scientific writing

In this week's episode Patrick and Greg plumb the depths of what is a dissertation and what purpose does it serve. They are aided in the use of an AI language interpreter to translate old man grousing to positive and supportive advice for students as they discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a dissertation project. Along the way they also mention: pumpkin spice, marching bands, Maximus Decimus Meridius, Hiccup, being like too American, OMG, anger interpreters, patience and self-restraint, the pantsless Lindy, it's just something people do, flight instructors, bloody marys in Row 14, dead birds, kilometerage, sleek sports cars, three-masted ships, downright silly questions, We Are The World, three questions, devolution, and subconning. 

Stay in contact with Quantitude!

• Twitter: @quantitudepod
• Web page: quantitudepod.org
• Merch: redbubble.com

Is it possible to learn a method that will help you get published in high-impact journals? And is there such a thing as writer’s block? 

In this first episode of Season 3 of Science on surfaces we talk to Dr Anna Clemens, Scientific writing coach & editor, about the challenges of scientific writing. Dr. Clemens has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and she is also a journalist. In her company “Scientists Who Write”, she helps scientists to improve their writing skills, write more efficiently, and to get published in high-impact journals. 

In this episode, we really get to the bottom of the writing process and we get to reveal all the secrets of how to methodically, step-by-step, write a successful manuscript. Dr. Clemens starts by talking about the core of a good paper, which is also the key to success - the storytelling framework. She then guides us through the five-step process that will make sure all the bits and pieces are in place and that they all fit nicely together within the storytelling framework. Also, as we discussed the challenges of scientific writing, we of course had to bring up the phenomenon of the writer’s block – this unwelcome nuisance that most of us have experienced at one point or another in our lives, and which simply makes it impossible to get any words down on paper. Of course, Dr. Clemens has reflected on this topic and shares her thoughts on how to address it.

Thanks for listening! If you are interested in surface and interface science and related topics, you should check out our blog -  the Surface Science blog

Episode links

Books discussed in the episode  

• Deep work, Cal Newport: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25744928-deep-work
• On Writing Well, William Zinsser: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53343.On_Writing_Well
• Writing Science, Joshua Schimel: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13122323-writing-science

Get in touch with Dr Clemens 

• Website: https://www.annaclemens.com/
• Blog: https://www.annaclemens.com/blog-overview (or navigate to Blog button) 
• Work with Anna: https://www.annaclemens.com/work-with-me (or navigate to "Get Writing Support" button) 
• Twitter: @scientistswrite
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaclemens/

In the fourth week of Quanti•Qamp, neither Patrick nor Greg have read each other's emails about the organization of the episode and thus entirely ad lib a discussion on how one might write a quantitatively-oriented pedagogical paper. Because they are completely unprepared for the episode, they also forget to provide the next QQamp assignment; however, being the seasoned academicians that they are, they will somehow blame you for not completing the assignment, because by now, "you should have known." Carry on. 

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• Web page: quantitudepod.org
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In the third week of Quanti•Qamp, Patrick and Greg ramble semi-coherently about how you might use existing data to drive a quantitative research idea as well as to serve as the foundation for making a unique quantitative contribution. They explore different potential data sources and discuss the variety of ways these might be used in the pursuit of a quantitative research question. They conclude with the next QQamp assignment: identify a small number of existing data sets in your substantive field that you might be able to make use of in your own quantitative research. Carry on. 

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In the second week of QuantiBootQamp (remember....the "boot" is silent), Greg and Patrick open with what they agree is a pretty bizarre coincidence. They then discuss, with occasional disagreement, how you might select a journal for your own quantitatively-oriented contribution. They conclude with the next Quanti•Qamp assignment: to read the mastheads and editorial board lists of at least three journals that might serve as a home for your quantitative paper. 

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• Twitter: @quantitudepod
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Patrick and Greg draw on their experience in author, reviewer, and editorial roles to talk about the manuscript review process, and offer strategies for revising a manuscript and crafting a letter in response to editorial guidance and reviewer feedback. Along the way they also discuss spring break for octogenarians, spitting on graves, being flabby and unfocused, Milo and Otis, meat on a stick, subway jumpers, understanding square roots, voodoo dolls, ugly babies, Klingons, hostage negotiators, and rejected rejections. 

Stay in contact with Quantitude!

• Twitter: @quantitudepod
• Web page: quantitudepod.org
• Merch: redbubble.com