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Topic: How to write consistently boring scientific literature  (Read 6013 times)

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Offline mir

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How to write consistently boring scientific literature
« on: May 22, 2007, 05:12:54 AM »
Read this article:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.2007.0030-1299.15674.x?cookieSet=1&journalCode=oik

doi:10.1111/j.2007.0030-1299.15674.x

Abstract:

Although scientists typically insist that their research is very exciting and adventurous when they talk to laymen and prospective students, the allure of this enthusiasm is too often lost in the predictable, stilted structure and language of their scientific publications. I present here, a top-10 list of recommendations for how to write consistently boring scientific publications. I then discuss why we should and how we could make these contributions more accessible and exciting.

Or read this article:
How to Make a Scientific Lecture Unbearable
by Alexander Kohn
http://www.improbable.com/news/2003/mar/unbearable_lecture.html

No single thing abides, but all things flow.
Fragment to fragment clings, and thus they grow
Until we know and name them.
Then by degrees they change and are no more
The things we know.
- Titus Lucretius Carus

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Offline pantone159

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Re: How to write consistently boring scientific literature
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2007, 08:23:49 AM »
For another effective method of keeping potential readers from your work, one can try making readers pay $39 to access the paper, of course for such a bargin price they can only have it for 30 days.   >:(

Offline Donaldson Tan

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Re: How to write consistently boring scientific literature
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2007, 10:11:14 AM »
Haha.. I can't believe it was published on an actual research journal.
"Say you're in a [chemical] plant and there's a snake on the floor. What are you going to do? Call a consultant? Get a meeting together to talk about which color is the snake? Employees should do one thing: walk over there and you step on the friggin� snake." - Jean-Pierre Garnier, CEO of Glaxosmithkline, June 2006

Offline Mitch

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Re: How to write consistently boring scientific literature
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2007, 03:49:36 PM »
Publishers have a sense of humor too.
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