The 7 Habits of Highly The 7 Habits of Highly Effective ResearchersEffective Researchers

Steve WallaceSteve Wallace

IntroductionIntroductionTeach at NCTU, NTHU and ITRI technical writing Teach at NCTU, NTHU and ITRI technical writing teacher and editor- Watched rejectionteacher and editor- Watched rejectionWritten 13 textbooks used in 28 universities, Written 13 textbooks used in 28 universities, including: including: ““How to write and submit your paper in 18 weeks: How to write and submit your paper in 18 weeks: a textbook for Taiwanese academic writersa textbook for Taiwanese academic writers””

華樂絲學術英文編修華樂絲學術英文編修 : : works with 86 Colleges, works with 86 Colleges, Universities and Research Institutes. Over 4,300 Universities and Research Institutes. Over 4,300 papers editedpapers editedCollected Reviewers and Editors Comments - Collected Reviewers and Editors Comments - Research researchersResearch researchers

Understanding feelings about Understanding feelings about writingwriting

A recent survey of 400,000 U.S. faculty revealed A recent survey of 400,000 U.S. faculty revealed 26% spent zero hours per week writing. 26% spent zero hours per week writing. 27% never published a peer reviewed journal paper. 27% never published a peer reviewed journal paper. 43% had published nothing in the last 2 years. 43% had published nothing in the last 2 years. 62% never published a book. 62% never published a book. Only 28% had produced two publications in the past Only 28% had produced two publications in the past two years. two years. Only 25% of faculty spent more than eight hours a Only 25% of faculty spent more than eight hours a week writing. This was self reported the real number week writing. This was self reported the real number could be much lower. (Lindholm 2005) could be much lower. (Lindholm 2005) Some scholars believe this number is 15% of faculty Some scholars believe this number is 15% of faculty being productive writers (Moxley and Taylor)being productive writers (Moxley and Taylor)

MethodMethodData from interviews, phone, conferences Data from interviews, phone, conferences and universitiesand universities

Position as editor has allowed opportunity Position as editor has allowed opportunity

Compiled into 7 basic “habits” which Compiled into 7 basic “habits” which summarize advice and tips in 7 areassummarize advice and tips in 7 areas

To get the most honest responses researchers To get the most honest responses researchers remained anonymous. This was an important remained anonymous. This was an important condition to getting practical material. condition to getting practical material.

Overview of ResearchersOverview of ResearchersAn effective researcher was defined as a researcher who An effective researcher was defined as a researcher who has publish a average of five or more SCI or SCCI papers a has publish a average of five or more SCI or SCCI papers a year every year for the last five years. year every year for the last five years. There were a total of 146 effective researchers:There were a total of 146 effective researchers:34 - Engineering34 - Engineering17 - Management and Business17 - Management and Business11 - Foreign Language and Literature11 - Foreign Language and Literature10 - Education10 - Education31 - Natural sciences31 - Natural sciences20 - Medicine20 - Medicine12 - Social sciences12 - Social sciences6 - Law6 - Law5 - History and Liberal Arts 5 - History and Liberal Arts

Habit #1 Habit #1 Effective researchers have a Effective researchers have a

publication supply chainpublication supply chain..Quote Quote

““I view producing every paper like I view producing every paper like producing a product, a creative product producing a product, a creative product like a movie. We have screenings, editors like a movie. We have screenings, editors and deadlines to release our product. I am and deadlines to release our product. I am not always the director of the movie, that not always the director of the movie, that might be me or it could be one of my might be me or it could be one of my students. But I am always the producer. students. But I am always the producer. The producer needs to push everybody so The producer needs to push everybody so that the movie can be released on time.” that the movie can be released on time.” - - Civil Engineering Professor # 78Civil Engineering Professor # 78

Capturing raw material when Capturing raw material when away from the computer:away from the computer:

Collect ideas: - Notebook, Post It Collect ideas: - Notebook, Post It notesnotes

Transferred to ongoing files Transferred to ongoing files

Notes could be organized and edited Notes could be organized and edited into the beginning of a paper.into the beginning of a paper.

Easier to begin writing when there Easier to begin writing when there were already ideaswere already ideas

Master’s studentsMaster’s students Generate papers from your thesisGenerate papers from your thesis

You invested two or more years writing You invested two or more years writing your thesis. your thesis.

Try to generate a couple of papers from Try to generate a couple of papers from the most important chapters of the thesis. the most important chapters of the thesis.

This is easier than writing a totally new This is easier than writing a totally new paper from scratch. Work jointly with your paper from scratch. Work jointly with your advisor to help market your papers. advisor to help market your papers.

Maintain a stock of papers under review Maintain a stock of papers under review constantlyconstantly

If the acceptance rate of the top-ranking If the acceptance rate of the top-ranking journals is 15%, you need about 7 papers journals is 15%, you need about 7 papers under review at all times to have one under review at all times to have one paper accepted per year.paper accepted per year.This does not mean that you should write This does not mean that you should write 7 new papers each year.7 new papers each year.If your goal is to get 10 papers accepted in If your goal is to get 10 papers accepted in the first 5 years of your career, you need the first 5 years of your career, you need about a dozen papers under review at all about a dozen papers under review at all times. times.

Don't put two good ideas in one Don't put two good ideas in one paperpaper

Separate them into two papers. Separate them into two papers. As the paper's length increases beyond 15 pages, As the paper's length increases beyond 15 pages, the chance of acceptance drops. the chance of acceptance drops. When a topic is split into two papers, the When a topic is split into two papers, the probability of getting at least one of them probability of getting at least one of them accepted more than doubles. accepted more than doubles. You also will get a paper accepted sooner. You also will get a paper accepted sooner. – Editors like short papers. Editors like short papers. – The chance that a referee will detect a The chance that a referee will detect a

mathematical error declines. mathematical error declines. – Referees will return the report faster. Referees will return the report faster.

The chance that a referee will misunderstand the The chance that a referee will misunderstand the paper also decreases. paper also decreases.

Consider different subtopicsConsider different subtopicsAverage wait for an acceptance decision = Average wait for an acceptance decision = 3 years. 3 years. Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8 Average wait for a rejection = 6 to 8 months. months. If you publish in one area, then focus your If you publish in one area, then focus your effort in that fieldeffort in that fieldContinuing to write papers in the same Continuing to write papers in the same narrow area without evidence of success is narrow area without evidence of success is risky. risky. It is like putting all your eggs in one It is like putting all your eggs in one basket. basket.

Develop template sentencesDevelop template sentences

Parts of the introduction, methods Parts of the introduction, methods and discussion of one paper can and discussion of one paper can often be recycled to make a new often be recycled to make a new paperpaper

Keep a database of words and Keep a database of words and phrases to use in different parts of phrases to use in different parts of your paperyour paper

End of the supply chainEnd of the supply chainIncorporate English editing into your supply chainIncorporate English editing into your supply chain

Use professional editorial assistanceUse professional editorial assistance

Particularly if you are not a native Particularly if you are not a native English speaker English speaker

Editors will not publish papers with Editors will not publish papers with grammatical errors. grammatical errors.

Referees are often biased; they have Referees are often biased; they have an excuse to recommend rejection an excuse to recommend rejection with grammatical errorswith grammatical errors

4%

9%

7%

8%

13%

2%

16%

7%7%

English Errors 27%

Faulty methodology

Inadequate references

Poor quality supporting figures

Outside the scope of journal

Not enough contribution to field

Authors did not follow manuscript instructions

Poor writing style and use of English

Title not representative of study

Subject of little novel interest or not generally applicable

Poorly written discussion

Reasons for major revision or rejection of Taiwanese journal papers

RevisionRevision

““After finishing a journal paper I don’t immediately After finishing a journal paper I don’t immediately submit it to a journal. It is not finished yet. I always finsubmit it to a journal. It is not finished yet. I always find small errors in text, notations, explanations, or missid small errors in text, notations, explanations, or missing references, in my finished paper. I’m especially cang references, in my finished paper. I’m especially careful when rereading the introduction and abstract bereful when rereading the introduction and abstract before submission. A small error on the first page of introfore submission. A small error on the first page of introduction or abstract indicates I was careless. Errors herduction or abstract indicates I was careless. Errors here make referees and editors conclude that the paper se make referees and editors conclude that the paper should be rejected. They conclude that the author is likhould be rejected. They conclude that the author is likely to be careless in content as well as English. And thely to be careless in content as well as English. And they might be right.”ey might be right.” - Educational Psychology Associate Professor #12- Educational Psychology Associate Professor #12

Revision (Continued) Revision (Continued) ““If you don't proofread your own introdIf you don't proofread your own introduction, why expect the referees to spot auction, why expect the referees to spot and correct all the errors?” nd correct all the errors?” - Chinese History Professor - Chinese History Professor - # 2 - # 2

““You should always check spelling befoYou should always check spelling before submission. But there are no substitutre submission. But there are no substitutes for reading the papers personally. Spes for reading the papers personally. Spelling checkers do not check word meanelling checkers do not check word meanings.” ings.” – Electrical Engineering Post Doctoral Researcher # 102 – Electrical Engineering Post Doctoral Researcher # 102

Habit #2 Habit #2

Sacrifice other interestsSacrifice other interests Researchers gave up hobbies, games and time Researchers gave up hobbies, games and time with friends to become high impact researcherwith friends to become high impact researchers. Most mentioned that they still had time for fs. Most mentioned that they still had time for family, but less TV, computer games, and sportamily, but less TV, computer games, and sports.s.When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all.

Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt

Quotes about sacrifice:Quotes about sacrifice:““It’s the same with anything you want to be good at.It’s the same with anything you want to be good at. You have to give up something to get something else. You have to give up something to get something else. I gave up watching baseball games, it was painful at fiI gave up watching baseball games, it was painful at first, but now I enjoy the feeling of publishing so much. rst, but now I enjoy the feeling of publishing so much. I really don’t miss it.” I really don’t miss it.” —-Mechanical Engineering Assistant Profess—-Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor #9or #9

““I always tell my students that they will get what theI always tell my students that they will get what they put in. If they waste time doing research, time won’y put in. If they waste time doing research, time won’t wait for them, and they aren’t getting any younger. t wait for them, and they aren’t getting any younger. If they want to make an impact they better start now bIf they want to make an impact they better start now because it takes a long timeecause it takes a long time.’”- Electrical Engineering Associate Pr.’”- Electrical Engineering Associate Professor #30ofessor #30

HabitHabit #3 #3

Practice research like golfPractice research like golf

Researchers talked about the methods, writinResearchers talked about the methods, writing, grammar, and other parts of their paper like g, grammar, and other parts of their paper like a golf player talking about different golf club sa golf player talking about different golf club swings.wings.Beautiful swings are great but a few bad hits cBeautiful swings are great but a few bad hits can disqualify you. an disqualify you. Researchers watch and improve the weaknessResearchers watch and improve the weaknesses in their publishing game like an athlete perfes in their publishing game like an athlete perfecting his sport ecting his sport

Quote on specific skillsQuote on specific skills

““Traditionally my introduction is a bit Traditionally my introduction is a bit weak; I have a challenge selling the weak; I have a challenge selling the problem to reviewers. I’ve got to be problem to reviewers. I’ve got to be able to present the problem better if able to present the problem better if I want people to be interested in my I want people to be interested in my solution. I’m getting better but I’m solution. I’m getting better but I’m constantly aware that this is a constantly aware that this is a weakness, and I need to practice to weakness, and I need to practice to improve.” improve.” – Mechanical Engineering Professor # 31– Mechanical Engineering Professor # 31

Imitate skillful writersImitate skillful writers

Read how successful writers Read how successful writers introduce their topic and cite introduce their topic and cite literatureliterature

Imitate their words and phrases, and Imitate their words and phrases, and modify them to suit your topicmodify them to suit your topic

Create a file of template sentencesCreate a file of template sentences

Habit #4 Habit #4

Dramatize process by creatinDramatize process by creating mental modelsg mental models

Researchers see their writing and researResearchers see their writing and researching in dramatic terms. ching in dramatic terms. Some use strong metaphors to create exSome use strong metaphors to create exciting mental pictures to encourage theciting mental pictures to encourage themselves and their labs.mselves and their labs.““The great struggle”. The great struggle”. Model of building a house Model of building a house Killing a monsterKilling a monster

Habit #5 Habit #5 Researchers use the competitive, political and Researchers use the competitive, political and

supportive energy of other researchers.supportive energy of other researchers.

Supportive energySupportive energy: Support groups : Support groups Competitive energyCompetitive energy: Researchers compare themselv: Researchers compare themselves with other researchers and keep score es with other researchers and keep score PoliticalPolitical: Researchers are political.: Researchers are political.The negative side is that half of peer reviewed articles The negative side is that half of peer reviewed articles in top rated journals are never referenced by anyone, iin top rated journals are never referenced by anyone, including the author. This shows that low impact papencluding the author. This shows that low impact papers are often published in the best journals because the rs are often published in the best journals because the articles are reviewed by friends of the author. (Holub, articles are reviewed by friends of the author. (Holub, Tappeiner, and Eberharter, SEJ 1991). Tappeiner, and Eberharter, SEJ 1991).

Don’t Criticize ReferencesDon’t Criticize References

I think that the author knows his subject betteI think that the author knows his subject better than I do. I usually use his references to find a r than I do. I usually use his references to find a suitable reviewer suitable reviewer - Associate Editor, Journal of - Associate Editor, Journal of RetailingRetailingDon’t emphasize the importance of your papDon’t emphasize the importance of your paper by putting down on other papers. Your referer by putting down on other papers. Your references are probably your reviewers and they arences are probably your reviewers and they are sensitive. e sensitive.

Examples of offensive citation:Examples of offensive citation:

"The deficiency of Smith's approach is..." "The deficiency of Smith's approach is..." "The problems with Smith’s paper are…" "The problems with Smith’s paper are…" ““A serious weakness with Smith’s argument,A serious weakness with Smith’s argument, however, is that ......” however, is that ......”““The key problem with Smith’s explanation The key problem with Smith’s explanation is that ......”is that ......”““It seems that Smith’s understanding of the It seems that Smith’s understanding of the X framework is questionable.”X framework is questionable.”

A better citation would be:A better citation would be:

““Smith’s model was effective in X proSmith’s model was effective in X problem, however in Y…”blem, however in Y…”““The X benefit of Smith’s approach arThe X benefit of Smith’s approach are not applicable to Y…”e not applicable to Y…”

Pay attention to reviewers’ commentsPay attention to reviewers’ comments

““I don’t think you treated Smith fairly I don’t think you treated Smith fairly in your literature review, his insights in your literature review, his insights deserve more respect.”deserve more respect.”

““You forgot to include Smith as a You forgot to include Smith as a reference in your paper. His work is reference in your paper. His work is fundamental to understanding your fundamental to understanding your research.” research.”

Complement potential reviewersComplement potential reviewers

Important references should be mentioned in Important references should be mentioned in the first page. The editor usually chooses reviethe first page. The editor usually chooses reviewers from those mentioned in the introductiowers from those mentioned in the introduction and references.n and references.Be generous to all authors, explain why their rBe generous to all authors, explain why their research is significant for your analysis. esearch is significant for your analysis. This uses less than 1% of the space, but signifiThis uses less than 1% of the space, but significantly affects the probability of acceptancecantly affects the probability of acceptance

Meet 100 active researchersMeet 100 active researchers

There are about a hundred people in your research fieThere are about a hundred people in your research field who are likely to be referees of your papers. ld who are likely to be referees of your papers. Prepare a list of one hundred active people in your maPrepare a list of one hundred active people in your main research area. Try to meet them within a five-year pin research area. Try to meet them within a five-year period. eriod. Present papers at, or at least attend, two conferences Present papers at, or at least attend, two conferences a year. When presenting papers or attending regional, a year. When presenting papers or attending regional, national, or international meetings, try to meet these national, or international meetings, try to meet these people. people. When you go to conferences smile and “work the rooWhen you go to conferences smile and “work the room.”m.”

Practice Practice Cite researchers who like youCite researchers who like you

Include references to authors who like yInclude references to authors who like your papers. They might become referees.our papers. They might become referees. Include references to people with who yInclude references to people with who you met at conferences. ou met at conferences. This is to get a fair chance. Referees havThis is to get a fair chance. Referees have to make an effort to be fair to unknowe to make an effort to be fair to unknown authors.n authors.

Scan journal for related articles Scan journal for related articles Try to find some related articles in the journal Try to find some related articles in the journal to which you wish to submit your paper.to which you wish to submit your paper.Authors who published a paper on a related suAuthors who published a paper on a related subject are likely to be referees. The editor still rbject are likely to be referees. The editor still remembers them and has a connection to theemembers them and has a connection to them. Obviously, you need to cite their papers. m. Obviously, you need to cite their papers. Even if they are slightly related, try to use their Even if they are slightly related, try to use their references. Explain how your work is related.references. Explain how your work is related.

Habit #6 Habit #6 Get rejectedGet rejected

When rejected, try againWhen rejected, try againEven Nobel Laureates get rejection letters. Even Nobel Laureates get rejection letters. You may need to play “ping pong” with the You may need to play “ping pong” with the paper. Submit the paper to another journal wipaper. Submit the paper to another journal within one month. thin one month. You do not have to revise a paper every time it You do not have to revise a paper every time it is rejected. But if a paper is rejected 4 times, this rejected. But if a paper is rejected 4 times, there is a serious flaw in the paper. Find and fix tere is a serious flaw in the paper. Find and fix the problem. he problem. Why? The same referee might get it again. Why? The same referee might get it again.

Emotions on rejected paperEmotions on rejected paper

1) Depression1) Depression

2) Anger at editor.2) Anger at editor.

3) Anger at system.3) Anger at system.

4) Consider changing job.4) Consider changing job.

5) Reviewing manuscripts and 5) Reviewing manuscripts and deciding the reviewers had pointsdeciding the reviewers had points

Eliminate any trace of prior Eliminate any trace of prior rejectionsrejections

Do not show when the paper was first Do not show when the paper was first written. written. Do not show how many times the papeDo not show how many times the paper has been revised. r has been revised. Document property check Document property check Add current referencesAdd current references

Everyone gets rejectedEveryone gets rejected

Your options:Your options:

Abandon the article.Abandon the article.

Send the article with no changes to Send the article with no changes to another journal.another journal.

Revise the article and send it to Revise the article and send it to another journal.another journal.

Protest the decision and try to Protest the decision and try to resubmit the article to the rejecting resubmit the article to the rejecting journaljournal

PracticePracticeAvoid the journals which consistently Avoid the journals which consistently

reject your papersreject your papersTemporarily avoid journals which always reject Temporarily avoid journals which always reject

youyouThe editor still remembers bad comments about The editor still remembers bad comments about

your papers. your papers. Wait until a new editor is appointed. Wait until a new editor is appointed. If you think there is prejudice on the basis of sex, If you think there is prejudice on the basis of sex,

race, or nationality, you may consider using race, or nationality, you may consider using initials instead of spelling out the first and initials instead of spelling out the first and middle names. middle names.

First and middle names, as well as last name, First and middle names, as well as last name, often reveal the sex, race, or nationality of often reveal the sex, race, or nationality of the authors.the authors.

You may write your full name after the paper is You may write your full name after the paper is accepted. accepted.

Waiting for the Journal’s Waiting for the Journal’s decisiondecision

Causes of quick rejection:Causes of quick rejection:

Back-logBack-log

Previous paper on subjectPrevious paper on subject

Editor doesn’t like topic or styleEditor doesn’t like topic or style

When should you start contacting When should you start contacting the editor about your paper?the editor about your paper?

After three months once a monthAfter three months once a month

Four months twice a monthFour months twice a month

Six months every daySix months every day

The longer the review takes, the less chance The longer the review takes, the less chance you have a publishing-reviewers may be you have a publishing-reviewers may be negativenegative

Internal fighting in JournalInternal fighting in Journal

You may want to consider withdrawing to You may want to consider withdrawing to another journalanother journal

Editor’s feedback is key in making this decisionEditor’s feedback is key in making this decision

Reminder e-mail to editorReminder e-mail to editor

““I’m just e-mailing to inquire about I’m just e-mailing to inquire about the status of my article titled______, the status of my article titled______, which I submitted to your journal on ( which I submitted to your journal on ( date ).”date ).”

Don’t get angrier over time, just Don’t get angrier over time, just keep sending the same e-mail more keep sending the same e-mail more oftenoften

Sometimes editors appreciate the Sometimes editors appreciate the reminderreminder

Habit #7Habit #7Writers write (and don’t always enjoy it.)Writers write (and don’t always enjoy it.)

Common misunderstanding that good wCommon misunderstanding that good writers enjoy writing riters enjoy writing Many hate writing. But enjoyed the resulMany hate writing. But enjoyed the results. ts. Forced themselves into a daily writing roForced themselves into a daily writing routine. utine.

Quotes about actionQuotes about action““Inspiration is overrated, it’s all about hard Inspiration is overrated, it’s all about hard work and there’s really no way around it.” work and there’s really no way around it.” – Computer Science Professor #77– Computer Science Professor #77

““Nobody loves English writing. It is only a tooNobody loves English writing. It is only a tool, a necessary tool, without it no one will apprel, a necessary tool, without it no one will appreciate our good ideas and reviewers will kill usciate our good ideas and reviewers will kill us” – Electrical Engineering researcher- # 3” – Electrical Engineering researcher- # 3

Planning vs. ActionPlanning vs. Action

Talking about writing isn’t writing. Thinking Talking about writing isn’t writing. Thinking about writing isn’t writing. Dreaming isn’t about writing isn’t writing. Dreaming isn’t writing. Neither are outlining, researching, or twriting. Neither are outlining, researching, or taking notes. All these may be necessary to gettaking notes. All these may be necessary to getting a project completed, ing a project completed, but only writing is wribut only writing is writingting..Pen to paper, fingers to keyboardPen to paper, fingers to keyboard

PracticePractice

Researchers Researchers learnlearn motivation for motivation for writing about their topic. writing about their topic.

Reseachers first forced themselves to wrReseachers first forced themselves to write and later developed an interest in wriite and later developed an interest in writing.ting. Professor William JamesProfessor William James

Building the Writing HabitBuilding the Writing HabitThe same time.The same time. The same place.The same place. Carry a notebookCarry a notebookQuiet place.Quiet place. Get rid of rid of negative tGet rid of rid of negative thoughts.houghts. Sit alone in silence.Sit alone in silence. Ideas, not grammar, for the first draft. Ideas, not grammar, for the first draft. Rewrite.Rewrite.

Make writing a daily habitMake writing a daily habit

Use timed burstsUse timed bursts

Rational and reactive selfRational and reactive self

Lie to yourselfLie to yourself

Do not read too muchDo not read too muchMany researchers use the excuse of more readinMany researchers use the excuse of more readin

g to prevent writing themselves. g to prevent writing themselves. You can’t read every paper ever written on a suYou can’t read every paper ever written on a su

bject. Remember your goal is to write and pubbject. Remember your goal is to write and publish a paper, not to read everything. lish a paper, not to read everything.

If you read a dozen papers on a topic, you shoulIf you read a dozen papers on a topic, you should have enough material to start writing a paped have enough material to start writing a paper. Add your own ideas to this base of knowledgr. Add your own ideas to this base of knowledge.e.

Reasons researchers don’t writeReasons researchers don’t write

I am really too busyI am really too busy. – 15 minutes . – 15 minutes a daya day

Teaching preparation takes all Teaching preparation takes all my extra time.my extra time. Good teachers Good teachers produce more writing (Sax 2002)produce more writing (Sax 2002)

I will write just as soon asI will write just as soon as______ - ______ - You don’t have to be perfect firstYou don’t have to be perfect first

Reasons continuedReasons continued

I’m going to make writing my I’m going to make writing my number one goal in lifenumber one goal in life. “the most . “the most valued activity carries demands for valued activity carries demands for time and perfection that encourages time and perfection that encourages its avoidance (Boice 1997)its avoidance (Boice 1997)

I couldn’t get to my writing siteI couldn’t get to my writing site – – become flexible with your writing become flexible with your writing environmentenvironment

Reasons continuedReasons continued

I have to read just one more I have to read just one more book.book. - Mastery is an illusion, some - Mastery is an illusion, some of the best research done in isolationof the best research done in isolation

I just can’t get started.I just can’t get started. - Reward - Reward yourself for writing, phone or e-mail yourself for writing, phone or e-mail partner. Plan an agenda for next partner. Plan an agenda for next writing sessionwriting session

Reasons continuedReasons continuedI’m afraid of writing because I’m afraid of writing because publication is so permanentpublication is so permanent- Peer - Peer review helpsreview helps

I’m not in the mood to write right nowI’m not in the mood to write right now - Behavior modification theory.- Behavior modification theory.

My childcare responsibilities are My childcare responsibilities are preventing me from writingpreventing me from writing – Use small – Use small blocks of time, babysitters, more efficient blocks of time, babysitters, more efficient (Sax 2002)(Sax 2002)

Reasons continuedReasons continued

My thesis advisor is a bigger My thesis advisor is a bigger problem than a helpproblem than a help - Try writing - Try writing without help first or change advisorwithout help first or change advisor

I can’t sit stillI can’t sit still - Short bursts with an - Short bursts with an alarmalarm

I write so slowly that I never I write so slowly that I never seem to get much doneseem to get much done – Most – Most people write slowlypeople write slowly

Reasons continuedReasons continuedIf I have a long productive writing If I have a long productive writing day, I have a hard time getting day, I have a hard time getting started the next day started the next day - Common problem- Common problem

I am eager to write but I don’t have I am eager to write but I don’t have the material or scrolling resourcesthe material or scrolling resources – – Third World countriesThird World countries

I have to make progress on several writing I have to make progress on several writing projects at one time and I am in a panic – projects at one time and I am in a panic – two projects are better than onetwo projects are better than one

Reasons continuedReasons continued

I get distracted by Web surfing I get distracted by Web surfing e-mailing and text messaginge-mailing and text messaging – – Disconnect yourselfDisconnect yourself

I need big blocks of time to write I need big blocks of time to write in my schedule doesn’t allow in my schedule doesn’t allow such blockssuch blocks – Short blocks more – Short blocks more productiveproductive

Researchers are proud of the term researResearchers are proud of the term researcher and their total impactcher and their total impact

QuoteQuote““I used to think that research all happened in I used to think that research all happened in a lab. That my results were the only thing that a lab. That my results were the only thing that mattered. I now realize that the experiment ismattered. I now realize that the experiment isn’t over and the results haven’t really happn’t over and the results haven’t really happened until they have been shared with a wider ened until they have been shared with a wider academic community. Writing is part of researacademic community. Writing is part of research and I’m proud to be both a researcher and ch and I’m proud to be both a researcher and author because the two can’t be separated.author because the two can’t be separated.” – Computer Science Professor - #77” – Computer Science Professor - #77

Conclusion: Effective ResearchersConclusion: Effective Researchers

1) P1) Publication “Supply Chain”ublication “Supply Chain”2) Sacrifice other interests2) Sacrifice other interests

3) 3) Practice research like a golf gamePractice research like a golf game4) Dramatize process by creating mental 4) Dramatize process by creating mental modelsmodels

5) 5) Use competitive, political and supportive eUse competitive, political and supportive energynergy6) 6) Get rejectedGet rejected7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)7) Write, (and don’t always enjoy it)

For More InformationFor More InformationHandout of our talk available Handout of our talk available

www.editing.tw 華樂絲學術英文編修華樂絲學術英文編修www.seminars.twwww.seminars.twEditingEditing from 86 colleges and universities, domain specialized from 86 colleges and universities, domain specialized editors, understand Taiwanese English, educational commentseditors, understand Taiwanese English, educational commentsThree Stage Three Stage translationtranslation process to preserve meaning and clarity process to preserve meaning and clarityBooksBooksHow to write and publish an academic paper in 16 weeksHow to write and publish an academic paper in 16 weeksHow to attend, speak or present a poster at an academic How to attend, speak or present a poster at an academic conferenceconferenceReferencesReferencesMichaelson, Herbert, Michaelson, Herbert, How to Write & Publish Engineering Papers and ReportsHow to Write & Publish Engineering Papers and Reports, Oryx Press, 1990. , Oryx Press, 1990. Chapter 6 discusses abstracts.Chapter 6 discusses abstracts.Bob Bly, Research papers for dummies, Wily and Sons Ltd, 2004Bob Bly, Research papers for dummies, Wily and Sons Ltd, 2004Kwan, a Publishers Handbook, University of Illinois http://www.roie.org/Kwan, a Publishers Handbook, University of Illinois http://www.roie.org/