Writing in the Sciences: Interview with Dr. Bradley Efron

Summary

In this insightful conversation with Dr. Bradley Efron, the renowned statistician and creator of the bootstrap resampling technique, he shares valuable advice for aspiring authors in the academic publishing world. Dr. Efron emphasizes the importance of clarity, engaging writing, and submitting to the right journal. He discusses how first-time authors can navigate the process, the importance of rejection in building resilience, and strategies for successful resubmissions. Dr. Efron also reflects on the future of academic publishing and offers encouraging words for young scientists, reminding them that quality always trumps quantity in research publication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clear communication is key in scientific papers. Start with a compelling example and make the paper accessible to a broader audience, not just specialists.
• 😀 Choosing the right journal is crucial. Submitting to the wrong journal can lead to immediate rejection. Ensure your paper aligns with the journal's focus.
• 😀 Avoid excessive technical jargon and notation in the beginning of your paper. Too many definitions at the start can overwhelm the reader.
• 😀 A good scientific paper should have an element of surprise. Don’t make the outcome obvious from the start—engage the reader's curiosity.
• 😀 Write in a clear, straightforward style. Don’t be afraid to simplify your language; making complex ideas accessible is not 'dumbing down.'
• 😀 First-time authors should acknowledge their status when submitting. Editors and referees are usually more forgiving of early-career mistakes.
• 😀 Resubmissions after rejection should focus on brevity and clarity. Make your paper shorter and clearer, as this increases the chances of success.
• 😀 Rejection is common, even for excellent ideas. Perseverance is key—many groundbreaking papers face rejection before eventually being published.
• 😀 The future of publishing will likely see more electronic formats, but print journals will continue to play an important role, much like movies and radio.
• 😀 Don’t get caught up in publishing excessively. Focus on fewer, high-quality papers that make a real impact rather than accumulating a long list of publications.

Q & A

What is the significance of the first paragraph or section of a scientific paper?

The first paragraph or section is crucial as it sets the stage for the entire paper, summarizing the main points and making it clear to the reader what the paper is about. A good paper clearly states its purpose from the beginning to engage the reader.

Why should a scientific paper have some element of surprise?

A paper with an element of surprise keeps the reader engaged and interested. It shouldn't be predictable; rather, it should present new ideas or findings in a way that captures the reader's attention.

What common mistake do authors make when submitting papers to the wrong journal?

The mistake is submitting a paper to a journal that does not align with the focus or scope of the research. This can lead to rejection simply because the paper is not a good fit for the journal's target audience.

How important is writing style in scientific papers, and should authors follow the common verbose style of scientific literature?

Writing style is very important. It's essential to make the paper clear and easy to read. Authors shouldn't feel pressured to adopt a verbose style; clarity and simplicity are key, and dumbing down overly complex language is acceptable.

What is the best way to approach writing a first paper for submission?

First-time authors should focus on clarity and simplicity, keeping the introduction and abstract concise and clear. It's okay to mention that the paper is their first submission, as editors are usually more lenient with first-time authors.

What advice does Dr. Efron give regarding the revision process after a paper is rejected but given a chance for resubmission?

If resubmitting, authors should pay close attention to the feedback provided, make the paper clearer and shorter, and consider submitting to a different journal if the original one doesn't seem like the right fit. It's important not to get discouraged by rejection.

What should authors do if their paper gets rejected for the first time?

Rejection is a common part of the process, even for experienced authors. Dr. Efron encourages young scientists to persevere, as many great papers, including his own, were initially rejected. Rejection doesn't mean the idea is bad.

What changes does Dr. Efron foresee in the publication process over the next decade?

Dr. Efron believes that while electronic publication will increase, print journals will continue to exist in a more magazine-like format. The process will likely become more digital, but quality control and evaluation by journals will remain important.

How can the quality of a scientific paper be enhanced during the writing process?

Quality can be enhanced by using clear graphics, avoiding excessive equations, and keeping the writing concise. Authors should focus on readability and presenting their ideas in a way that doesn't overwhelm the reader with complex notation.

What is Dr. Efron's stance on the number of papers a scientist should publish for career advancement?

Dr. Efron believes in publishing fewer, but more impactful papers. Publishing too many papers can wear out an audience, while publishing high-quality, well-thought-out papers is more impressive in the long run.