2007/02/22 by Kaj Sand‐Jensen, Kaj Sand-Jensen · 1 citation
Decision Sciences · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Scientific Computing and Data Management #Environmental Monitoring and Data Management #Marine and coastal ecosystems
paper · doi:10.1111/j.2007.0030-1299.15674.x
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. ‘‘Hell is sitting on a hot stone reading your own scientific publications’’ Erik Ursin, fish biologist Turn a gifted writer into a dull scientist A Scandinavian professor has told me an interesting story. The first English manuscript prepared by one of his PhD students had been written in a personal style, slightly verbose but with a humoristic tone and thoughtful side-tracks. There was absolutely no chance, however, that it would meet the strict demands of