Understanding Figures in Neuroscience Research

This innovative text introduces neuroscience students to the visual language of scientific publications, teaching scientific literacy, research methods, and graphical literacy in an engaging way. Employing a 'pictures first' pedagogical approach, it walks the reader step-by-step through the interpretation of neuroscience figures and explains the principles of experimental design. The major research techniques – from neuroimaging, to behavioral methods, to genetics and comparative approaches – are explored, illuminating how they are represented graphically in journal articles, and their strengths and limitations as a research tool. More than 130 example figures provide experimental paradigms for the more difficult-to-visualize methods, and depict actual results taken from the recently published scientific literature. Data from several study designs are discussed, including clinical case studies, meta-analyses, and experiments from behavior to molecular genetics. Concrete examples of experiments are provided along with each method, helping students with the design of their own research questions.

• Innovative 'pictures first' pedagogical approach, clearly describing the production of figures and graphs in neuroscience from human anatomy and neuroimaging, facilitating better understanding and interpretation
• The understanding of research methodology is placed at the forefront, helping students grasp these crucial concepts as opposed to merely acquiring facts
• Gives concrete examples of the types of neuroscience questions that each experimental method is suited for, providing students with ideas and prompts for developing their own research questions