff, students and interns who have, for some time, bemoaned the lack of some or other form of extramural engagement to burn up some of that youthful energy and provide an opportunity for us to mingle outside of the workplace. One answer to this call has come in the form of the SAIAB Men’s and Ladies’ Soccer teams that have been organised by the recently formed SAIAB High Intensity (futsal*) Training programme (S.H.I.(f.)T.). Other sports codes that may be considered by the programme, should enough interest be shown, include Night Bowls and Cricket.

 Interest in both teams has steadied substantially after a very shaky start and is reflected in training attendance and subsequently also in the results. The men’s team even boasts several international signings including two trans-Limpopo attackers and an Austrian midfielder in the form of visiting researcher Franz Ublein who has shown great enthusiasm, skill and experience. (In fact, Franz was one of those encouraging the formation of a soccer team in a previous visit to SAIAB in March.)

A mention must definitely go to the ladies’ team who, after going down 11-1 in their first game, recovered to concede a total of only 9 goals in all of their subsequent matches. Well done ladies, your improvement is due to practice, improved defence and killing the goat.

The men’s team won their first game recently with an effortless 2-0 over Cullen Bowels House. The leading scorer so far is Mandla Magoro.

 Developments in the running of the teams are that a coach and assistant coach have been appointed in Ndiviwe “Igesund” Baliwe and Bafo “Aag shame Pitso” Konqobe. The Political Liaison and Propaganda Officer is Nonceba “Goebbels” Mhlauli. An honorary member of S.H.I.(f.)T. is Director Angus Paterson since, in a show of support, SAIAB management has agreed to sponsor full team kit and a braai in celebration of every victory. (Please?) OK, the director has agreed to co-fund kit and has availed one SAIAB bakkie to take the ladies home after matches which often end around 21:00 on Fridays.

 It is envisioned that the programme will reside within the Wellness Committee and we would welcome any input regarding the soccer teams or other sports codes and suggestions. And of course sponsors. Sponsors are always welcome. Really.

 The next game will be on 19 September for the gents and 21 September for the Ladies. Fixtures are on the noticeboard and will be updated regularly. Certain results may also be posted on the noticeboard occasionally. Hopefully. Feel free to join the S.H.I.(f.)T. Fan Club and attend matches anytime. Thanks to the Fans, including the Director, who have already come to cheer the teams.

By Sherwyn C. Mack

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and will never ever be supported by anybody.)

*Futsal is small court soccer played indoors or, in our case, using indoor rules.

Prof Skelton joins the Distinguished Old Rhodians

Prof Skelton and Rhodes University Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Sizer Mabizela

Prof Paul Skelton was one of five distinguished Old Rhodians who received awards from the University on Saturday 25^th August. “The ceremony on Saturday was a warm and pleasant occasion and a chance to catch up with some old friends and colleagues.  It was also a chance to reflect on Rhodes and the people and events that make it special for me,”- Professor Paul Skelton said after the ceremony.

Prof Skelton arrived at Rhodes University in 1967 for his Bachelors of Sciences (BSc) and subsequently continued to do his Honours, and Doctoral degree.   

“My interest in Ichthyology is rooted in two individuals - Professor Brian Allanson and Dr Rex Jubb. Prof Allanson was the first of my lecturers when I arrived at Rhodes (he delivered the 'cell biology 101' course in those days). What I remember above everything else was the lexicon of biology, something I had never before experienced and it left me feeling rather 'naked and cold' (i.e. uncomfortable in the extreme). This was exacerbated by the fact that my hearing was so bad I did not actually have a clue what all those big words were, never mind how they were spelt! It was catchup all the way from there,” he says.

Prof Skelton shares memories of some of his experiences with Prof Allanson. “I recall a mix of experiences like going to Lake Sibaya on more than one occasion - and having some typical student mishaps en route (like leaving researchers stranded in the lake when piloting the boat (Sibaya) that was towing them on diving surveys of the inshore habitats!). He continues, “I always felt the wind of support from Prof Allanson at my back - and for this I am deeply grateful and appreciative. I do believe that his own strong sense of values including courage (to face tough issues and situations), vision to know where one is going and what it will take to get there, and belief in doing what is right for the right reasons is what Institutional leadership is all about.”

Dr Rex Jubb, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Rhodes in 1970, was the one who introduced Prof Skelton to systematic Ichthyology. “Although Rex Jubb was the one who mentored me, there were other individuals who also had a considerable impact in my life - my lecturers and supervisors, Drs Tom Fraser and Rick Winterbottom and Professor Mike Bruton who was a great thinker and an inspiration for what can be done”, he says.

Prof Skelton took over from Prof Mike Bruton as Director of the Institute when it was still the JLB Institute of Ichthyology in 1994 and continued as Managing Director in 1999 when it became a National Research Facility under the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB). He retired in 2011. “I spent my whole professional life at this institute, from when it was the JLB institute of Ichthyology to it becoming a National Facility. Being part of the process of growth and organising from the very beginning,” he says.   Prof Skelton is also one of the founding members of the FFSG and is currently the regional Vice-Chair for Southern Africa. Prof Skelton also worked very closely with the IUCN SSC over the last 5-6 years to lead the freshwater biodiversity assessment of Southern Africa (link to the report: http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2009-003.pdf).

The Distinguished Old Rhodian Award irecognises Old Rhodians who, through their individual actions and achievements, have enhanced the reputation of the University.

Professor Alan Whitfield together with Penny Haworth from SAIAB nominated Prof Skelton for the award. According to Prof Whitfield, Prof Skelton has guided and grown the Institute through its transition from a Declared Cultural Institution under the Department of National Education into a National Facility in the Department of Science & Technology - “Indeed, I think it is safe to say that without Paul’s dynamic leadership during the turbulent transition period for National Museums between 1994 and 1999, it is a distinct possibility that the Institute would not exist today and that Rhodes University would be considerably poorer as a result. The Award is also intended to acknowledge Old Rhodians as role models and in Prof Paul Skelton’s case he has been an exemplary role model to staff and students at both SAIAB and Rhodes, and is also a highly respected member of the wider Grahamstown community.” Dr William Darwell who was one of the motivators for the award said he considers Prof Skelton to be one of the most dedicated and effective campaigners for conservation of freshwater fishes. In congratulating one of his former students, Prof Brian Allanson sent his warmest wishes to Prof Skelton and congratulated him on the Distinguished Rhodian award. “Greatly deserved and really a singular honour for the University as well,” he said.

 What does the award mean to Prof Skelton? “I think the award recognises those who have done something worthwhile with the education they’ve received because education goes far beyond what you learn in the lecture room, it’s the whole experience. The university’s motto is “Where Leaders Learn”- which is very inspiring because you are putting emphasis on leadership development which is something I’ve sought to do in my years as the MD of SAIAB,” he says.  “Leadership development is something I’ve always held close to my heart- you can make a difference.

 Where to from here? He says - “You reach points in your life where you make major changes; retirement from employment has been one of those changes for me. For me this has been an interesting change because it’s an end of your formal employment and this choice of what to do with your own time is not always easy to decide.”

“You ask yourself, how can I contribute constructively in a manner that gives me fulfilment? That requires much hard work. The challenge is to become constructive and worthwhile. I find fulfilment through giving back to young people and to the university without any expectation of having to do so. In order to be meaningful, you make conscious decisions. Nothing worthwhile is achieved through giving up- sometimes you’ve got to just knuckle down and do it.” Prof Skelton still lectures and supervisors students at SAIAB and at the University. 

One of the things I’ve always wanted to achieve was to make SAIAB a place people enjoyed working at. In effect, to make SAIAB an extended family and, since retiring I haven’t left the family. SAIAB has been very welcoming and I have enjoyed interacting with staff not as the boss but as a part of the family,” he says with a smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woman’s Month Feature- Taryn Bodill

Although she had only been at SAIAB for a little over a year, in June 2012 Taryn Bodill received a Special Award for her contribution to the maintenance and development of the Molecular Laboratory. The Molecular Laboratory provides a platform for the study of aquatic biodiversity at the molecular level, particularly at the DNA level. In 2005 a store room and adjoining dark room were adapted to provide a temporary laboratory in which a small team of researchers and students at SAIAB could conduct research in the field of genetics.

 Since then the number of researchers and students using the laboratory has grown considerably and as a result, a new laboratory was purpose-built in 2011 to cope with the added demand.

Jumping in at the deep end, Taryn found herself responsible for the management of the temporary lab which she describes as one of the most challenging experiences of her life. As Senior Molecular Laboratory Assistant, she has spent the best part of 2012 setting up state-of-the-art laboratory equipment in the new Molecular Laboratory. “What I found most challenging was managing a lot of people doing a lot of work in a very small space. The new lab and new equipment has made life much easier for everyone. I can safely say the new Lab has increased productivity.”

Having done her MSc in bio-chemistry at Rhodes University, Taryn worked at the Rhodes University Chemistry Department as a Bio-Assay Technician, where she managed a small lab. She describes her move to SAIAB as great. “I enjoy being situated in a research environment because it has enabled much space for personal and professional growth. I’ve learned a great deal about office administration as my job requires me to do a lot of administrative as well as managerial work,” she says.

  Taryn also interacts closely with the interns and students who make use of the lab.  She says working with students and interns has been very rewarding: “You interact with many different personalities - which can be very challenging at times,” she giggles. Devin Isemonger,  describes Taryn as “Totally awesome and she does her job very well.” Nomfundo Nkabi, says “She’s shy, but in a sweet way and very collected.” Elethu Duna says finds her, “Very easy to talk to… She’s probably one of the friendliest people at SAIAB.” Gavin Gouws describes Taryn as very efficient, “The lab wouldn’t run as smoothly as it does if it wasn’t for her.”

When asked about her future plans, she responds, “I plan on being here for a number of years; I think there’s still a lot more I can learn at SAIAB.” Her best moment at SAIAB was during SciFest Africa 2012 - “Interacting with little kids and seeing how excited they get about science is probably one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had SAIAB. I also participated in a June 16 ‘Sarafina Production’ to celebrate Youth Day".

What does she do for fun? “I read and go down to the beach on weekends; - Oh! That sounds like such a boring person….”