Rebecca M. TownsendFrom Tolland, Massachusetts
Sarah B
- 12 Followers
- 26 Following
- 118 Posts
@RMTownsend It's true that my approach came out of also receiving destructive reviews. There is a real human, with a real life, getting that review. Who knows what's going on for them, and that review could impact them in all sorts of ways, well beyond simple professional boundaries.
But I feel the need to regale the story of a paper I was asked to review, which had the opening gambit of declaring, within the first two lines, that another research group had published a paper, in the same (top tier!) journal, that was incredibly dumb, and that these authors were going rectify the stupidity of the researchers, and editors who had allowed such junk to be put to press. I'm paraphrasing, the original was far more blunt and insulting.
It was quite extraordinary, I was amazed, stunned, shocked ... etc ... that they would actually write something like that, then submit it for publication, to the same editors and journal they were including in their lambasting!
Anyway, I took a *lot* of time to craft a respectful but honest review, but was quietly cheering when I later received the other reviewer's work, who bluntly said: this is outrageously rude, pointless (the offending paper had been cited maybe twice within a couple of years), and who would want to work with people like this, he certainly wouldn't?! It was one time I applauded brutal honesty, which was absolutely deserved!
But I feel the need to regale the story of a paper I was asked to review, which had the opening gambit of declaring, within the first two lines, that another research group had published a paper, in the same (top tier!) journal, that was incredibly dumb, and that these authors were going rectify the stupidity of the researchers, and editors who had allowed such junk to be put to press. I'm paraphrasing, the original was far more blunt and insulting.
It was quite extraordinary, I was amazed, stunned, shocked ... etc ... that they would actually write something like that, then submit it for publication, to the same editors and journal they were including in their lambasting!
Anyway, I took a *lot* of time to craft a respectful but honest review, but was quietly cheering when I later received the other reviewer's work, who bluntly said: this is outrageously rude, pointless (the offending paper had been cited maybe twice within a couple of years), and who would want to work with people like this, he certainly wouldn't?! It was one time I applauded brutal honesty, which was absolutely deserved!
@RMTownsend this sounds like an excellent approach! Mine is nowhere nearly as sophisticated, because it's not in high demand, but I do try to emphasise to people I'm working with, that there are so many ways to write the same thing. I could offer suggestions, but in the end everyone has their own particular style and preferences, so what I suggest isn't the *best* or even the *only* option. But I'm making the suggestion because (imho) what they have written can be *better*. My suggestion is to help them get there, even if they counter with something else, or decide to go with what they already have (I don't think anyone has ever actually done that last with me; I wouldn't be offended, but I would take it as a likely sign that we're not working well together, for whatever reason!).
Ultimately, I think that the interpersonal relationship is exactly what will make the position of editor (in particular) functional. I would definitely find your approach a good one, I'd work with you!
(closest thing I had to a smiling beaver đĻĢ:-)
Ultimately, I think that the interpersonal relationship is exactly what will make the position of editor (in particular) functional. I would definitely find your approach a good one, I'd work with you!
(closest thing I had to a smiling beaver đĻĢ:-)@Logintaken oh my yes.
Like many others, having been the recipient of some of destructive reviews, I strive to find what works, offer some initial choices in how to strengthen it, then let the authors know that there are likely other strategies. I've reviewed essays for journals but not a book. I thought maybe my approach for the former could be ok for the latter.
I am glad you offered this as a tip, as it is very important. Apparently it may not be practiced enough.
Thank you!
Like many others, having been the recipient of some of destructive reviews, I strive to find what works, offer some initial choices in how to strengthen it, then let the authors know that there are likely other strategies. I've reviewed essays for journals but not a book. I thought maybe my approach for the former could be ok for the latter.
I am glad you offered this as a tip, as it is very important. Apparently it may not be practiced enough.
Thank you!
@RMTownsend đx2
Just goes to show how context matters: a bored (or board! đ) beaver makes sooo much more sense, but I just didn't even think of that, coming from a place that is beaverless. Actually, I'm trying to think whether we have any animals down here in the antipodes that would behave like this, nothing is coming to mind.
For the beaver's sake I'm glad he walked away, that could have had an ugly ending. The tree looks worse for wear though, (didn't survive the beavering??) but the moss looks very happy, lovely! The circle of life ...
Just goes to show how context matters: a bored (or board! đ) beaver makes sooo much more sense, but I just didn't even think of that, coming from a place that is beaverless. Actually, I'm trying to think whether we have any animals down here in the antipodes that would behave like this, nothing is coming to mind.
For the beaver's sake I'm glad he walked away, that could have had an ugly ending. The tree looks worse for wear though, (didn't survive the beavering??) but the moss looks very happy, lovely! The circle of life ...
@RMTownsend
best tip I got: to at least be respectful, and try to be kind.
The editor's job (or even reviewer's job) isn't to bring someone down, it's to lift them up.
best tip I got: to at least be respectful, and try to be kind.
The editor's job (or even reviewer's job) isn't to bring someone down, it's to lift them up.
@RMTownsend that is one incredibly tenacious tree!
(Or a very uncommitted axe man).
@ketaminh
Student loans isn't what's stopping doctors from moving to isolated areas, it's isolation that's stopping them. Not just social, but professional.
And the monumental stuffing-up of the NBN will definitely have long term ramifications wrt to this, because it was absolutely fundamental infrastructure to help overcome that isolation. We've almost gone backwards, as far as that's concerned.
It's only one piece of a highly, highly complicated puzzle, but it is a very large and and absolutely essential piece ...
@ketaminh
What a litany of horrors.
What a litany of horrors.
@DoctorDNS @kangaroo5383 @thomasareed
More verbosely:
When it comes down to it, there are so many ways to say the same thing, and we make choices all the time around that.
And part of those choices include the language and tone, because we want to tread carefully, or shout obscenities, depending on our purpose and intention.
And the CW button is just part of that myriad choices. But it's a very useful addition to the toolbox, and speaks to the intended positive and friendly, and most of all respectful, culture of Mastodon. Hence, I wholly agree with what you say, I like the fact that it's there as an option, and as a signal.