The scientific community is steadily moving toward open science. Even publishers are joining this “open” trend. China, being the country with the second largest research output globally, forms an important part of this trend. How do Chinese researchers perceive open data? Are they open to share their research data? Look at what they say.
Oct 23, 2015
With the rise in instances of misconduct in the academic publishing industry, everyone is aware that authors, journals, and editors have a joint responsibility to ensure ethical publication. This article summarizes the findings of an article published in the July issue of Learned Publishing: Yang, WU; Zou, Qiang, The ethical issues in instructions for authors of Chinese biomedical journals, Learned Publishing, Volume 28, Number 3.
Sep 11, 2015
China’s contribution to global research has increased steadily and significantly. One of the main reasons for this increased visibility is China’s Science Citation Index (SCI) focused scientific evaluation system which leads Chinese researchers to submit their manuscripts to SCI-indexed journals only. Over the years, this system increased China's scientific output, but the blind pursuit of an increased number of publications also affected the quality of research and China’s scientific output came to be questioned globally.
Jan 9, 2015
Sheng-Fen Ku, Senior Editor at Editage Insights. Sheng-Fen is passionate about helping researchers by providing them with access to content on scholarly communications. Extending her prior experience of providing content on various portals for Chinese researchers, she helps authors and researchers globally by providing them with access to publication-related resources.
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BPharm, Reproductive Health/Ethnopharmacology Research Group.
A graphical abstract can improve visibility of your research and lets people know what to expect in your article. Here are a few tips and resources to help you get started with graphical abstracts.
Aug 15, 2024
August 27, 2024, 13:00 PM - August 27, 2024, 14:00 PM UTC 
For more than 50 years, Journal Citation Reports (JCR) has been providing a measure of the quality or standing of academic journals. The measure, namely Journal Impact Factor, is essentially a reflection of the extent to which papers published in a given journal are referred to, or cited, in other papers published in many journals (including papers published in that journal). Journal Citation Reports are useful tools but, as with any tool, they need to be used with skill, discretion, and judgment and can only be as good as their users.
Aug 14, 2024
The new technologies and innovations are changing the scholarly landscape. Here are some insights from an episode of the Insights Xchange podcast, where Nikesh Gosalia, President, Global Academic and Publisher Relations at CACTUS, and Dr. Guido F. Herrmann, Managing Director at Wiley, explore and offer unique insights into navigating the challenging, but exciting new scholarly publishing landscape.
Aug 14, 2024
While continuous learning provides Large Language Models (LLMs) multiple advantages, data security issues could be imminent. LLMs continue to learn through user queries. One way to mitigate this issue is to impose governmental regulations, the other could be using AI chatbots specific to regions. Here we discuss a few country-specific alternatives to ChatGPT.
Aug 13, 2024
Metadata helps search engines understand content, making it easier to discover. We’re diving into why scholarly publishers should prioritize metadata optimization, and how it can enhance the visibility and accessibility of their publications.
Aug 13, 2024
A curated selection of resources on all aspects of academic integrity for researchers
Aug 12, 2024
China with its unprecedented scientific and technological growth is now one of the leading global scientific forces and is giving fierce competition to developed countries such as the U.S. This infographic tries to capture the recent trends and developments of the nation.
Aug 10, 2024
Looking forward to attending academic conferences this season? Here are 15 tips that will help you maximize your conference experience.
Aug 10, 2024
Giving space for indigenous voices and treating indigenous counterparts as equal partners isn’t only a matter of justice and fairness—it’s a vital part of making research effective and sustainable. Indigenous people have contributed a lot to science, and usually, all they ask in return is respect. This year, IDWIP is focusing on “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact,” which highlights some of the most vulnerable communities on earth, who often attract considerable attention from scientists.
Aug 9, 2024
Nikita Goel, a Cactus communications scholarship awardee, discusses her experience presenting her research at the 2024 Annual Microbiology Conference in Edinburgh. She says that overall, in the era of online print and publication, in-person conferences enrich and re-establish the need for smooth in-person back-and-forth communication.
Aug 7, 2024
Journal finders can help you sift through reputed journals across publishers, to zero in on those most suitable for your article. A journal finder tool allows you to look up any journal by name or ISSN to confirm its reputation and whether it’s a good fit for your actual paper.
Jul 4, 2024
Read aloud any text that requires parallel structure: disturbed rhythm while reading aloud is a reliable indicator of unparallel structure. Brush up your grammar so that you can pinpoint the part of speech that needs to be the same in each item in the series to ensure that it is parallel. Read the article for more suggestions and examples on parallel construction in academic writing.
Jul 3, 2024
Recognizing the implications of the demands of publishing on research integrity and research well-being, a group of journal editors and publishers developed a declaration in 2012. The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) recognizes the need to improve methods for evaluating research outputs. DORA recommends various stakeholders – including scientists, funding agencies, institutions, and publishers – to forsake using journal-based metrics like journal impact factors to judge individual researchers. The declaration further calls on the need to assess research on its own merits rather than on the basis of the journal in which it is published.
Jul 2, 2024
If you are wondering how to publish your research paper, we have you covered with tips and resources. Get some ideas here on how to prepare your paper for publication. In this article, share our insights and offer help to early career researchers.
Jul 1, 2024
The growth of open access has largely been driven by good faith efforts from the research community. However, early-career researchers are frequently targeted by predatory entities. Here are some things to be on the lookout for.
Jul 1, 2024
OA is becoming a huge topic that every researcher needs to understand early in their careers to make the right decisions for their research. Check out our growing collection of articles and resources on OA to build your knowledge and start your career the right way.
Jun 24, 2024
In fields like the humanities, one may face a choice of sources of information: original, firsthand accounts (primary sources) or interpretations of such events (secondary sources). Here we provide some examples of primary and secondary sources of literature.
Jun 24, 2024
In order to ensure parity between experimental and control groups we have prepared a mini-guide. Here are some useful statistical techniques researchers will need to know.
Jun 19, 2024
A recent survey by research publishing giant Springer Nature shows that around a third of researchers in Japan are unsure how to share their research beyond academic publications and presentations, despite understanding the critical need communicate their research outside of these academic venues. Given that research communication is vital to involving scientists in policymaking and maximizing societal benefits, how can stakeholders further support the reach and impact of Japan’s research community?
Jun 17, 2024
Bias affects research, from the inception of the study to the research design and all the steps of the research process, as well as peer review and the publication and citation of publications. By embracing blinding as a standard practice, the scientific community can increase the reliability and validity of research findings.
Jun 16, 2024
This World Father’s Day, let’s celebrate the resilience and dedication of researcher fathers who navigate the intricate balance of fatherhood and academic career every day.
Jun 14, 2024
Here, we take a look at how to write a conclusion for your research paper and check some conclusion paragraph examples.
Jun 12, 2024
Learn how you can take simple steps to avoid submitting your paper to a hijacked journal. This case study is based on an actual experience with a fake journal deceptively posing as an authentic one.
Jun 12, 2024
Scientific research thrives on collaboration, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. However, language barriers can impede the participation of researchers from non-English-speaking backgrounds. English dominates scientific publications, often creating a hurdle for those less proficient in the language. Recognizing this challenge is the first step toward fostering a lab culture that promotes constructive collaboration, openness, and inclusivity.
Jun 11, 2024
June 25, 2024, 13:00 PM - June 25, 2024, 14:00 PM UTC Writing a preliminary literature review is vital for research, but it’s easy to stumble into common errors. In the following, we’ll address key mistakes to avoid, helping you build a strong foundation for your study.
Jun 7, 2024
Pearson’s correlation coefficient is a highly popular and valuable tool. It helps researchers understand the relationship between continuous variables and draw meaningful insights from their data.
Jun 6, 2024
The need to reduce the carbon footprint in research environments is not only pressing but also achievable through a multitude of strategic interventions. Research institutions can significantly curtail their environmental impact by rethinking academic travel, optimizing equipment usage, harnessing renewable energy sources, and embracing sustainable lab designs. Implementing these changes will require concerted efforts and innovative thinking.
Jun 5, 2024
Correlation coefficients are useful for researchers seeking to understand relationships between variables. By comprehending the nuances of positive and negative correlations, employing appropriate measures such as Pearson’s r or Spearman’s rho, and exercising caution in interpretation, researchers can harness the power of correlation analysis effectively in their studies.
Jun 4, 2024
June 13, 2024, 02:00 AM - June 13, 2024, 03:30 AM UTC Know more about placebo effect and strategies to prevent the placebo effect from obscuring clinical trial results
May 30, 2024
Read this article to understand what inductive reasoning is with detailed explanation about its definition, examples, and application.
May 27, 2024
The abstract is one of the most important and compelling components of a research paper. This post will explain the purpose of abstracts and how to write one.a
May 24, 2024
The ICMJE has put together guidelines and principles regarding the use of AI in conducting and reporting research. Let’s dive into the key recommendations in this article.
May 23, 2024
Learn in depth how to write plain-language summaries and know more about the strategies you can use to write them.
May 23, 2024
This piece aims to raise awareness about paper mills, tracing its origins and modus operandi, and bringing to light the red flags researchers should be wary of.
May 21, 2024
This article explains what deductive reasoning is including its definition and examples.
May 20, 2024
This article explores how museums shape research and public perception on the occasion of International Museum Day
May 17, 2024
In this post are stories of the often-unseen struggles that researchers face while pursuing their goals, which will not only inspire us, but also give us hope.
May 16, 2024
Addressing implicit requires deliberate efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in research practices. Researchers can engage in cultural competency training, collaborate with diverse research teams, actively seek out perspectives from underrepresented groups, and critically reflect on their own biases and assumptions. Addressing implicit bias is an ongoing task, but is critical for truly objective and equitable science.
May 14, 2024
What some the statistician-approved ways of handling missing data? Biostatisticians have developed various useful techniques to deal with these holes in your dataset. The infographic below outlines 5 powerful and effective ways of handling missing data in your study so that your inferences are robust and reliable.
May 14, 2024
If you heavily rely on conventional (frequentist) statistical tests like t-tests or ANOVAs in your research, it’s important to understand the principles behind the null hypothesis and NHST. Keeping in mind the shortcomings of NHST will help you guard against exaggerating or misinterpreting your results, and guide you in crafting a balanced and insightful report of your research.
May 13, 2024
We celebrate the dedication and tireless efforts that ensure that the future of healthcare is evidence-based and patient-focused. Let’s continue supporting and promoting the critical role of nursing in research for better healthcare outcomes worldwide.
May 10, 2024
Interested in getting started with Bayesian statistics? Carefully selecting a prior distribution helps maintain objectivity and transparency in your Bayesian analysis. Inappropriate or poorly chosen prior distributions can introduce biases into the analysis, leading to misleading conclusions. Here we provide some tips to get you started.
May 9, 2024
Confirmation bias makes it difficult for a researcher to remain objective during the research process. However, by understanding its mechanisms and implementing strategies to mitigate its effects, researchers can do much to prevent confirmation bias and enhance the robustness and reliability of their findings.
May 8, 2024
Humor helps make even the most mind-boggling science feel downright enjoyable and digestible. So, keep this in mind the next time you are about to share your work with an audience.
May 3, 2024
Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are extensively used in biomedical research for analyzing various types of sequential data, including DNA sequences, protein sequences, and biological pathways. Here are some common applications.
May 2, 2024
In this article, we’ll explore what exactly is a thesis statement, and how can you craft one that does justice to your research proposal or thesis and conveys the intended message clearly.
May 2, 2024
May 29, 2024, 13:00 PM - May 29, 2024, 14:00 PM UTC Plagiarizing is often resorted to because it saves time and effort, and many are not even aware that plagiarizing is a violation of ethics. Here we give some examples of plagiarism and consequences of plagiarism.
Apr 29, 2024
Here we give you some ideas on how to unlock the total value of your intellectual property and propel your research endeavors to new heights with 7 key considerations for a perfect patent application.
Apr 26, 2024
May 14, 2024, 10:00 AM - May 14, 2024, 11:00 AM UTC While the connection between IP and attaining the SDGs is not obvious, IP deserves some attention for its role in development efforts. Here, I make a case for IP as a vital tool for meeting the UN SDGs and more generally as a means of accelerating international development efforts.
Apr 25, 2024
Mounting concerns have led to a surge in efforts to fortify research integrity. Here we review the measures being taken by various stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, and publishers, to promote and uphold research integrity, ranging from stringent data management protocols to mandatory ethics training.
Apr 24, 2024
Sampling methods play a significant role in ensuring the representativeness and reliability of our findings. Two main approaches in sampling are non-probability and probability sampling. Let’s delve into their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.
Apr 23, 2024
Conducting research experiments on animals is time-consuming, expensive, and often ends up wasting lives. With the advent of technology, the research world has many non-animal methods to offer for experimental testing. Thoughtfully using these methods to conduct life science or clinical experiments can prove to be sustainable in the long run by saving time, money, and lives.
Apr 22, 2024
This blog post delves into what sensitivity analysis entails, its applications, advantages, and potential limitations in the context of biomedical research.
Apr 19, 2024
Should funding constraints limit your research? In this post, you will learn different ways to overcome hurdles to secure funding and even identify offbeat ways to increase your and your lab’s resourcefulness.
Apr 17, 2024
For an academic, the significance of both reading and writing literature reviews cannot be overstated. Writing effective literature reviews needs precision, clarity, and critical thinking. It not only demonstrates a researcher’s mastery of the subject matter but also contributes to the advancement of knowledge. Here we give tips on how to improve your literature review skills.
Apr 16, 2024
Here we discuss how by carefully considering the various sampling methods and their respective advantages and disadvantages, you can enhance the validity and reliability of your findings. Each method offers unique opportunities and challenges, making it essential to select the most appropriate approach based on the specific requirements of your study.
Apr 15, 2024
April 29, 2024, 13:00 PM - April 29, 2024, 14:00 PM UTC April 17, 2024, 13:00 PM - April 17, 2024, 14:00 PM UTC April 16, 2024, 04:00 AM - April 16, 2024, 05:00 AM UTC As vast amounts of data are published each year, scientists are constantly seeking innovative methods to extract meaningful insights from such data. One method that has gained increasing attention is Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis (IPD-MA).
Apr 9, 2024
Self-plagiarism can have unintended consequences, and it is safer to mention upfront that you are reusing your own text – but without violating any copyright – and supply the relevant information or citation and use quotation marks if required.
Apr 8, 2024
Whether you’re a scientist or not, you first run a basic Google search when looking up unknown scientific terms you encounter when reading an article or listening to a talk. And where do the results of that search usually lead you? Wikipedia. And how can you yourself be a good contributor to Wikipedia as a researcher?
Apr 4, 2024
To mark the occasion of World Health Day, we speak with patient expert Clarinda Cerejo to understand how medical researchers can involve patients in the research and publication process and how this improves outcomes and benefits healthcare.
Apr 4, 2024
Overfitting might seem like a formidable foe, but armed with the right strategies, you can conquer it. Remember, in the world of biomedical research, robust statistical models are your best allies. So, keep your models lean, mean, and ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way.
Apr 2, 2024
Plagiarism occurs when an individual intentionally or unintentionally uses someone else’s work (text, images, music, videos, data, etc.) and does not give attribution. Here we provide a definition, some examples of plagiarism and suggest a few ways to avoid plagiarism.
Apr 1, 2024
PublishingQuest is a gripping adventure. Once you start, it’s hard to stop—literally!
Apr 1, 2024
On Think Academia, we asked the academic community to chime in with what might have made their academic life easier. Be it job security or networking and support systems, researchers poured in with their thoughts.
Mar 29, 2024
In scientific research, statisticians and researchers continually seek the most robust and informative methods to analyze data. The integration of Bayesian and frequentist statistics has emerged as a promising approach to glean comprehensive insights from complex datasets.
Mar 27, 2024
There are many individuals who have directly and indirectly contributed to the ever-growing field of scientific visualizations. Captured in this article are some of the contributions over time, leading upto the recent development of sophisticated software tools and platforms for immersive visualizations of scientific phenomena.
Mar 26, 2024
Here are some fascinating write-ups on Editage Insights that have covered nature’s trailblazers as well as the people who have been inspired by them. There are countless stories of determined researchers who have dedicated their lives to serving the forests and their inhabitants. Our quality of life today and in the decades to come will owe a lot to the “hidden figures” who make our planet sustainable!
Mar 21, 2024
Biomedical researchers conducting simulation studies should consider several key statistical aspects to ensure the validity and reliability of their findings. Here, we provide some important considerations.
Mar 19, 2024
Research misconduct translates into a colossal wastage of resources and distortion of the foundation of evidence. Several international guidelines on good research practices and publication ethics are available, of which we summarize a few here.
Mar 18, 2024
The sparks of children’s interest in science often ignite at the school level, but researchers can fan these flames to prevent them from extinguishing by communicating their research in an engaging and fun manner.
Mar 14, 2024
Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) is a valuable tool for biomedical researchers seeking to explore complex relationships in high-dimensional data. By providing intuitive visualizations and facilitating dimensionality reduction, MDS empowers researchers to uncover hidden patterns and gain insights that can drive scientific discovery and improve patient outcomes.
Mar 13, 2024
In research, English has probably helped break down barriers more than it has divided people, but the predominance of English is not an unalloyed good. The expectation of good English skills means that countless English as a second language (ESL) researchers need to navigate a difficult and stressful process just to get their research seen. How can overseas publishers and research collaborators reduce the burden so that ESL researchers can focus on their research?
Mar 12, 2024
In this post, we discuss the why retractions occur and how ethical researchers can deal with the prospect of their work being retracted.
Mar 11, 2024
Here are a few personal stories some of us associated with Editage Insights/CACTUS would like to share with you about the impact some women scientists have had on us.
Mar 7, 2024
n this article, we celebrate five prominent female academic leaders whose contributions have not only shaped their respective fields but have also become beacons of inspiration for generations to come. From breaking barriers in STEM disciplines to championing social justice in the humanities, these trailblazers exemplify the pivotal role women play in advancing knowledge and fostering inclusivity in academic spaces.
Mar 7, 2024
Female researchers doing fieldwork navigate unique risks that can impact their ability to contribute to scientific progress. By delving into the articles featured here, we embark on a journey to understand the challenges they face and advocate for their safety and success.
Mar 7, 2024
With advancements in technology and data analytics, personalized medicine has witnessed a surge in interest, offering the potential to revolutionize patient care. Among the various methodologies driving this revolution, Bayesian methods stand out for their ability to integrate prior knowledge, accommodate uncertainty, and provide robust inference tailored to individual patient characteristics.
Mar 6, 2024
How does one navigate International collaborations in academia? Here is the second part of a 2-part series on overcoming geographical and language challenges in research collaboration.
Mar 5, 2024
There are ways to strike a balance between career aspirations and caregiving responsibilities, and institutions are beginning to recognize the need for policies that encourage diversity and address the “leaky pipeline” problem in academia.
Mar 4, 2024
In the vast ocean of statistical methods, biomedical researchers often find themselves at a crossroads when choosing between traditional frequentist statistics and the increasingly popular Bayesian statistics. Let’s embark on a journey to help you navigate these statistical seas and choose the right approach for your research questions.
Mar 1, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to successfully collaborate across borders? Here is the first part of a 2-part series on overcoming geographical and language challenges in research collaboration. Here we bring you options ranging from AI tools, online communities and other tools and resources to help you foster productive collaborations internationally.
Feb 29, 2024
Open access (OA) publishing has been a transformative force in the academic community, democratizing knowledge and accelerating the pace of scientific discovery. Owing to the growing recognition of the importance of OA in scholarly communication, developments in this sphere have picked up momentum in recent years. Even funding agencies and institutions are increasingly adopting OA mandates.
Feb 28, 2024
As figures are visual in nature, making them accessible means meeting the needs of users with visual impairments. Those who use scientific figures, including paper authors and publishers, can make small adjustments to ensure that nobody is held back from accessing important information.
Feb 26, 2024
In the world of biomedical research, where every piece of data holds valuable insights, statistical tools like the Method of Moments play a crucial role. By demystifying this method, we hope to empower researchers to harness its potential and uncover hidden patterns within their data, ultimately contributing to advancements in our understanding of various biological phenomena.
Feb 26, 2024
Lasso penalized regression has proven to be a valuable asset in genetics research, aiding researchers in the identification of key genetic markers. By understanding its advantages, disadvantages, and taking necessary precautions, scientists can harness the power of Lasso regression and its variants to unravel the mysteries encoded in our genes.
Feb 23, 2024
A preliminary literature review lays the groundwork for research, aiding in question formulation and gap identification. In this infographic, discover expert tips to streamline and enhance this crucial phase of academic inquiry.
Feb 22, 2024
A variety of languages are spoken by researchers globally. In this article, we discuss the need for language inclusivity in research communication and pave the way for technological advances in future to help break barriers internationally.
Feb 21, 2024
The journey from research to global impact demands a commitment to multilingual accessibility. By embracing the challenges and leveraging the power of translation and technology, we can unlock the true potential of research, empowering diverse communities to shape a brighter future, one informed insight at a time.
Feb 20, 2024
Choosing the best regression method depends on several factors, including the nature of your data, the relationship between variables, and the assumptions of the regression models. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the most appropriate regression method.
Feb 18, 2024
The traditional boundaries that separated the “scientist” from “society” are rapidly disappearing. Here we provide a few reasons why scientists may need to incorporate training science communication or look for support. Some helpful reading resources are also provided at the end.
Feb 16, 2024
Meagan Phelan discusses strategies to improve communication between researchers and policymakers, along with the need to embrace uncertainty in scientific research. She also talks about the importance of authors engaging with global media groups to increase their visibility while upholding accuracy and integrity.
Feb 15, 2024
In biomedical research, recognizing and interpreting heterogeneity and homogeneity of treatment effects is crucial. Embracing both concepts allows for a comprehensive understanding of treatment efficacy, paving the way for advancements in patient care. Collaborating with an expert biostatistician can build an accurate picture of the treatment effects.
Feb 14, 2024
As a group leader, you have the potential to make a difference in your lab today, supporting diversity and fostering a collaborative global scientific community. As someone with authority, group leaders must always maintain an atmosphere where foreign researchers do not need to fit in and toss away their individuality. An open mindset to welcome people from different backgrounds can work wonders for a lab.
Feb 13, 2024
Here, are some specific guidelines to help you ensure that you’re using your time, energy, and creative resources wisely to achieve your social media goals. By actively engaging in this ecosystem, you can contribute to the advancement of science and benefit society as a whole.
Feb 11, 2024
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let us celebrate the remarkable journeys of female researchers who have defied stereotypes, shattered barriers, and pursued their passion for science. Join us as we delve into the personal stories of triumph, resilience, and empowerment of four female researchers. We hope these will keep inspiring you!
Feb 9, 2024
Social media can allow researchers to connect, collaborate, disseminate their research, and keep up with the latest developments in their fields. Choosing from the plethora of options available is a challenge. However, in the recent times, with the changing social media landscape, does it still make sense to invest time and effort in effective networking? And if yes, then where?
Feb 8, 2024
Japan has an impressive range of Japanese-language research journals and a well-developed academic publishing ecosystem. While Japan is a top-class research nation, many Japanese researchers report difficulties in using English, particularly in terms of vocabulary. Why do Japanese academics experience these problems, and how can they be overcome?
Feb 6, 2024
A vigilant approach toward avoiding the citation of retracted papers can help safeguard the integrity of scholarly discourse, By incorporating these strategies, you can contribute to the improvement of the reliability and credibility of scientific literature, while safeguarding yourself from perpetuating the errors or fraud of retracted literature.
Feb 5, 2024
As per the tradition, scientists are often judged by the scientific publications they produce and the journals where they publish them. However, traditional journals would only allow the publication of “positive results” — in other words, results that support your hypothesis. However, with time, the scientific research ecosystem has become aware that not just these positive results but also the results from failed experiments are crucial for the advancement of science.
Feb 2, 2024
With the rapidly increasing number of papers in every field, how does an early career researcher decide which paper to read in detail? From prioritizing one’s time to knowing what to focus on, here are some tips to get you going.
Feb 1, 2024
This video talks about some of the best tools to make your systematic literature process fast and accurate. The speaker of the video is Karel Patrek, who has a D. Phil. degree for his thesis on breast cancer. He has 40 years of academic and applied research experience, has published 100+ preclinical and clinical research papers throughout his career, and has reviewed and edited manuscripts in pharmaceuticals, biology, medicine, and related areas, including genes, proteins, peptides, and small-molecule drug development. Being a non-native English speaker himself, he is familiar with the issues researchers may have when drafting manuscripts for publication. He can advise on the content and structure of the parts of manuscripts, making text readable. He stresses the importance of adhering to the target journals’ content and formatting requirements when submitting a manuscript.
Jan 30, 2024
Biomedical researchers often find themselves navigating through complex statistical methods to make sense of their data. One such method that can be incredibly useful in analyzing relationships between variables is Kendall’s Tau. By understanding this simple yet powerful statistical measure, researchers can gain insights into the connections between variables, ultimately advancing our understanding of diseases, treatments, and patient outcomes.
Jan 30, 2024
Field research is a critical means to fill gaps in existing knowledge, provide a deeper understanding of a subject, and uncover new insights. The impact of researcher safety cannot be understated as it directly affects the quality and integrity of scientific research conducted in the field. Researcher safety in fieldwork calls for proactive risk management, comprehensive safety protocols, and a supportive environment for researchers. By prioritizing researcher safety, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to ethical research practices and the physical and mental well-being of their researchers. A field researcher must feel free to enjoy their time in the field and maximize their potential without having to look over their shoulder.
Jan 25, 2024
Biomedical researchers can use these tips to navigate big data with the help of a biostatistician. Researchers should to assess the data quality, identify potential sources of bias or confounding, and implement appropriate measures.
Jan 25, 2024
Shubha Tole, Principal Investigator at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, talks about what a PhD journey actually involves, how PhD students can cultivate connections with those who can guide them through this journey, and how mentors/seniors can support them.
Jan 24, 2024
Mental health advocate Divya Utreja talks about what debriefing is, why it is important in research, and how you may do it effectively and efficiently.
Jan 23, 2024
Read this blogpost to understand what Bayesian Neural Network is, its advantages, and challenges.
Jan 22, 2024
This article sheds light on various tools tailored for biomedical researchers, each equipped with unique features and functionalities.
Jan 19, 2024
In this post, we look at how common word choices can help or hinder your impact, and how to handle clichés in your writing.
Jan 18, 2024
This blogpost breaks down Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) and explores why it’s becoming a game-changer for biomedical researchers.
Jan 17, 2024
If you’ve ever wondered how to identify trustworthy publications, watch this video. Miguel shares valuable insights on distinguishing between predatory and authentic journals and provides key indicators including a few red flags. This information will help you navigate and safeguard your research journey!
Jan 16, 2024
How can you make your paper stand out to both specialist and generalist readers? Creating appealing and accessible formats such as lay summaries and visual abstracts can help greatly. Read on to find out why graphical abstracts are important.
Jan 15, 2024
This blogpost will act like a guide for biomedical researchers by explaining the principle behind propensity score weighting along with its advantages and disadvantages.
Jan 10, 2024
The rise of generative AI, exemplified by language models like ChatGPT, is reshaping scientific publication ownership. While AI aids research by generating content, it poses questions on authorship and ownership. Read this blogpost to find out more.
Jan 10, 2024
In this blogpost, we will explore the usefulness of Bayesian methods in prognostic research, highlight the challenges in statistical analysis, and delve into some common Bayesian methods employed in prognostic studies.
Jan 10, 2024
You’d have read about the common errors and pitfalls in writing in English but this article is more about the issues English-as-a-second-language (ESL) researchers face in navigating the heavily English-biased world of academic publishing.
Jan 9, 2024
Editage Insights brings you this curated list, focussed on preparing effective tables and figures as adjuncts to text in research papers.
Jan 8, 2024
This blogpost lists the top 5 prompts that researchers must use AI tools like ChatGPT for.
Jan 5, 2024
In this blogpost, we’ll take a look at how such analyses can be conducted, with a step-by-step explanation of the process.
Jan 4, 2024
In the intricate world of academic publishing, one crucial step can make or break your manuscript: selecting the right reviewers. Here are some do's and don'ts.
Jan 2, 2024
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of websites, forums, and programs designed to assist academic expatriates throughout their educational journey.
Jan 1, 2024
This is an infographic, created by Mind the Graph, on the top 5 challenges associated with this form of publishing.
Dec 28, 2023
Dive into the dynamic realm of research methodologies with this video on prospective and retrospective study designs. The video explores the nuances that distinguish these approaches, offering valuable insights into how we shape and understand scientific inquiry.
Dec 26, 2023
Despite setbacks, scandals, and drama, 2023 delivered on its expectation of being a fascinating and productive year for the world’s research and academic communities. Read this insightful lookback on the year 2023 and what we can expect in 2024.
Dec 25, 2023
Biomedical research often deals with complex phenomena, and missing values can throw a wrench into our data analyses. This blogpost explains Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE), which might just be the spell you need to tackle those pesky missing values.
Dec 22, 2023
This infographic, created by Mind the Graph, lists 5 tips on how you may harness the power of AI while upholding the principles of integrity and transparency.
Dec 20, 2023
Read this blogpost to understand why Bayesian methods must be used to analyze longitudinal data and which of the Bayesian methods work well.
Dec 20, 2023
By addressing language barriers, we can empower diverse communities to participate in research and contribute to shaping the future. Read this short blogpost to understand how to address that language barrier.
Dec 19, 2023
Algorithms and custom software need to be employed to make sense of the data, to identify patterns or trends and to glean insights. But, even after that, a visual representation can provide a lot more perspectives than an array of numbers. Read more to find out how.
Dec 18, 2023
Many biomedical problems require intricate, multifaceted models. Bayesian statistics can handle these complexities seamlessly, allowing you to create models that reflect the real-world intricacies of biological systems. This blogpost lists 10 steps you must know to get started with it.
Dec 15, 2023
Google DeepMind has announced that Gemini, Google’s new AI solution, has outperformed GPT-4 in 30 out of 32 standard tests. Read more to find out everything about Gemini.
Dec 15, 2023
In this video, Divya Utreja, Editor, Psychology and Psychosocial Healthcare, explains some important do’s and don’ts before, during, and after research that will help you steer clear of any unethical practice when conducting research on a marginalized tribal community.
Dec 14, 2023
Bayesian information borrowing allows you to leverage existing knowledge from related studies or domains. Read this post to understand Bayesian information borrowing in detail, and steps and precautions to take for Bayesian information borrowing.
Dec 13, 2023
This is a list of 11 reading resources that will will help you express your research confidently in English through simple, practical tips on how to avoid common mistakes and make your writing clear and impactful.
Dec 12, 2023
In this episode of the Insights Exchange Podcast, we set out on a journey through the nuances of scholarly communications with Heather Staines – a veteran in scholarly communications and the director of community engagement at Delta Think.
Dec 11, 2023
As the year 2023 is coming towards an end, we have compiled our top 10 articles for you!
Dec 11, 2023
In this blogpost, we’ve examined how machine learning benefits various aspects of clinical trial management, from planning the study to overseeing participants and handling data.
Dec 8, 2023
For an early career researcher, such as a PhD student or post-doc, leaving the lab over the holiday may not be an option. Here are some ways to get research work done and still enjoy the holidays.
Dec 7, 2023
In this blog post, we have broken down the concept of joint modeling in simple terms and explained its significance for biomedical researchers.
Dec 6, 2023
Language isn’t just a tool for communication; it shapes our worldviews, influences our experiences, and encodes unique knowledge systems. Read more to understand it’s time to move beyond the limitations of a single language and unlock the full potential of knowledge that lies within the symphony of human tongues.
Dec 5, 2023
Explore independent publishing and understand its benefits and pitfalls so that you may take an informed decision that you don't regret later.
Dec 4, 2023
This infographic presents five key things biomedical researchers need to know about correlation analysis in order to produce reliable results.
Dec 1, 2023
The process of generating a research problem statement begins with asking the right question. But how can we formulate this question? As a passionate robotics researcher, Miguel Díaz-Rodríguez has explored this process and would like to share some insights.
Nov 30, 2023
Editage Insights turns 10 this month! We took this opportunity to share our journey of sharing insights, fostering learning, and shaping the platform into a repository of expertise over these years.
Nov 29, 2023
This is an excerpt from an article by a researcher who had an interesting and humbling cultural experience while pursuing her postdoctorate in a native English--speaking country while herself being a non-native English speaker.
Nov 28, 2023
Analyzing time-to-event data is crucial in understanding the progression and outcomes of diseases, treatment effectiveness, and more. Here are some important considerations for statistical analysis of time-to-event data in biomedical research.
Nov 27, 2023
This blogpost explains in detail what Bayesian statistics is, what is its use in survival analysis, and pros and cons of using different bayesian models.
Nov 24, 2023
This infographic, created using Mind the Graph, states 4 benefits of publishing open access.
Nov 24, 2023
This blogpost covers things you might want to consider if you want to be involved in SDG research, and provides resources that offer a wealth of information, data, and guidance for conducting research aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nov 22, 2023
What makes peer reviewer feedback good or bad? How can you write effective and helpful review feedback? Prof. Sin Wang Chong (Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education Institute, University of St Andrews) shares insights.
Nov 22, 2023
To ensure the validity and reliability of your findings, it's essential to take specific precautions during statistical analysis. This blogpost lists 10 key precautions for biomedical researchers conducting longitudinal studies.
Nov 21, 2023
November 20, 2023, 15:00 PM - November 22, 2023, 17:30 PM UTC 
This blogpost explains some key considerations for analyzing clustered data, along with common approaches and their advantages and disadvantages.
Nov 16, 2023
This infographic, curated by Mind the Graph, lists 5 applications of AI in the academic world.
Nov 15, 2023
In the context of biomedical research, count data can be thought of as the number of times an event of interest occurs within a defined sample or population. This infographic states the 5 most popular statistical tests for count data.
Nov 14, 2023
As an early career researcher, you may be wondering about the costs of publishing your work in academic journals and how to fund them. What is APC? Why do journals charge it? What problems do they face? read this article to find answers to these questions and many more!
Nov 9, 2023
The publication process involves many stakeholders, so delays are inevitable. In this post, we discuss some common bottlenecks that can slow the publication process, and offer some practical tips on how to minimize them.
Nov 9, 2023
In this blog post, we will explore practical tips and strategies tailored specifically for mid-career researchers in life sciences to maximize the impact of their work and propel their careers to new heights of scientific excellence.
Nov 9, 2023
Despite some obvious ethical concerns, AI has significant benefits in improving research quality and time if used with caution. This blogpost talks about it at length.
Nov 8, 2023
Preprints are preliminary versions of scientific manuscripts that are published on the World Wide Web, freely accessible by all, without peer review. This post explains the benefits of preprints, some popular pre-print services, and why researchers, especially beginners, must embrace it.
Nov 6, 2023
Researchers employ statistical approaches, including machine and deep learning approaches. These methods help researchers and healthcare professionals make accurate diagnoses, understand disease mechanisms, and develop treatment strategies. This post explores some of these approaches and how they’re used in making sense of imaging data.
Nov 6, 2023
We''ll take you into the world of Bayesian methods and how they can be your secret weapon for efficient and effective data cleaning.
Nov 3, 2023
The supplemental data are crucial to many papers. This post answers some common questions about supplemental data, how they can help you, how they can be used responsibly, and some best practices.
Nov 2, 2023
Mixed effects models are statistical tools designed to handle complex data structures commonly encountered in biomedical research. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular mixed effects models used in biomedical research, assumptions, advantages, and applications.
Nov 1, 2023
This is a comprehensive guide to take you through the ins and outs of reference-management software programs and how to harness their full potential.
Oct 31, 2023
This article explains what is survival analysis, its uses, how to conduct a survival analyses, and some best practices.
Oct 31, 2023
If you are a PhD holder, you have a lot more than a degree or certificate – you have critical-thinking, management, and communication skills. But you likely also experience imposter syndrome and insecurities every once in a while. This blogpost will help you explore careers outside core academia with support and self-belief.
Oct 30, 2023
Predicting trends is an important part of biomedical research. In this blogpost, we have explained everything about time-series forecasting which can help you make valuable recommendations to guide patient care or health policy.
Oct 30, 2023
Publishers play a central and crucial role in this transformation to an open access world. So, to gain insights into some of the challenges faced and progress made with these efforts, we invited views from Stacey Burke, Publications Director of Digital, Marketing & Library Relations at the American Physiological Society (APS).
Oct 27, 2023
This International Open Access Week, we bring you a handbook that covers the basics of open access and tips on how to publish your work in open access journals.
Oct 26, 2023
To help you understand some of the basic terms related to open access and understand this publishing model better, we are thrilled to offer you a free downloadable glossary of open access terms!
Oct 26, 2023
Dr. Sridhar Gutam, senior scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, India, and founder of “Open Access India” shares insights into the open access movement in India.
Oct 25, 2023
In this blog post, we’ll explore what basket trials are, their significance, and the crucial considerations for statistical analysis within this innovative framework.
Oct 25, 2023
While OA initiatives have brought down barriers to information access, the extent to which they have genuinely achieved universal accessibility is debated. This exploration delves into the current state of OA, deliberating on achievements, complexities, and potential solutions to problems.
Oct 24, 2023
In this blogpost, we'll demystify how Bayesian statistics can revolutionize your approach to meta-analysis.
Oct 23, 2023
An open approach to communicating scientific results can benefit the process of research by making it faster, more efficient, and collaborative. Other than significantly benefiting academics, publishing results in open access journals encourages the research output to reach those whose needs the research stemmed from – the people in the society. Read in detail.
Oct 23, 2023
While we all wait for Open Access Week 2023 begin, we have some Open Access related resources from the archives to get you prepared!
Oct 20, 2023
In this blogpost, we’ll explore different types of cluster analysis, its real-world applications, and its pros and cons as a tool to navigate the complex landscape of biomedical data.
Oct 20, 2023
In this blogpost, we’ll break down Principal Components Analysis (PCA) in simple terms, explore its applications in biomedical research, discuss its advantages and disadvantages, and share some crucial precautions to consider before diving into PCA.
Oct 19, 2023
Journal guidelines are super important when it comes to submission. This post talks in detail about their importance, typical guidelines and ensure your paper follows them, and tips on how to deal with complex guidelines.
Oct 19, 2023
In the fast-evolving world of biomedical research, principal investigators need a solid understanding of how to handle and analyze data effectively. Check out this infographic to know the details.
Oct 18, 2023
Scholarly publishing is a rapidly evolving landscape. As we move towards the end of this year, here's predicting some future trends of the industry.
Oct 17, 2023
As we stand at the midpoint of the journey to the 2030 deadline for attaining the SDGs, it is worthwhile to take a moment to see how academic publishing is supporting this pursuit and what more should be done.
Oct 17, 2023
What is the key to creating a CV that will open doors to that academic position just right for you? The answer is a winning academic CV—one that effectively highlights your academic qualifications, research and teaching experience, publications, and other academic achievements. This post takes you through some of the steps in creating a great academic CV.
Oct 16, 2023
In this blog post, we’ll break down what Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) is, how it works, and explore some fascinating applications of RDD in answering pressing research questions.
Oct 16, 2023
Citations can be used to support your research effectively. They not only back up your ideas but also show that you've done your homework. They build upon your claims too by supporting them with the work of other experts. Here are some tips to make your citations work effectively.
Oct 12, 2023
Read this article to understand heteroskedasticity and homoskedasticity in order to assess the quality of data, make informed decisions about statistical methods, and interpret the reliability of study findings.
Oct 11, 2023
The task of writing a book (or a monograph) is bound to appear daunting, but the trick to completing it is to divide it into manageable chunks and to follow a systematic process. Read on to find how!
Oct 10, 2023
If you are a researcher, you probably collect, analyze, and use all sorts of data to support your findings. But what happens to your data after you publish your paper? Read this article to know more about open data, its advantages, and its best practices.
Oct 10, 2023
Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to orient your efforts is one way to showcase the societal impact of your research, not only to demonstrate the value and relevance of your work, but also so that you can attract more funding, recognition, and support from various stakeholders. Read on to find out how.
Oct 9, 2023
In this blogpost, we describe some valuable strategies for biomedical researchers eager to enhance their analytical prowess.
Oct 9, 2023
Bayesian clinical trial design is more flexible and adaptive as compared to the traditional ones. Read this blogpost to know everything about Bayesian Adaptive design, the popular ones used in clinical trials, and its challenges.
Oct 6, 2023
In the recent three decades, search engines and online archives for indexed journals have accelerated the literature search process. Here we discuss how AI tools today can provide the capability and promise of rapid and meaningful literature.
Oct 5, 2023
This downloadable handbook is a peer reviewing guide specifically developed for early career researchers so that they feel empowered to build their reviewing ability and confidence.
Oct 4, 2023
Download this free handbook to know how you can forge your identity as a peer reviewer and harness the potential of peer review to your advantage.
Oct 4, 2023
On the occasion of International Peer Review Week, ScienceTalks and Editage jointly invited experts to answer questions about peer review. Here are the top questions posed to the “Ask Me Anything” panel that included Joan Marsh, Matthew Hodgkinson, and Jadranka Stojanovski.
Oct 3, 2023
This infographic demystifies sample size, statistical power, and effect size for biomedical researchers, breaking down these concepts into bite-sized nuggets so that you can design studies that stand up to scrutiny and make a real impact.
Oct 3, 2023
Navigating the complex scenario of open access publishing can be challenging for early career researchers, especially those in the humanities and social science disciplines. Read this article to know more about publishing open access in humanities.
Oct 3, 2023
Prof. Sin Wang Chong, Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education Institute, University of St Andrews, talks about the importance of shaping the future of peer review based on the principles of inclusivity and empowerment, in particular, empowerment of early career researchers.
Sep 29, 2023
Prof. Sin Wang Chong, Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education Institute, University of St Andrews, discusses how researchers from all linguistic backgrounds can learn to provide constructive feedback and the potential ways AI can help peer reviewers improve their feedback quality ethically.
Sep 29, 2023
Prof. Sin Wang Chong, Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education Institute, University of St Andrews, describes what feedback literacy is and why it’s important in peer review and scholarly publishing.
Sep 29, 2023
In this blog post, we’re going to take a journey through sophisticated data visualization techniques and tools that have been proven useful and valuable for biomedical researchers.
Sep 27, 2023
Dr Lilia Mantai, Senior Lecturer at The University of Sydney Business School, shares perspectives on the value of peer review in academic careers and how this invaluable contribution can be recognized better.
Sep 27, 2023
What are outliers and how can we handle them effectively? This blogpost takes you on a journey through the world of outliers and discover the best practices in handling them.
Sep 26, 2023
This Peer Review Week, let’s take a quick tour of some of the crucial developments in peer review and its prospects for the future.
Sep 25, 2023
In this article, we provide an overview of the possibilities and concerns of using AI in peer review and how best AI can come together with human expertise.
Sep 25, 2023
Dr Helen Buckley Woods, Research Fellow at Research on Research Institute, shares her findings and thoughts on new developments in peer review and how different schools of thought can reshape peer review in the future.
Sep 25, 2023
This blogpost will give you an overview of Bayesian hierarchical models and outline some best practices you can follow while using them.
Sep 25, 2023
In this blogpost, we’ll walk you through some best practices in data analysis for GWAS, ensuring that you can embark on your genetic discovery journey with confidence.
Sep 20, 2023
Infographics are incisive representations of data that are designed to facilitate comprehension and make it easier to understand and remember. This infographic explains the 6 benefits of using infographics in your research paper. Made by Mind the Graph.
Sep 19, 2023
Read this post to understand science communication, why it's important, and tips for effectively communicating your scientific research.
Sep 18, 2023
This blogpost will outline some best practices that can help you not only boost your efficiency and productivity as a researcher but also contribute toward ethical science and research.
Sep 18, 2023
Peer review can be a long-drawn process that involves long waiting periods, understanding the various stages of the review process, dealing with reviewer comments, responding to those comments, and revising the paper based on the comments. Here are 12 frequently asked questions about peer review with summarized answers.
Sep 15, 2023
In this blogpost, we’ll explore the magic of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and how to leverage its potential in biomedical research, starting with a quick explanation of what MCMC actually is.
Sep 15, 2023
Comments from peer reviewers, more often than not, offer an excellent opportunity to improve the quality of your manuscript. Read this post to handle the peer review process as an author with more confidence and learn to take reviewer comments in your stride.
Sep 14, 2023
Read this post to fully understand AI’s advantages as well as the problems that can occur when using AI tools for academic research.
Sep 13, 2023
Bootstrapping is a powerful tool, but like any statistical method, it should be applied thoughtfully. Read this post to learn all about bootstrapping.
Sep 13, 2023
The author and the copyeditor play equally important roles in the publication process. By working together, the author and the copyeditor can produce high-quality research papers that are ready for publication. Here we describe the roles they both play in the successful publication of a paper.
Sep 11, 2023
Choosing the right journal is a crucial decision for early career researchers. Here we will explore a few key considerations to help guide early career researchers in making informed choices when selecting a journal.
Sep 11, 2023
Accuracy and integrity are essential in biomedical research. Here are a few tips to help you collect reliable data.
Sep 11, 2023
In this video, we’ll guide you through structuring your ideas logically, emphasizing the significance of subsections, in order to enhance the impact of your research.
Sep 8, 2023
Performing cross-validation correctly can help ensure that you get robust and reliable results. Here we discuss the how's and why's of cross-validating your data. By dissecting your data and analyzing it from different angles, you can have confidence that your discoveries are applicable beyond your immediate dataset.
Sep 8, 2023
In this quick and easy guide, we’re going to unravel the mysteries of survival analysis and how it teams up with big data to give us fascinating insights into health and medicine.
Sep 7, 2023
Accurate attribution is one of the guiding principles of academic integrity ensuring that credit is given where credit is due. Here we offer some tips on how to avoid citation errors and biases while writing your manuscript.
Sep 7, 2023
Statistical analysis is an integral part of biomedical research, right from designing the study to choosing appropriate methods and running inferential tests. Here are 7 tips to help you lead your team even if you are not a biostatistician.
Sep 6, 2023
Recruiting and retaining participants for medical research studies is a critical aspect of advancing scientific knowledge and improving healthcare outcomes. However, this process can be particularly challenging for both early career researchers and mid-career researchers who are navigating the intricacies of conducting research in the medical field. These challenges have the potential to hinder the progress of their studies and impede the generation of robust and impactful findings.Early career researchers, in the early stages of their research journey, often face difficulties in establishing their credibility and gaining the trust of potential participants. Limited resources and a lack of research infrastructure may further compound these challenges. On the other hand, mid-career researchers, although more experienced, encounter their own unique set of obstacles. They may struggle with participant recruitment due to increased competition for participants, limited time availability, or complex study requirements. Additionally, mid-career researchers may have to balance their research responsibilities with other professional commitments, adding an additional layer of complexity to participant engagement and retention.Here are some examples:1. Engaging with Potential Participants and their Communities: To improve recruitment rates, researchers should proactively engage with potential participants and their communities. Building rapport and trust with patients, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups can enhance the likelihood of participation. Attending community events, establishing collaborations with healthcare facilities, and leveraging patient registries or support groups can facilitate access to potential participants.Example: A mid-career researcher investigating the effectiveness of a novel diabetes management program may collaborate with local clinics and diabetes support groups to connect with potential participants and raise awareness about the study.2. Designing Participant-Friendly Studies: Consideration of participant burden is essential to improve recruitment and retention rates. Seasoned professionals recommend designing studies that are feasible, convenient, and accommodating to participants' needs and schedules. Minimizing time and effort required for participation, providing flexible visit schedules, and utilizing remote monitoring technologies can reduce barriers to participation.Example: An early career researcher conducting a clinical trial on a new treatment for chronic pain may offer evening or weekend study visits to accommodate participants' work schedules and provide transportation assistance to minimize the burden of travel.3. Offering Incentives: Providing appropriate incentives can motivate participants to enroll and remain engaged in the study. Seasoned professionals suggest offering incentives such as reimbursement for travel expenses, compensation for time, or access to interventions or services that are beneficial to participants.Example: A mid-career researcher conducting a study on smoking cessation may offer participants nicotine replacement therapy or counseling sessions as incentives to encourage their continued participation.4. Involving Patients and Stakeholders: Including patients and stakeholders from the outset can enhance recruitment and retention rates. Engaging patients as partners in the research process not only increases their investment but also improves the relevance and impact of the study. Collaboration with patient advisory groups or involving patient representatives on study advisory boards can provide valuable insights and guidance.Example: An early career researcher investigating the impact of a new healthcare intervention for a specific disease may collaborate with patient advocacy groups to ensure the study design and recruitment strategies align with patients' needs and preferences.5. Open Communication and Participant Support: Maintaining open lines of communication with participants throughout the study is crucial. Researchers should provide clear explanations of study procedures, address participant concerns promptly, and establish mechanisms for regular feedback. Offering support, such as reminder calls, educational materials, or dedicated study coordinators, can also enhance participant engagement and retention.Example: A mid-career researcher conducting a longitudinal study on aging and cognition may establish regular check-ins with participants, provide a dedicated helpline for study-related questions, and offer educational materials on healthy aging.By implementing these strategies and adapting them to the specific context of their studies, researchers can overcome recruitment and retention challenges, ensuring successful participant engagement and the generation of robust and impactful research outcomes in the field of medicine.
Sep 5, 2023
Statistical analysis is an integral part of biomedical research, but it’s often difficult to choose the right test to run. In this guide, we’ll delve into when and how to use these tests effectively, armed with examples from biomedical research.
Sep 4, 2023
By following a style guide, authors can make their work easier to read and understand. Each style guide has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for a particular paper will depend on the discipline and the journal to which it is being submitted.
Sep 4, 2023
Take a look at our video on cultivating an inclusive and sensitive tone in academic writing.
Sep 1, 2023
AI authorship and its use in content creation is a constantly evolving area. Most publishers allow authors to use AI tools to improve the language and brevity of the manuscript with proper disclosures. In this piece, we explore the landscape of journal guidelines regarding use of AI in publishing.
Aug 31, 2023
Open science can result in academic and industrial researchers joining forces to make new scientific discoveries that could have a huge societal impact. This article focuses on one such issue.
Aug 30, 2023
This infographic offers some tips to foster a successful partnership with a biostatistician to significantly enhance the quality and impact of your research.
Aug 29, 2023
The process of post-acceptance copyediting is a crucial step in ensuring the quality and accuracy of a manuscript before it is published. This post lists a few effective strategies to avoid some of the most common queries during copyediting.
Aug 29, 2023
T-test is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you compare the means of two groups, making it a fundamental test in biomedical research. This post covers some key points you need to know to ensure accurate and meaningful results.
Aug 28, 2023
This post is about all the ways in which a biostatistician can boost your statistical abilities, empowering you to design studies and analyze data with confidence.
Aug 25, 2023
This post looks at the relavence of style guides in today's digital world, talks about subject-specific style manuals and general-purpose style manuals, and explains why it still holds the same importance for researchers as it did decades ago.
Aug 24, 2023
In this video, learn how to create the perfect abstract for your research paper and strike the perfect balance between brevity and information, and capture the essence of your research while enticing readers.
Aug 23, 2023
Since post-acceptance copyediting is usually the last stage in the publication cycle, it provides an opportunity to identify and rectify any language-related errors or inconsistencies, ensuring that your paper is publication-ready. Read this post to know more!
Aug 23, 2023
The race to publish and technological innovation have contributed to the prolific scale at the cost of energy and resources. This post talks at length about some actionable steps that a researcher can take to achieve sustainable goals in their laboratory or research setting.
Aug 22, 2023
In this blog post, we'll explore the challenges we often face during data cleaning and present some user-friendly solutions.
Aug 21, 2023
In this blogpost, we’ll look at certain best practices to strengthen your regression analyses and make sure you’re generating high-quality, robust evidence.
Aug 18, 2023
Are you an author or contributor? Is this a question that often occurs to you? This article explains CRediT, short for Contributor Roles Taxonomy, to help you with properly filling the CRediT statement while journal submissions.
Aug 18, 2023
This video talks about the pivotal role images play in conveying scientific discoveries, while also addressing the ethical pitfalls that can arise.
Aug 17, 2023
In this handy infographic, we’ve compiled essential tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your favourite statistical tools.
Aug 16, 2023
This post talks about the importance of alternative/innovative ways to communicate science, how art fits in science communication, and the different forms of art for science communication.
Aug 14, 2023
AI tools are being used to write essays, create illustrations, and even write books. This post highlights the benefits of using AI tools, challenges you may face, and what are global universities' guidelines.
Aug 11, 2023
In recent months, the Japanese Yen (JPY) has fallen greatly in value against the United States Dollar (USD). This post reviews the impact of the exchange rate on research in Japan and the long-term prospects of a weakened yen.
Aug 10, 2023
This post lists some valuable tips and tricks to optimize reviewing a copyedited manuscript.
Aug 8, 2023
This post acts as your go-to guide about standardized coefficients -- what are they, when are they needed, how to interpret, and much more.
Aug 8, 2023
Sharing data in an open repository increases a study’s transparency, allowing other researchers to validate and reproduce the findings. As a result, open access to datasets promotes scientific discovery, transparency, and the impact of a particular study. Watch this video to learn why it’s important and how you may do it without going unethical.
Aug 7, 2023
Data cleaning sets the foundation for trustworthy analyses and robust results. This post uncovers some of the common pitfalls that might trip researchers up during the data cleaning process.
Aug 4, 2023
Infographics are visual communication formats containing graphs, charts, and illustrations. This article explores the role of infographics in healthcare and how they contribute to enhanced comprehension.
Aug 4, 2023
This post lists 3 steps to help you choose the right statistical test for your study. Read on!
Aug 3, 2023
This article explores the reasons why authors should actively engage with and adhere to journal guidelines throughout the publication process.
Aug 2, 2023
Relationships between variables are tested using correlation, association, or regression analysis. In this post, we’ve looked at some important precautions for such analyses, to ensure your findings are reliable and provide high-quality evidence.
Aug 1, 2023
In this blog post, we’ll explore five key trends that are currently shaping statistical analysis in the field.
Aug 1, 2023
This post highlights how a well-prepared background section can greatly impact the overall success of a study.
Jul 31, 2023
A biostatistician can help you catch misses and errors in your statistical analysis, boosting your chances of publication as well as the impact of your research. We are here to collaborate with you.
Jul 28, 2023
In this article, we will explore practical techniques designed specifically for medical researchers to overcome writer's block and boost their productivity in crafting high-quality medical journal articles, research papers, and research articles.
Jul 28, 2023
This post explores the underlying reasons that define the scope of copyediting and states reasons why you need copyediting and proofreading services for your research paper.
Jul 27, 2023
In this article, we’re going to talk about visual abstracts—what they are, what the different types are, how they help to enhance the communication of results, and what their overall impact is.
Jul 27, 2023
In this listicle, we have compiled nine legitimate methods to access research literature without having to pay out of your own pocket.
Jul 25, 2023
Peer Review Week 2023 (September 25-29) is back this year promises to be even more thrilling as we explore the captivating theme of "Peer Review and the Future of Publishing"!
Jul 21, 2023
This post talks about the top seven practices that will empower you to communicate your biomedical research with utmost clarity and openness.
Jul 21, 2023
The dominance of English language presents unique challenges for non-native English speakers who are part of the global academic community. This post explores some of those challenges and how they can be handled.
Jul 21, 2023
This infographic shows 5 ways in which a biostatistician can help you get your research just right.
Jul 20, 2023
The trend towards APCs has seen a sharp increase in recent years. his shift in the cost burden from university libraries to individual research groups has raised concerns about the sustainability of the APC model and its potential to hinder research productivity.
Jul 19, 2023
This post explains how ESL authors may use AI tools like ChatGPT and other online tools to help overcome the barrier of language and publishing manuscripts in English successfully.
Jul 18, 2023
In this blog post, we’ll explore four key practices to maximize the potential of your ANOVAs.
Jul 17, 2023
This post elaborates eight critical areas where Chat GPT and similar AI models fall short in fulfilling researcher needs, urging caution and highlighting the importance of human expertise.
Jul 17, 2023
Omics data analysis is an evolving field, and staying up to date with the latest trends is crucial for unlocking new insights and advancing our understanding of human health. this post lists 5 emerging trends that are shaping the world of omics data analysis.
Jul 14, 2023
Do you think you can be accused of having plagiarized the content of your academic paper? Read this article to understand why you should avoid plagiarism and how you may avoid and reduce it.
Jul 13, 2023
In the area of academic writing and editing, AI's impact is high, offering researchers a range of tools, but it comes with its own set of complexities. What we need to work towards is understanding how we can create a balance between the use of AI to lighten our load, and our own intellect to push the boundaries of knowledge. Read on to find out more.
Jul 12, 2023
This article explores the importance of publication ethics for researchers and some essential considerations to guide you on your publication ethics journey as a mid-career researcher.
Jul 12, 2023
This article is a brief overview of how inclusive-language guidelines have evolved, some key considerations, and important standard guidelines on how to use inclusive and bias-free language in your research papers with some examples and discipline-specific notes.
Jul 11, 2023
Data dredging refers to the practice of exploring data exhaustively, trying out different combinations and analyses until a statistically significant result is found, purely by chance. Read on to find out more about the pitfalls of data dredging and how to avoid falling into the trap.
Jul 10, 2023
The launch of Threads, the innovative research collaboration app, caused a delightful ripple effect within the Twitterverse. This post lists 5 ways Threads can help you as a researcher. Read on to find out more.
Jul 7, 2023
Watch our editor Tiffany Leonard talk about being sensitive to individuals and bias-free in text.
Jul 7, 2023
This article discusses the devices—headings and subheadings, typical connecting words, phrases, and punctuation marks—that show how sentences and paragraphs form a coherent whole and make clearer to readers the overall structure of a piece of writing and the underlying logic implicit in the writer’s mind.
Jul 6, 2023
As the Twitter exodus continues, it is crucial for researchers to critically evaluate the potential of Mastodon and actively engage in shaping its academic community. Read on to find out more.
Jul 5, 2023
Have you ever wondered whether collecting data at multiple time points from the same set of subjects could introduce some bias into your results? Well, repeated measures analysis is a statistical technique that allows us to examine changes in a variable over time while taking into account the correlated nature of the measurements. Read this article to find out the details.
Jul 5, 2023
No wonder unpublished content is a pain point for researchers. This post suggests some ways of turning that into published material, though not always in the form of a research paper.
Jul 4, 2023
In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide to help researchers better understand and navigate the peer review process.
Jul 3, 2023
Academic editor Denise Mager talks about how she decides what statistical test to conduct.
Jul 3, 2023
In this video you will learn about what to include in the literature review of your research paper.
Jun 30, 2023
Join us on YouTube to watch Dr. Jacob Wickham’s webinar on identifying research gaps for innovation, and embark on a path of exploration, discovery, and scientific excellence.
Jun 29, 2023
In this blog post we will explore the transformative potential of statistical analysis and how you can optimize its power to unlock new realms of research excellence.
Jun 29, 2023
In this blog post, we will explore the impact of misclassification of variables, provide practical examples to illustrate their significance, and discuss strategies to prevent and mitigate their effects.
Jun 27, 2023
In this article, we delve into the world of research challenges in medicine and provide valuable insights from seasoned professionals who have successfully tackled these hurdles.
Jun 26, 2023
This article explores the various views around using ChatGPT or any other LLM as a peer reviewing tool.
Jun 23, 2023
This article tells you why authoring a book or at least a chapter in a book is important for your CV, how you should approach the task, and what you may expect.
Jun 22, 2023
This article discusses how to intelligently use datasets, software, hardware, publications, and educational resources to improve the open science ecosystem.
Jun 21, 2023
In this post, David explores some potential benefits that Apple Vision Pro or similar devices could bring to scientific research and education.
Jun 16, 2023
Here is a handy guide on how to discuss prior studies differently while writing your background section and literature review.
Jun 15, 2023
If you’re worried about how a paper in a delisted journal would affect your reputation or credibility, here are some tips on how to navigate this situation.
Jun 15, 2023
Environmental research is a complex, multifaceted field. This post outlines some essential skills aspiring environmental researchers need to have impactful careers.
Jun 14, 2023
This article takes a look at the potential of deep learning and its remarkable impact on the biomedical landscape.
Jun 14, 2023
This blogpost looks at the crucial role that statistics plays in the identification of biomarkers from omics data, and get an idea of the powerful tools and methods that are currently being used for this.
Jun 12, 2023
Choosing between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs can be quite challenging. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best one.
Jun 9, 2023
In this infographic, find out how you can design a compelling scientific poster.
Jun 8, 2023
In this third and the last segment of a video series, Prof. Shinwari talks about what he believes will be important factors that will shape research careers in the future.
Jun 6, 2023
We bring you the second part of the All Things SciComm interview with Elisabeth Bik, where you can hear her talk about the role that different segments of the scientific community can play together to address unethical research. She also discusses the frustration of not seeing unethical practices being addressed, the retaliation and threats she faces because of her work, what keeps her going, and how social media can both help flag problematic research and undermine trust in science.
Jun 1, 2023
Soft skills encompass a wide range of abilities, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership. This article lists some essential soft skills for researchers and a few tips to excel in them.
May 30, 2023
This article highlights the dangers that paper mills pose and how well-meaning researchers can avoid their pitfalls.
May 30, 2023
By embracing alternative paths, these 9 former academics bring their unique perspectives and skills to various industries, enriching them with their knowledge and expertise. If you’re considering a non-academic career, we hope these stories inspire you to explore opportunities outside academia and find a meaningful career that’s right for you!
May 26, 2023
This infographic will equip you with essential tips for maintaining your lab notebook effectively.
May 25, 2023
This article explores the unique challenges faced by mid-career researchers and provide valuable tips to help them unlock the secrets of scholarly publishing. From selecting the right journal to maximizing the impact of their work, these insights will empower mid-career researchers to navigate the publishing journey with confidence, leveraging their experience and expertise to advance their careers.
May 24, 2023
This article is a comprehensive guide to help early career researchers effectively navigate the sea of medical literature, ensuring they stay informed, discover valuable resources, and contribute to their field of study with confidence.
May 24, 2023
In this engaging conversation between podcast host Nikesh Gosalia and Mark Hahnel, the founder and CEO of Figshare, Hahnel shares his personal story of how he ventured into research and found his niche in genomics and stem cell biology, the challenges he faced during his academic journey, and the pivotal moment that led him to create Figshare.
May 23, 2023
While one goal of peer review is verifying whether research data are plausible, there were never traditionally people who made a career out of investigating research data and processes to maintain scientific integrity. Read on to find out who these people are, what do they look for, and how they help in maintaining research integrity.
May 19, 2023
This is the second of a three-part interview series. In this segment, Prof. Shinwari talks about the research integrity oath he introduced in his lab earlier this year and what he hopes this initiative will achieve. He also discusses a multipronged approach to nurturing a research culture that promotes and rewards research and publication integrity.
May 18, 2023
This infographic has a list of five key considerations that can help you effectively discuss study limitations in your research manuscript.
May 18, 2023
The infographic presents important biases in qualitative research that researchers should be aware of when they conduct a qualitative study, and tips on how to avoid such biases.
May 18, 2023
This is a first-person account of a transgender grad student’s feelings of isolation, which eventually led them to move out of academia.
May 16, 2023
ScienceTalks spoke to Dr. Kevin Padian about his views on science communication and how improved communication can help address trust in science, a major source of suffering during the pandemic.
May 11, 2023
Have you heard of Sci-hub? This post looks at its history, what researchers think about it, and how does its future look like.
May 11, 2023
This blogpost introduces various statistical methods you can use to mitigate the challenges of missing and incomplete data in observational studies and clinical trials.
May 10, 2023
In this blogpost, we will delve into what ascertainment bias is, its implications in biomedical research, and strategies to prevent it, particularly for experienced biomedical researchers.
May 8, 2023
The infographic practical tips on how to incorporate mindfulness into your busy work life.
May 8, 2023
We will address two questions in this post: (i) Why is it important to make your research more accessible to a wider audience? (ii) How can you communicate your findings in a straightforward manner to make it comprehensible to many?
May 5, 2023
While there could be a host of symptoms indicating academic burnout, this infographic discusses some common ones that researchers or academics often experience.
May 4, 2023
The five key inputs from a biostatistician discussed in this post can help senior researchers in the biomedical sciences to craft a strong grant application.
Apr 27, 2023
Using diverse communication formats to communicate your research can help create more impact. This post discusses what these benefits are and which formats to use for different audiences and communication purposes.
Apr 26, 2023
This post covers the basics of copyright in reference to research papers. It explains what copyright is, what fair use and infringement are, and which types of copyright are typically used for scholarly publications.
Apr 26, 2023
Are you tired of struggling to communicate your research to your audience? This post explains in detail how to use two popular methods for visually conveying information – infographics and graphical abstracts.
Apr 25, 2023
How can researchers strive to have a fulfilling, impactful, and ethical research career? Prof. Zabta Khan Shinwari describes his own academic journey and shares views on what a researcher needs to know about the milestones to aim for, given the shifting priorities of research and the focus on research impact.
Apr 25, 2023
In this blog post, we will discuss three kinds of statistical analysis that play a critical role in ensuring a robust and reliable clinical trial: power analysis, testing of assumptions, and post-hoc comparisons.
Apr 24, 2023
Why do so many researchers eventually lose motivation and suffer from burnout? Furthermore, how can research group leaders maintain and improve the motivation necessary for members to do their incredible work? Read to find out.
Apr 20, 2023
Choosing a PhD supervisor and organization is a crucial decision that will determine your academic and professional trajectory. Here, we provide some basic dos and don’ts that PhD candidates should consider before narrowing down where and with whom to do a PhD.
Apr 19, 2023
Kyle earned his PhD in neuroscience from UC Davis in 2020, and after 18 months as a postdoc, transitioned in the biotech industry. Read about his transition to industry, what he has learned from his experiences and interactions, and what advice he would share with those who want to make this transition.
Apr 18, 2023
Referring to the SAMPL guidelines while conducting your statistical analysis and drafting your manuscript is a good strategy. This article covers everything you need to know about SAMPL guidelines.
Apr 17, 2023
Meet Sudeshna Dasgupta, a PhD in experimental high-energy physics, who started working as a postdoctoral researcher for an experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in CERN, Geneva, and now plays the role of Assistant Managing Editor, Physical Sciences at Editage.
Apr 14, 2023
Which skills do recruiters look for at different stages of academic careers? How should PhD students and senior researchers prepare themselves for the next career stage? What might academic careers look like in the future? Dr. Lilia Mantai, Senior Lecturer at The University of Sydney Business School, answers these and other questions by drawing on her research.
Apr 14, 2023
What is the Oxford comma? When should you use it (should you even use it)? And why does it matter? This post explains it all.
Apr 13, 2023
This blog post explores what Bayesian adaptive designs are, how they work, and why they are becoming increasingly popular in medical and life science research.
Apr 13, 2023
The infographic lists 10 basic yet important safety rules that every researcher needs to adhere to at all times.
Apr 12, 2023
Meet Shivnetra Saha, a PhD in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, who went on to become a scientific editor after being a full-time researcher for a decade!
Apr 7, 2023
As you keep up with the latest findings in your field, this infographic states some ways in which you can identify gaps in existing knowledge, which you can then attempt to address in your own research project.
Apr 7, 2023
In this post, Dr Haidy Effat explains how biostatistics and biostatisticians can enhance the quality of clinical research as well as patient care.
Apr 5, 2023
In this blog post, we will discuss five terms that researchers need to use with caution, to ensure that readers accurately understand their findings and are not misled.
Apr 4, 2023
Have you wondered what could be awaiting you outside of an academic career? Meet Kaivalya Mudholkar, who has a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Freiburg University in Germany. Find out how her journey has been!
Mar 30, 2023
In this video, Monika outlines the most efficient way of entering data by using a well-thought-out sheet.
Mar 29, 2023
In this webinar snippet, Monika explains what a confounding variable is, how and where to communicate that a confounding variable was factored in, and how you adjusted for that.
Mar 29, 2023
In this webinar snippet, Monika talks about the aspects that affect statistics such as sample size, randomization procedure, inclusion and exclusion criteria. She goes on to explain how to use control groups and adjust them for hypothesis driven research.
Mar 29, 2023
Google has announced the Carbon Removal Research Awards to sponsor academic research targeting carbon removal. The deadline for submissions is April 28, 2023.
Mar 28, 2023
This article discusses the benefits of calculating incidences and prevalences, and the best practices for it.
Mar 24, 2023
Editage organized a webinar “Understanding Types of Research Data” targeted at researchers based in Saudi Arabia, on March 15, 2023. The webinar highlighted the importance of valid and reliable data, as well as assessing whether the groups being analyzed are big enough to gain such data.
Mar 23, 2023
While conducting statistical comparisons, it's important to select the right type of analysis, so that your results are reliable and your research is credible. This post lists 5 important considerations when choosing a statistical test to check for differences between groups.
Mar 23, 2023
It’s important to conduct correlation and regression analyses rigorously and report their results appropriately. Here’s a handy infographic on best practices in reporting these analyses.
Mar 21, 2023
How do you know what the cutting-edge topics are in your field of research? This task can appear daunting even to seasoned researchers, so here are 6 ways that will help you.
Mar 21, 2023
This article explores the concept of digital accessibility, discusses why it is important in scholarly publishing, and looks at how publishers are facilitating accessibility.
Mar 21, 2023
Here's a PhD student's journey of being a scholar -- what she enjoys the most, the most challenging aspect, and how can one make the best out of their PhD experience.
Mar 17, 2023
This infographic define “correlation”, “association”, and “regression” and why these can’t be used interchangeably.
Mar 17, 2023
This is a conversation with Dr. Monika Sobocan about the different kinds of variables in biomedical research and how to work with them.
Mar 16, 2023
This video is the last of a 3-part interview series focusing on what researchers need to know about communicating with policymakers. Marta Pulido, PhD (Communications Officer at IDIBAPS), shares thoughts on how you can prepare yourself for collaborations with policymakers and discusses examples of successful collaborations between scientists and policymakers.
Mar 16, 2023
This video is the second of a 3-part interview series focusing on what researchers need to know about communicating with policymakers. Marta Pulido, PhD (Communications Officer at IDIBAPS), shares examples from Latin America to discuss how collaborations between scientists and policymakers can differ across regions, depending on the socio-political and cultural contexts.
Mar 16, 2023
This is Gayatri's story about being the lone researcher in her lab for a major part of her bench work during her ongoing PhD. Despite the initial loneliness, she decided to count her blessings. Read to know how she was pleasantly surprised by the steep learning curve.
Mar 15, 2023
This article explains what is survival analysis, its uses, how to conduct a survival analyses, and some best practices.
Mar 14, 2023
This infographic explains why it is necessary to describe the setting of your study in your manuscript.
Mar 10, 2023
Imagine a young researcher trying to find their footing in the middle of a global pandemic. Read this personal story of Edina Lobo and what she learned while working during pandemic.
Mar 9, 2023
In this short video, Dr Jacob Wickham explains the PICOT (or PECOT) format for research questions. He breaks down the components and explains the significance of Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Timeframe/Setting. You’ll know how clear and concise research questions are formulated using this framework.
Mar 9, 2023
In this video, Dr Jacob Wickham highlights the problem of overemphasizing p-values in statistical analysis. He presents the findings of a study that analyzed 800 articles across five journals, revealing that more than half of the articles mistakenly assumed non-significance. He emphasizes the importance of not solely relying on significance or non-significance alone when interpreting statistical findings.
Mar 9, 2023
In this video, Dr Jacob Wickham outlines the steps for performing statistical procedures, starting with exploring the data through frequency distribution and histograms. He emphasizes the importance of determining whether the data follows a normal distribution to guide the selection of appropriate statistical tests.
Mar 9, 2023
This video features Dr Jacob Wickham explaining the concepts of nominal and ordinal scales of data. In just a few minutes, viewers can gain a better understanding of these fundamental concepts in data analysis.
Mar 9, 2023
In this informative video, Dr. Jacob Wickham provides an introduction to statistics, including its definition and how it is obtained. The video also touches upon the different applications of statistical analysis.
Mar 9, 2023
This video is the first of a 3-part interview series on what researchers need to know about communicating with policymakers. Marta Pulido, PhD (Communications Officer at IDIBAPS), talks about her work collaborating with policymakers, the skills scientists need to communicate effectively with them, and some common perceptions that scientists and policymakers may have about each other.
Mar 8, 2023
We bring to you the top 6 questions asked by researchers like you during a session on the importance of data distribution in statistical analysis and much more along with Dr. Wickham’s responses.
Mar 7, 2023
This infographic will help you to understand four important precautions that biomedical researchers need to take before conducting statistical analysis and hypothesis testing.
Mar 6, 2023
Because meta-analyses can have a substantial impact on the decisions made by clinicians, researchers, policymakers, etc., they need to be conducted carefully and rigorously. In this article, we list some important steps you need to follow while conducting a meta-analysis.
Mar 6, 2023
This is a conversation with Dr. InSu Cho about his journey from being a PhD to becoming a medical science liaison (MSL) in the medical department of a pharmaceutical company.
Mar 3, 2023
Explaining the implications of your research is an essential part of your manuscript. This infographic lists 5 ways in which you can highlight them.
Mar 1, 2023
Most scholars inevitably wonder about the things they wish they knew before enrolling for the journey. These are the 3 top learnings of Saranath Parthasarathy, a PhD candidate in the last stages of preparing his thesis.
Mar 1, 2023
Including figures in a research paper can improve reader comprehension and increase audience interest. Learn how to use them correctly.
Mar 1, 2023
While there’s nothing quite like the thrill of making a groundbreaking discovery or seeing your work have a positive influence on society, there are several small wins that can make a researcher’s day. This infographic states some of them.
Feb 28, 2023
Although p values are commonly used, they need to be reported carefully so that your paper provides strong and useful evidence. This article lists some key points you need to keep in mind.
Feb 27, 2023
This is a conversation with Joris van Rossum (Product Director, STM) about how the hub came into being, what it has been doing so far, and what it hopes to achieve.
Feb 23, 2023
This infographic will help you understand the key differences between systematic and integrated literature reviews.
Feb 22, 2023
This article is a summary of why you should try to engage with policymakers and how you can make a real impact.
Feb 22, 2023
In statistics, “power” refers to the ability of your study to identify effects of substantial interest. Read on to find out how and when you may calculate statistical power.
Feb 17, 2023
Understand the impact of a science color palette on your scientific research, how to properly choose your palette colors to ensure color accessibility.
Feb 17, 2023
February 28, 2023, 10:00 AM - February 28, 2023, 11:00 AM UTC 
These are the key highlights of the report that The Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and The International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers (STM) have collaborated to compile their findings on the current state of OA in China and its prospects.
Feb 16, 2023
This infographic lists 5 reasons why research ethics are important.
Feb 15, 2023
This infographic lists 5 simple steps that you can follow before starting your next scientific writing project.
Feb 14, 2023
This is a conversation with Dr. Asli Telli is Associate Professor and a Research Associate through a remote fellowship at WISER, Witwatersrand University, South Africa, about her thoughts on mentoring.
Feb 13, 2023
In this infographic, we have put together 15 positive affirmations that can help you break the chain of negative thoughts and minimize self-doubt.
Feb 13, 2023
This is a list of 5 interesting articles that explore human responses to specific stimuli and how these reactions can impact us both physically and mentally.
Feb 13, 2023
In a previous article, Dr. Mindy Levine shared excellent guidelines on what reviewers look for in a grant proposal. This article expands on those tips and will guide researchers looking to increase their odds of having a grant successfully funded.
Feb 10, 2023
This infographic lists 5 reasons you shouldn’t use ChatGPT to write your thesis/manuscript.
Feb 9, 2023
There are several myths and misconceptions around mentors and mentoring. This infographic busts 6 common myths around mentoring.
Feb 9, 2023
This infographics gives you some tips to consider when crowdfunding your researh project.
Feb 8, 2023
This is an interesting take on mentors and mentees by Dr. Asli Telli is Associate Professor and a Research Associate through a remote fellowship at WISER, Witwatersrand University, South Africa.
Feb 7, 2023
In conversation with Christopher Leonard, Director of Strategy & Innovation at Cactus Communications, about his views on how ChatGPT may find use in research and academic publishing and the broad implications its use may have.
Feb 2, 2023
Communicating with a journal can be challenging, especially for newer researchers. This post covers the three aspects you need to consider.
Feb 1, 2023
This article takes a closer look at the multifarious skills researchers need to be successful and how institution leaders can cultivate an environment that allows the acquisition of these diverse skills and the ability to apply them to everyday life.
Jan 31, 2023
This is an interview with Shingo Ebata, a Ph.D. in cosmochemistry from Hokkaido University, about his journey from being an assistant professor to becoming a Senior Aide to the President and Vice President (Provost) in Strategic Management Office at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Jan 31, 2023
This post suggests some ways journals can adopt to attract high-quality submissions.
Jan 31, 2023
ChatGPT, an AI chatbot released by tech company OpenAI is making immense foray in academia. The authorship of research papers and preprints are being credited to the chatbot, sparking reactions from researchers, publishers, and journal editors. Here's a post answering the question if ChatGPT can be the co-author of your research paper.
Jan 30, 2023
Several technical terms in the field of chemistry may be misused or confused with other similar terms. Here are some common errors of this type that researchers often make.
Jan 27, 2023
This post lists five movies that portray applications of real-world science, allowing us to explore and marvel at the possibilities that science can offer.
Jan 25, 2023
In this post, our senior editor has answered some of the most pressing questions about ChatGPT.
Jan 25, 2023
With the rapid expansion of knowledge, science needs to become increasingly collaborative. This article talks about some ways by which collaboration benefits research and researchers.
Jan 23, 2023
When a student comes from an underrepresented background, such feelings can be intensified by a real or perceived sense of not belonging in their situation. This post talks about how you may support them.
Jan 20, 2023
Research visibility is an important aspect of research, learn techniques to increase the relevance of your work.
Jan 20, 2023
Here are some truly simple tips that might help you to obtain and analyze your spectra effectively.
Jan 18, 2023
This infographic tells you how, being a busy researcher, you may take care of your physical, mental, and spiritual well being.
Jan 17, 2023
Did you know that only eight women have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry ever since it was first awarded in 1901? The first woman laureate was Marie Curie in 1911. Of these eight Nobel laureates, five received their awards since 2000, and three within the last three years. This post is a glimpse of their incredible achievements.
Jan 16, 2023
This post lists some noteworthy chemistry-focused humor sites that deserve a place in your bookmark list.
Jan 13, 2023
This article highlights how success is to be measured in academia, which lacks the convenience of a balance sheet that can clearly reveal the success or failure of a business.
Jan 11, 2023
In this infographic, we have listed how you may write the rationale of your research
Jan 6, 2023
A question that we often get asked is how to review related literature. This post discusses what an RRL is, why it's important, and some best practices to write an effective literature review.
Jan 6, 2023
As 2022 draws to a close, it’s time to get a flavor of the main developments influencing scholarly writing and publishing this year.
Jan 3, 2023
This post talks about what are keywords, their importance in any academic writing, and how to choose suitable keywords for your manuscript or scholarly article.
Dec 23, 2022
In this post, we have listed some writing resources that will help any research chemist, and indeed, many other scientists.
Dec 21, 2022
We had invited researchers around the world to ask questions related to research communication and challenges that they face while presenting data visually. Fabricio Pamplona, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Mind the Graph, has answered as many questions as he could.
Dec 19, 2022
Experts at Mind the Graph, a free online platform that allows you to create beautiful infographics in a few simple steps, have curated this downloadable handbook to help you understand the concept and organization of artwork in the best possible way.
Dec 16, 2022
Creating scientific figures is a simple and effective way to boost the value of your research. Check out this article to learn how to make a good one.
Dec 14, 2022
Shinichiro Takezawa completed his PhD from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo and went on to establish several companies. Learn more about his journey toward entrepreneurship.
Dec 13, 2022
On December 5, a group of 17 University of California (UC) academic workers held a sit-in at the UC president’s office in Sacramento. After a few hours, they were arrested by police officers and cited for trespassing. This post is a summary of the events.
Dec 8, 2022
We published 243 content pieces on Editage Insights this year, and this post has some of the most interesting and well-received ones.
Dec 8, 2022
It is critical that individuals in the scientific or academic fields understand the distinction between a graphical abstract and an infographic, as they do not serve the same purposes and cannot be employed in the same context. This article explains the difference and help you decide which one you need for your research paper.
Dec 6, 2022
Visual elements play a vital role in your research. They enable you to present complex data in a simplified manner that further allows readers to engage with your research. Powerful and comprehensible visuals also help you gain more visibility among funders and institutions, and gain more citations. Here’s a downloadable visual guide by Mind the Graph, a free online platform that allows you to create beautiful infographics in a few simple steps. Download it now!
Nov 30, 2022
November 10 marks the 21st World Science Day for Peace and Development. Here, we discuss the theme of this year’s World Science Day and why it is significant.
Nov 28, 2022
The 2022 Lancet Countdown report, themed “health at the mercy of fossil fuels,” was issued on October 23, 2022. The report is the result of a collaboration of 99 experts from 51 institutions and UN agencies, including the World Health Organization. Here is its summary.
Nov 24, 2022
December 19, 2022, 14:00 PM - December 19, 2022, 15:00 PM UTC 
The reality is that while earning a PhD degree, a researcher gains core skills that are fundamental to success in diverse careers. That is why, these are recognized as transferable skills by employers. Let us take a close look at some of these transferrable skills.
Nov 21, 2022
What role does mentorship play in an academic career? What can mentors and mentees do to build a strong mentoring relationship?This post is a compilation of views on these subjects, shared by three individuals from the scholarly community.
Nov 17, 2022
Nine years back a small team of three started a project to help researchers around the globe achieve their goals. Today, that project has evolved into a phenomenal communal platform trusted by researchers worldwide. Let's take a trip down the memory lane and see Editage Insights' journey of 9 years.
Nov 14, 2022
Struggling to achieve your writing goals? Guilty of procastinating? This article has some ways to deal with the feelings that might be keeping you from achieving your writing goals.
Nov 10, 2022
With the International Open Access Week over, we are here with a list of open access-related terms that will help you understand some of the basic terms and understand this publishing model better.
Nov 10, 2022
Up to 52 papers published by Gregg L. Semenza, one of the 2019 laureates for Physiology or Medicine, have been scrutinized for potential image manipulation. This article elaborates the case and talks about the implications going forward.
Nov 8, 2022
Beginning next year, the journal eLife will change its publishing model. No longer will decisions to reject or accept papers be made following the peer review process. Read more about the new process and why it's important.
Oct 31, 2022
The results of the CACTUS Mental Health Survey indicated that 37% of more than 13,000 worldwide respondents reported experiencing harassment or bullying in their academic workplace. This post talks about how you may, as a colleague, help someone experiencing bullying.
Oct 31, 2022
As part of our International Open Access Week 2022 celebrations, we want to bring you varied perspectives from researchers, publishers, and other stakeholders in academic publishing. In this interview, Natalia Reinic Babic, Head of Journal Publishing and Open Science, IntechOpen, shares her perspectives on open access and open science.
Oct 28, 2022
In this video, Mriganka Awati, senior writer, CACTUS, is in conversation with two industry experts from Brill—a leading international academic publisher. She asks Stephanie Veldman (Head of Open Research, Brill) and Dominique De Roo (Vice President, Global Marketing, Brill) about the benefits researchers can experience when they publish their work open access, the challenge of covering article-processing charges, the role of open access books, and geographical differences in the adoption of open access publishing models. Moreover, since this year’s theme is Open for Climate Justice, they also discuss how open access publishing can accelerate climate action.
Oct 28, 2022
Rachel Martin is the Global Director of Sustainability at Elsevier, where she is driving transformational change in the priority areas of sustainability with a focus on climate action. In this interview with Mriganka Awati, senior writer, CACTUS, she talks about the barriers to climate justice and the importance of developing a sustainability mindset when developing strategies that facilitate climate action. While she discusses the role of open access and, more broadly, the open science movement in increasing the reach of climate research, she also emphasizes adopting a more holistic approach.
Oct 28, 2022
In this interview, Mriganka Awati, a senior writer at CACTUS, asks some relevant questions to two climate researchers—Travis Tai and James Robinson—who are passionate about their work and have stressed on the importance of making climate research openly accessible.
Oct 28, 2022
With the US government being one of the world’s biggest funders of research, the new OSTP policy has sparked widespread reactions globally. During the International Open Access Week, we reached out to stakeholders in the research ecosystem for their views on how the new policy could affect academia. Read the post to know what they had to say.
Oct 27, 2022
Experts and KOLs from the scholarly publishing industry are voicing their opinions on climate research being open accessible to all. To explore how openness in science can drive climate justice, we share some insights by industry experts at IntechOpen, a leading publisher of open access books.
Oct 26, 2022
Dr Vrushali Dandawate, Librarian AISSMS College of Engineering, DOAJ Ambassador India, shares tips on how to find funding sources to cover APCs while publishing in open access journals.
Oct 25, 2022
October 28, 2022, 14:00 PM - October 28, 2022, 15:00 PM UTC 
It was a joy to see the researcher community excitedly exchanging their thoughts and views on the theme of Peer Review Week 2022. A few researchers went out of their way to share their thoughts on research integrity and peer review with us through short video clips. It’s great to see how passionate they are about upholding integrity in research and peer review!
Oct 17, 2022
The 9th International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication was held in Chicago, IL from September 8-10, 2022, and was attended by key stakeholders in scholarly publishing. Watch this video for some highlights of their conversations from the 9th Peer Review Congress as they discuss what ethical research means to them and the role of peer review in upholding research integrity.
Sep 28, 2022
Get ready to be a part of this year's Open Access Week (24-30 October, 2022) for an invaluable opportunity for researchers, journals, societies, and publishers to connect with each other and deepen their understanding of policies about and best practices around open access publishing.
Sep 28, 2022
The final event of the Peer Review Week 2022 celebrations (Sep 19-23), powered by Editage and Researcher.Life, was a panel discussion titled “Discussing research integrity with the pillars of academia – the researcher, the reviewer, and the editor.” This article has covered some of the main topics discussed.
Sep 28, 2022
October 13, 2022, 13:00 PM - October 13, 2022, 14:00 PM UTC 
Over the years, authors have approached us when faced with problems or tricky situations relating to different aspects of peer review. In this downloadable handbook, we have handpicked 21 frequently asked questions about peer review.
Sep 26, 2022
This downloadable handbook covers all the essential points you need for responding to peer review comments, framing an effective resubmission cover letter, and a few examples of tricky comments.
Sep 26, 2022
Peer reviewers shoulder the responsibility of pulishing valid, authentic, and high quality science. Doing it for the first time can be daunting. This downloadable handbook has useful tips to get you through all phases of reviewing a manuscript for the first time.
Sep 26, 2022
This downloadable handbook will offer you some help by discussing your responsibilities as a reviewer toward journal editors, authors of the manuscript, readers of the journal.
Sep 26, 2022
Download this handbook to get useful tips that will help you in ensuring that your peer reviews are helpful and fair.
Sep 26, 2022
Download this handbook to learn 7 ways to make your peer reviewer happy.
Sep 26, 2022
As we celebrate Peer Review Week 2022, we ask experts to reflect on how celebrating Peer Review Week has created an impact in scholarly communications or academia.
Sep 23, 2022
In this interview, Dr. Lee shares her perspectives on the current status of peer review in Korea and suggestions to improve research integrity.
Sep 22, 2022
On Day 2 (Sep 21) of the Peer Review Week 2022 celebrations (Sep 19-23), powered by Editage and Researcher.Life, we hosted a panel discussion to understand the personal, emotional, and human side of navigating the peer review process. This post shares some of the highlights of the session.
Sep 22, 2022
The academic community is actively trying out new models, signaling hope and change in the way peer review is conducted. This article lists some of the initiatives and new trends in peer review.
Sep 21, 2022
We kicked off the Peer Review Week 2022 celebrations (Sep 19-23), powered by Editage and Researcher.Life, with an exciting panel discussion: “Perspectives from the academic trio: A deep dive into research integrity issues and challenges faced by authors, editors, and reviewers” on Sep 19. In case you missed it, this post will cover some of the highlights of the session.
Sep 21, 2022
Inappropriate image manipulation has become increasingly prevalent in research publishing. This article talks about peer reviewers' role in flagging unethical elements in research, tips to develop the proficiency to identify manipulated images, and how to escalate the issue to the journal.
Sep 20, 2022
Despite the lack of pay and sometimes-thankless nature of the work, peer reviewers are vital to the process of academic publication. This article talks about the new developments in unethical practices and shares a checklist for reviewers to maintain and ensure integrity in their work.
Sep 19, 2022
Have you ever met a research integrity specialist? In this episode of the All Things SciComm podcast, Jigisha Patel, an independent research integrity consultant and former journal editor, talks about common challenges related to research integrity, how peer review is important for maintaining research integrity, and what journals, publishers, and other stakeholders can do to publish robust and credible research.
Sep 19, 2022
Researchers’ struggle with academic writing is a well-recognized problem in academia and research shows that lack of time and stress or anxiety are the root cause of the problem. Over the past few years, writing groups have seen a surge in academia. Read more to find out why more researchers are joining writing groups and how do writing groups support the academic writing process for researchers.
Sep 16, 2022
The 9th International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication (Peer Review Congress) began and ended on a thought-provoking note. The article covers some highlights and notes.
Sep 13, 2022
September 23, 2022, 10:30 AM - September 23, 2022, 11:30 AM UTC 
September 22, 2022, 07:00 AM - September 22, 2022, 08:00 AM UTC 
September 21, 2022, 13:00 PM - September 21, 2022, 14:00 PM UTC 
On August 25, 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) of the US released a memorandum titled “Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research.” This article highlights the key points of this memorandum.
Sep 9, 2022
September 19, 2022, 13:00 PM - September 19, 2022, 14:00 PM UTC 
September 19, 2022, 03:00 AM - September 19, 2022, 04:00 AM UTC 
Writing to a journal can be stressful for authors. This article gives some useful tips for you to communicate with your journal effectively.
Sep 6, 2022
When a research paper is written in overcomplicated language, it could attract negative comments from reviewers or journal editors because the research is unclear. Here are some tips to make your writing clear and easy to follow, without compromising on the use of technical terms.
Sep 1, 2022
If you choose to pursue a PhD, carefully reflect on your interests, skills, and long-term expectations. Here are some points that you can keep in mind when making this decision.
Aug 31, 2022
Few academics realize how much of their time is claimed by writing and yet, they would rather do anything else other than write. If that sounds like you, here are some proven tips on how to tackle the task of writing.
Aug 30, 2022
The Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment offers a path towards changing the current narrow criteria used to assess research, researchers, and research organizations. The Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, the final version of which was announced on 20 July 2022, is being viewed as a promising step towards meaningful change. Read this article to know more.
Aug 26, 2022
Bullying is something that everybody understands is bad, but it remains rife in many fields, including in medicine, the military, and primary or secondary education. This article explores the various forms and places bullying can take place in within the academic space, and how it can be tackled.
Aug 25, 2022
Read Jeong-In Yun's journey from being a PhD in biopharmaceuticals to working for a drug-synthesizing company as an organic synthesis researcher before finally starting a company of her own.
Aug 18, 2022
Shut Up & Write is a unique online co-working session where a small group of researchers come together on a fixed day of the week for an hour of focused writing. Read on to know more.
Aug 12, 2022
It is no secret that academia has a dark, expansive history of bullying. Over the past few years, a growing body of evidence has suggested an alarming rate of bullying in academia and academic institutions. In order to address this issue, Cactus Communications launched THINK Academia – a global initiative against bullying in academia. THINK is an acronym that stands for what we believe an ideal academia should be – Thoughtful, Humane, Inclusive, Nurturing, and Kind.
Aug 8, 2022
On July 21, 2022, the prominent blog Retraction Watch and esteemed American journal Science published articles on the newly uncovered evidence of potential academic misconduct in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. The article is an overview of the controversy and what it means for the field.
Aug 5, 2022
While the proper use of statistics can be confusing, it should not be scary. This article provides some simple suggestions to help you be more thoughtful and accurate in analyzing and reporting your study results, even if statistics isn’t one of your strengths.
Aug 4, 2022
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are now being widely explored to ease several publishing-related aspects. Academic writing is one of them. In this post, Charlotte Baptista, an expert on language automation, shares her experience-based views on what an AI tool for academic writing should be able to achieve for it to be truly beneficial to researchers.
Jul 29, 2022
Here's Gayatri Ramachandran's personal account of the challenges faced while communicating her struggles of PhD life to her family and misconceptions about life during PhD.
Jul 29, 2022
The 7th World Conference on Research Integrity, held in May–June 2022 in Cape Town, focused on issues surrounding ethics in collaboration between researchers in the Global North and South. In this article, the focus has been on the current challenges to equity in scientific publication for researchers in Africa, in particular. Read the article for insights.
Jul 22, 2022
November 4, 2022, 09:30 AM - November 4, 2022, 10:30 AM UTC 
July 19, 2022, 10:00 AM - July 19, 2022, 11:00 AM UTC 
Adhering to the guidelines prescribed by an exhaustive manual such as the American Psychological Association Manual (APA) of Style can be daunting. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you cover some of the most basic instructions.
Jul 14, 2022
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has greatly affected research and researchers in both countries. This post summarizes the challenges and precipitating factors as well as some key measures taken to address some of the problems.
Jul 14, 2022
On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which had protected a woman’s right to have an abortion, and allowed individual states to impose their own laws. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has serious implications for women’s health, maternal mortality, infant mortality, poverty, and socioeconomic equality in the US. Read more.
Jul 11, 2022
Every year, the Peer Review Week (PRW) revolves around a theme that focuses on a specific aspect of the peer review process. This year, the PRW committee invited the global academic and scholarly publishing community to vote on the theme. Check out the theme of the event in this post. Peer Review Week 2022 will be held virtually from September 19-23.
Jul 8, 2022
Here are the key highlights of the 2022 Journal Citation Reports released by Clarivate.
Jul 7, 2022
As the most widely distributed monkeypox outbreak to date, researchers and clinicians are looking at the smallpox vaccine as a vital tool to contain monkeypox outbreaks. Here, I summarize some key information on using a smallpox vaccine to contain and overcome the 2022 global monkeypox outbreak, along with challenges faced.
Jun 24, 2022
The scholarly community has been taking many steps toward understanding and addressing the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, both within and outside academia. Here's a list of some key events and activities taking place in 2022 that revolve around issues related to LGBTQ+ health, well-being, and inclusion.
Jun 23, 2022
The 44th annual meeting of the Society for Scholarly Publishing concluded on June 3, 2022, in Chicago, USA. This article talks about some of the key topics the event covered.
Jun 21, 2022
June 30, 2022, 10:00 AM - June 30, 2022, 11:00 AM UTC 
Images that researchers include in their papers need to meet the presentation quality requred for publication. But in manipulating their images to make them presentable, they may introduce inappropriate or unethical changes. Read this post to understand the line between acceptable and unacceptable revisions to images.
Jun 15, 2022
If you’ve missed important updates from the scholarly publishing industry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 4 industry updates for this week.
Jun 14, 2022
The discovery of microscopic plastic fragments within sediments, water bodies, and even within human and animal organs has attracted much attention in non-scientific outlets and social media, but realistic ways of dealing with existing plastic pollution have been lacking. A recent study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials offers a promising outlook for the detection and elimination of this pollution.
Jun 14, 2022
The 7th World Conference on Research Integrity (WCRI) was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from May 29 to June 1, 2022. This year’s theme was “Fostering Research Integrity in an Unequal World.” Here’s a brief overview of some key discussion points.
Jun 9, 2022
If you’ve missed important updates from the scholarly publishing industry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 4 industry updates for this week.
Jun 7, 2022
With the world connected better through technology, international collaborations have been the norm. However, lately, collaborations between some nations have been suffering. Here’s an overview of what’s been happening.
Jun 3, 2022
Plan S, an open access publishing initiative, was launched in 2018 and is a major step toward making research readily freely and readily available to everyone. Here's a timeline of all developments related to Plan S, from conception to implementation and beyond.
Jun 3, 2022
Recent outbreaks of avian influenza threaten bird species, and bird populations remain possible reservoirs of potentially zoonotic strains. Worryingly, new outbreaks of these strains are being reported over the world in recent years.
Jun 3, 2022
As a busy researcher, if you’ve missed important updates from the scholarly publishing industry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 4 industry updates for this week.
Jun 3, 2022
November 29, 2023, 14:00 PM - November 29, 2023, 15:00 PM UTC 
The Mexican scientific community stands divided on a recently proposed bill drafted by the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt). With a decision on the policy draft expected this month, all eyes are on whether the polarizing bill will be introduced into law unilaterally.
May 30, 2022
To improve research outputs, scientists often need to collaborate with different organizations, laboratories, and industries. This article talks about the five common types of research collaboration, challenges faced, and approaches tto overcome those challenges.
May 26, 2022
As a busy researcher, if you’ve missed important updates from the scholarly publishing industry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 5 industry updates for this week.
May 23, 2022
Read this article to learn the ABCs of science communication. The article covers everything you need to understand how science communication works and what you need to do regardless of your scientific field of expertise.
May 20, 2022
This article will provide some guidance on what is a research question, how it's different from hypothesis, how to write a research question, and what are some common mistakes when formulating a research question.
May 20, 2022
Last week, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration team revealed an image of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. It has been named Sagittarius A* or Sgr A*.
May 19, 2022
May 27, 2022, 11:00 AM - May 27, 2022, 12:00 PM UTC 
As a busy researcher, if you’ve missed important updates from the scholarly publishing industry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 5 industry updates for this week.
May 13, 2022
One research group from the School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA – decided to analyze the use of these reports within and outside the academic sphere. They published their analysis of the use of US National Academies consensus study reports released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). For their study, they collated the responses of 1.6 million US users who downloaded these reports.
May 13, 2022
The Joint Commitment for Action on Inclusion and Diversity in Publishing, led by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), recently published a new set of guidelines for the collection of author demographic data. The collective of 52 global publishers, representing more than 15,000 peer-reviewed academic journals, agreed to standardize questions used to collect data that highlights action required to overcome biases in scholarly publishing.
May 6, 2022
May 26, 2022, 13:00 PM - May 26, 2022, 14:00 PM UTC 
Acquiring a grant is a difficult feat, but once you have achieved this, utilizing the grant money well can be a challenging task too. Here are five tips to help you understand how to use your research funds responsibly and effectively.
May 5, 2022
In a recent study published in Nature, researchers caution that over the next 50 years, climate and land use change will lead to new encounters between mammals, increasing the risk of viruses jumping between species. According to the authors of the study, it could result in over 15,000 new cases of virus transmission among mammals.
May 5, 2022
As a busy researcher, if you’ve missed important updates from the scholarly publishing industry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 5 industry updates for this week.
May 4, 2022
Twenty-seven years ago, German researchers discovered the fossil of a 120-million-year-old dinosaur in northern Brazil. In December 2020, a group of scientists confirmed with their publication in Cretaceous Research that the fossil is that of the earliest feathered dinosaur (named Ubirajara jubatus) in the Southern Hemisphere who was not related to birds. The discovery, instead of creating excitement, sparked a controversy which has now become a hot potato in the scientific community.
Apr 29, 2022
What should you include or not include in the conclusion of a research paper? How is it different from a paper summary or abstract? Read on to find out how to write the conclusion section of your paper.
Apr 28, 2022
Being a busy researcher, if you’ve missed important updates from the academic publishing industry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 5 industry updates for this week.
Apr 22, 2022
Given the pressure on researchers to publish and that too in a foreign language, many non–English-speaking researchers may write the paper in their first language and then use a software program to translate it into English. But it's far from easy. It generates weird phrases called "tortured phrases".
Apr 21, 2022
According to a new study, climate change over two million years, affected by Earth’s movement and other planetary conditions, could have played a crucial role in carving out the route early humans took to migrate.
Apr 21, 2022
On 21 March, 2022, the Chinese government has issued a stricter set of ethical guidelines2 for research in human and animal genetics. What will be the major changes and what it means for international collaborations? Read on to find out.
Apr 19, 2022
Some species of small spiders such as arachnids and erigone have the ability called ballooning1 that allows them to fly and even control the direction they move in. They weave silk threads that remain attached to their bodies and use them to travel fairly long distances. What does this mean for atmospheric science? Read to know more!
Apr 14, 2022
Research question is the foundation of any research paper and it ought to be good. Lindsay, a doctorate in Medical microbiology and infectious disease is here with her top tips on how to find and frame a good research question. Watch this video to know what those four tips are!
Apr 14, 2022
Many authors face rejection solely based on the mismatch between their type of manuscript and the ones the target journal publishes. Here is a video by Editage that lists major journals who publish case reports.
Apr 14, 2022
Do you want to publish your article in SSCI indexed journals but not sure how to achieve this dream? We’ll help you! Watch this video to know more.
Apr 14, 2022
Editage brings to you one of its seasoned neuroscience editors, Nia, who talks about some of the best practices for a flawless literature review. Watch this video to know more!
Apr 14, 2022
As it is commonly said that “first impression is the last impression”, it happens to stand true for research paper titles as well. Watch this video to understand the importance of a good introduction, its impact on the reader, and how to write a good introduction using some of the best techniques.
Apr 14, 2022
In this video, Editage brings to you the best tips on creating high-quality academic posters so that you may share your research using the best visuals.
Apr 8, 2022
Nia, a highly experienced neuroscience editor at Editage, talks about the most effective tips for sharing your research on social media using two of the most popular social media platforms for researchers – Twitter and LinkedIn.
Apr 8, 2022
Editage brings you in touch with a senior and highly experienced neuroscience editor, Nia, who guides you through your journey after rejection.
Apr 8, 2022
In this video by Editage, a highly experienced and senior neuroscience editor shares tried and tested tips for creating the perfect title for your research paper.
Apr 8, 2022
One of Editage’s senior experts is here with some proven tips on how to avoid, reduce and overcome plagiarism in a research paper.
Apr 8, 2022
Adhering to the guidelines prescribed by an exhaustive manual such as the American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style can be daunting. Here's a cheat sheet to help you cover some of the most basic instructions.
Apr 8, 2022
November 2, 2023, 14:00 PM - November 2, 2023, 14:30 PM UTC In 2018, the last male northern white rhino, Sudan, bid adieu to the world leaving behind just two females too old to take forward the species. The scientists at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are on their journey to resurrect the rhinos.
Apr 1, 2022
A survey report published by University and College Union (UCU) this month revealed the poor working conditions and the dipping employee-satisfaction level in one of UK’s most thriving sectors—higher education.
Apr 1, 2022
September 29, 2023, 13:00 PM - September 29, 2023, 14:00 PM UTC 
July 18, 2023, 13:00 PM - July 18, 2023, 14:00 PM UTC 
The representative body of the UK’s academic institutions, Jisc, has confirmed a three-year open access deal with Elsevier, a leading global publisher. Read to know more.
Mar 25, 2022
A well-framed research hypothesis helps identify the most appropriate experimental design to adopt and the exact nature of data to collect so that it can be tested effectively. Read this article to understand how to frame a good research hypothesis.
Mar 25, 2022
By the end of the six Apollo missions that took place from 1969-72, astronauts brought back a total of 842 pounds of rocks and dust from the moon. Of the 2,200 samples, NASA scientists started studying all but two samples, which were left untouched and unopened. Now, after more than five decades of preservation, they’ve opened them!
Mar 24, 2022
Amidst a rapid and global “decoupling” from Russia, the scientific community appears divided over a full-blown academic boycott prohibiting Russian authors from publishing in international journals.
Mar 18, 2022
A group of scientists investigated how ants can locate their anthills after travelling long distances in search of food. Using path integration, ants can locate a point just by knowing the distance travelled and the direction taken. But how does a tiny insect’s mind identify the right direction and measure the distance? Read to find out.
Mar 17, 2022
March 23, 2022, 09:00 AM - March 23, 2022, 10:00 AM UTC 
March 30, 2022, 09:00 AM - March 30, 2022, 10:00 AM UTC 
A team of researchers recently published a study1 that classifies 7,414 vocal expressions from 400 pigs, using AI, into positive and negative emotions. It gives the world an opportunity to enter the world of oinks and squeals, and understand the psychological behavior of pigs. This can help farmers monitor the mental health of animals by tracking their behavior.
Mar 10, 2022
Being an independent researcher may have different implications based on your current career phase. While funding is often the first thing that comes to mind when we hear this term, there’s certainly more to what it means to be an independent researcher.
Mar 10, 2022
In early 2020, Nature announced an opportunity for authors to publish their peer-review exchanges with reviewers as an attempt to bring transparency to the peer review process, and nearly half of the authors who published in Nature last year opted for this option.
Mar 8, 2022
The leaky pipeline is often cited as an obstacle to gender equity in STEM fields, with various reasons attributed to why women leave STEM. On International Women's Day 2022, we reach out to a few women for views on what has helped them stay on.
Mar 8, 2022
March 16, 2022, 00:00 AM - March 16, 2022, 01:00 AM UTC 
OP Publishing has withdrawn 350 papers from two 2021 conference proceedings as evidence of systematic manipulation and considerable citation manipulation were observed during an investigation. The manipulation was detected using the tool Problematic Paper Screener.
Mar 3, 2022
Dr. Jacob Wikham, an ecologist and journal editor, talks about his career as a field biologist and what has kept him going. Read on to know more about his life and experiences in the field.
Mar 2, 2022
An analysis of more than 37,000 articles reveals that authors from low-income countries opt to publish in paywalled journals over open access journals. Rafael Zenni, ecologist, Federal University of Lavras, Brazil told the Nature news team, “When we see results like this, it just makes it crystal clear that there is a very strong financial barrier for publishing when journals charge APCs."
Feb 25, 2022
December 20, 2023, 14:00 PM - December 20, 2023, 15:00 PM UTC 
Hedging is common in academic writing. But is it appropriate? And, if yes, how much should you hedge? This post explains it all.
Feb 24, 2022
February 25, 2022, 10:00 AM - February 25, 2022, 11:00 AM UTC 
The US State Department announced its withdrawal of the Fulbright Scholarship program from Afghanistan last month for the academic year 2022-23. It stated “significant barriers impeding our ability to provide a safe exchange experience to future participants” as the primary reason for the decision. The decision has left around 140 semi-finalist students stranded after waiting for a long time.
Feb 18, 2022
March 16, 2022, 14:00 PM - March 16, 2022, 15:00 PM UTC 
Opportunities for AI in publishing are expanding rapidly. AI provides exciting opportunities for designing intelligent products and devising novel service offerings. Aided by an array of AI solutions, authors, editors, and publishers can perform their tasks with increased efficiency.
Feb 18, 2022
Just over a year ago, the UK government and the European (EU)Commission finalized a long-awaited trade dealthat crystalized UK’s status in EU Commission’s funding programs post Brexit. However, the deal hasn’t been officially set in motion yet given the ongoing political negotiations around the Northern Ireland protocol.
Feb 11, 2022
The UK government is increasing domestic public investment by at least 40% across the North, Midlands, South West, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a part of their "levelling up" plan. Innovation, increase in productivity, and strengthening the country’s science base are the ultimate goals.
Feb 4, 2022
Like every graduating PhD student, even I had a dream of going abroad for my postdoctoral research. This is my story about how this dream got realized and how I ended up becoming a melting pot of different cultures that helped me in my career and personal life.
Feb 4, 2022
Some Chinese universities, like the China Pharmaceutical University, are transitioning from onboarding professors based on their publication metrics to now hiring them basis their past teaching experience.
Jan 31, 2022
Experts from diverse professional backgrounds at CACTUS share their insights into what will help researchers make 2022 a productive and successful year.
Jan 31, 2022
Mentorship in academia is as much about guiding students and early career researchers on their academic work as well as helping them find their long-term career paths. Madhura Panse shares her experiences in academia as both a mentee and a mentor.
Jan 20, 2022
Academic freedom is a complex concept encompassing both rights and duties of researchers, teachers, students, and research/educational institutions. To appreciate and uphold this principle, it is essential to be aware of what it truly means and its real-life implications.
Dec 29, 2021
Students and early career researchers often need writing support the most but may find editorial services out of their reach. Editage has launched a new AI + Academic Editing Service that offers high-quality manuscript editing at an affordable cost.
Dec 23, 2021
How you address your peer review comments may influence the editors’ decision of whether to accept or reject your manuscript. Thus, it’s important to address peer review comments effectively and carefully. This handbook is your go-to guide if you want to learn how to respond to peer review comments in the best possible way.
Dec 22, 2021
This video is an excerpt from two webinars in which publication experts share their experiences of coming across comments, as authors, that were vague and generic, and how their experiences as authors shaped the way they conduct peer reviews themselves. They’ve also described some of their best peer review practices, and how they adopted an empathy-based approach toward peer reviewing.
Dec 17, 2021
An account of how a microbiology graduate who is pursuing a PhD in science communication became interested in disseminating research to broad audiences
Dec 15, 2021
On December 1, Dutch microbiologist Elizabeth Bik was announced as the winner of the prestigious John Maddox prize for her “outstanding work exposing widespread threats to research integrity in scientific papers.”
Dec 3, 2021
Acknowledgments are probably the easiest section to write in a research paper, but can often be tricky! This article discusses the purpose of the acknowledgements section in a research paper and offers tips on who should be mentioned in it and how, who should be excluded, and how the section should be formatted.
Dec 2, 2021
It is only natural to feel anxiety or, sometimes, a sense of foreboding when you receive a journal editor’s decision letter with reviewer comments attached. Is there a way to get through this experience with minimal dread, resentment, or stress? Yes, according to Erin Owens. Find out how in this video.
Dec 2, 2021
A well-conducted peer review ensures that only rigorously conducted and high-quality research is published and that authors are encouraged to meet the required standards of academic publishing. Many researchers, especially those in the early stages of their careers, do not receive adequate training on conducting peer reviews. This handbook is a great starting point for them to understand how to go about it effectively.
Dec 2, 2021
Academic research is an exciting but challenging profession, and researchers often struggle to manage their work and personal life responsibilities. Find out how a researcher came up with a strategy to do this with minimal stress.
Nov 23, 2021
This article discusses findings from a recent survey on how COVID-19 has affected the lives of PhD supervisors.
Nov 23, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees, with the accompanying deluge of disinformation only making matters worse. However, a report by Nature revealed that when doctors, epidemiologists and scientists spoke up on how to manage and contain the pandemic, many were trolled and abused online, receiving unacceptable threats of violence.
Nov 21, 2021
Hijacked journals have come back into focus recently, and they can cause more damage than predatory journals to the scholarly record. Learn what they are and how to identify them.
Nov 17, 2021
In Part 2 of this series, they open up about what living with mental illness is like and how this affects their personal and work lives. As you listen to their day-to-day experiences and struggles, you’ll start to see that mental illness, its symptoms and effects might not always be visible.
Nov 16, 2021
In Part 2 of this series, they open up about what living with mental illness is like and how this affects their personal and work lives. As you listen to their day-to-day experiences and struggles, you’ll start to see that mental illness, its symptoms and effects might not always be visible.
Nov 16, 2021
Here's a list of podcasts that will help you understand how to practice self-care and take steps toward achieving mental well-being.
Nov 9, 2021
Yateendra Joshi recommends a list of interesting and practical resources on academic writing for researchers.
Nov 9, 2021
November 11, 2021, 14:00 PM - November 11, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
The list of Nobel Prize winners for the year was awarded to researchers who had made some fundamental advances, but many in the scientific community were surprised to see that Covid-19 vaccine pioneers, whose work helped millions during the global pandemic, had been left out. Read on for more.
Oct 29, 2021
This International Open Access Week, we bring you an R Discovery-powered Ask Me Anything (AMA) on open access! We invited a panel of industry experts to answer questions on open access that members of the research community shared with us.
Oct 28, 2021
We normally focus on the challenges a peer reviewer has to face, such as a lack of recognition and high demands on time. However, being a peer reviewer also comes with many benefits, and this handbook outlines how YOU can build your identity as a peer reviewer and leverage peer review to your benefit.
Oct 27, 2021
In Part 1 of “Some days are better than others” a bunch of brave academics share their experiences with mental illness as they respond to the question – How would you describe your mental health journey?
Oct 19, 2021
Peer Review Week 2021 was an activity-packed event for the Editage Insights team. We review all that was done, learnt, and shared during and after the event.
Oct 19, 2021
Have you always wanted to learn more about any aspects of open access publishing but never had the chance? This Open Access Week, we bring you an exciting opportunity to ask us any questions you may have and get them answered by a panel of experts. Just fill out a form and send us your questions!
Oct 19, 2021
October 20, 2021, 11:00 AM - October 20, 2021, 12:00 PM UTC 
Staying up to date on literature in their disciplines helps researchers in their work. This article gives an overview of how.
Oct 11, 2021
How can you decide whether reading a full paper is worth your time and what can you do to understand and evaluate a paper efficiently? This articles shares some overall tips to do so.
Oct 11, 2021
As an Editage Insights reader, I’m sure you’re aware that the theme of Peer Review Week 2021 is Identity in Peer Review. Considering the relevance of topic in the current landscape of scholarly publishing, I decided to delve deeper and understand in what ways identity influences peer review.
Sep 24, 2021
The proportion of authors from non-traditional research-producing countries has substantially increased in the past few years, but the increase in proportion of peer reviewers from these regions has not kept pace. Why is achieving regional diversity in peer review important? Which problems related to peer review may be effectively addressed by achieving this?
Sep 24, 2021
Dealing with negative peer reviewer comments can be a tough experience, and if the comments are harsh, they can be even more dispiriting. This article will help you understand how to cope with and respond to harsh comments objectively without letting them affect your morale.
Sep 17, 2021
To start Peer Review Week 2021 on an exciting note, we decided to kick off Day 1 by reaching out to members of the scholarly publishing community who’ve been kind enough to share their views, anecdotes, and suggestions on facilitating diversity in peer review.
Sep 16, 2021
With a wide variety of available scientific literature search tools, repositories, search engines, databases, and more, how do you pick the best one? This article will help you make that choice by listing all the things you should be looking for when selecting a literature search tool that works for you.
Sep 13, 2021
September 24, 2021, 14:00 PM - September 24, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
September 22, 2021, 14:00 PM - September 22, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
September 23, 2021, 12:30 PM - September 23, 2021, 13:30 PM UTC 
September 20, 2021, 09:00 AM - September 20, 2021, 10:00 AM UTC 
September 21, 2021, 14:00 PM - September 21, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
It’s that time of the year when the global scholarly community comes together to celebrate peer review and to bring to the fore the current challenges, expectations, perspectives, and evolving trends in peer review. We’re excited that Peer Review Week 2021 is just around the corner – September 20 to 24!
Sep 1, 2021
Literature search, in general, is quite a time- and effort-intensive task. It is therefore quite likely that researchers and clinicians involved in interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary projects end up spending more time and effort on literature search than others to ensure that they stay updated on multiple subject areas. This article gives interdisciplinary researchers some tips to stay updated on trends across multiple disciplines without spending valuable time or getting overwhelmed.
Aug 24, 2021
August 27, 2021, 11:30 AM - August 27, 2021, 12:30 PM UTC 
In a marked shift towards being more inclusive and equitable, the scientific publishing world welcomed a new ‘name change policy’ for research authors. The trans-inclusive name change agreement follows a simple and seamless approach that enables authors to discreetly update their names on published articles without any change in their DOI.
Aug 13, 2021
Following this brief explanation of what plagiarism is – essentially, ‘borrowing’ pieces of text published elsewhere and incorporating them into your article without any indication that you have done so – this short article mentions different types of plagiarism and offers some tips on how to avoid it in your work.
Aug 6, 2021
In the context of writing research papers, observing the conventions means that journal editors, reviewers, and – eventually – your readers will focus on your message and will not be sidetracked or, worse still, will not be prejudiced against you even before assessing the substance of your contribution. This article is meant to introduce you to some of the conventions of academic writing, conventions that you should observe if you wish to come across as someone who is familiar with the genre and not a newbie.
Aug 6, 2021
August 5, 2021, 11:00 AM - August 5, 2021, 12:00 PM UTC 
As an academic, experiencing creative and motivational blocks is commonplace. The good news is that there’s more than one way to deal with them. In this article, we've listed techniques you can use to ward off your researcher's block.
Jul 19, 2021
A concept paper is a preliminary document that sets out to explain what a proposed study is about, why it is being undertaken, and how it will be carried out. Find out how to write it in using this detailed guide.
Jul 15, 2021
Are you looking for more – more time, more success, more opportunities? Here’s how you can get the #POWERofMORE.
Jul 15, 2021
In this post, we will be talking about a few cases of rejection we’ve seen on the Editage Insights Q&A forum, how guidance by Editage senior editors helped them overcome challenging situations, and a new, in-demand solution to help authors in similar situations who are looking to submit in top international journals.
Jun 29, 2021
I asked some publication experts: What do researchers need? What is that missing piece that researchers need to become successful? And I received some really interesting and heartwarming responses, which I absolutely had to share with you! Don’t miss reading these and sharing your views on what you think.
Jun 15, 2021
There seem to be some unlikely similarities between celebrated chefs and successful researchers. But is there a recipe for success? Now there is. Take a look at this researcher-tested recipe with step-by-step instructions to bake the perfect manuscript muffin using the #POWERofMORE. My goal here is to give you the confidence to work on your research from scratch and deliver a masterpiece that is appreciated by journal editors, peer reviewers and peers alike.
Jun 14, 2021
June 29, 2021, 14:00 PM - June 29, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
Don’t we all want more? You can now access the MORE and achieve that which seemed just a few inches away from reach. Wondering how? Grab an invite to the big reveal!
Jun 7, 2021
June 30, 2021, 13:00 PM - June 30, 2021, 14:00 PM UTC 
Camille Noûs, a French researcher and prolific author with no less than 180 published scientific articles in the past year. However, Camille has been the subject of much discussion and controversy in scientific circles, and for good reason: Camille Noûs does not exist.
May 29, 2021
Now a group of members from eLife, Wiley, PLOS, the Center for Open Science, the University of Edinburgh, Nature Portfolio, Cell Press, and Science have come together to put forth the MDAR framework – Materials, Design, Analysis, Reporting.
May 24, 2021
May 28, 2021, 14:00 PM - May 28, 2021, 16:00 PM UTC 
May 26, 2021, 10:00 AM - May 26, 2021, 11:00 AM UTC 
As the COVID-19 causing virus continues to surge and mutate, researchers around the world are working to identify and study the mutations of the virus. Most researchers use GISAID, a popular repository, to store SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences. To access these sequences, researchers need to sign in to GISAID; and if they analyze any data, they are required to acknowledge the researchers to whom the data belongs.
May 11, 2021
May 14, 2021, 10:00 AM - May 14, 2021, 11:00 AM UTC 
In a decisive move, the Biden-led administration recently announced a reversal of restrictions implemented by the Trump administration in June 2019 on government-funded research using fetal tissue. Read on to know more.
Apr 23, 2021
Often researchers turn to literature search when they are planning their study. However, literature reading is a habit that can help researchers achieve long-term success. Watch this video to know more!
Apr 23, 2021
Recently, Clarivate released a report about the seismic shift in the research landscape across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region. In the past decades, the region’s volume of publications as well as citations has been growing exponentially, indicating increasing global attention and collaboration
Apr 17, 2021
April 30, 2021, 14:00 PM - April 30, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
May 5, 2021, 13:00 PM - May 5, 2021, 14:00 PM UTC 
When you become a scientist or a principal investigator for the first time it can be very daunting because till now you were guided by someone who wanted you to succeed as they were invested in your success. Now, this net is no longer there and it can become difficult to navigate through your career without taking some risks. Here are some things an early career scientist must keep in mind.
Mar 30, 2021
Reading relevant and recent literature is as integral a part of a researcher’s life as is conducting research. This free downloadable handbook offers tips on how you can achieve this.
Mar 25, 2021
Only one in three researchers in the world is a woman, according to recent estimates by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). Men continue to dominate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research worldwide. The underrepresentation of women continues to be a persistent problem and is all the more prominent in fields like engineering and computer science.
Mar 25, 2021
Elsevier and University of California (UC) sign an open access (OA) publishing deal that will include Elsevier's most prestigious journals such as The Lancet and Cell
Mar 22, 2021
March 30, 2021, 14:00 PM - March 30, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
The voice of women in academia is growing stronger and yet the gender gap continues to be a prominent issue even today. Women often have to shoulder more responsibilities and balance the different roles they play. This makes it difficult for them to continue pursuing their academic goals. What is the one change that needs to be made to enable women to pursue their academic goals? I posed this question to five notable women. Read on to know the insightful and interesting views they shared.
Mar 15, 2021
Spending on R&D is to increase, as per China's recently announced 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025)
Mar 12, 2021
Wouldn’t it be interesting to take a peek into how academic mothers managed their work while also taking care of their kids during the pandemic? We spoke to three remarkable academic mothers who shared their bittersweet experience that I’m sure every woman, especially mothers, reading this will be able to relate to.
Mar 10, 2021
Late last month, the UK government announced their plans to launch the Advanced Research & Invention Agency (ARIA) – an independent, scientist-led research agency to support “high-risk, high-reward” research projects. Find out more about it in this news piece!
Mar 5, 2021
The competing time demands of family and work, along with the emotional burdens arising from the pandemic pose different challenges for researchers. However, new data confirms female researchers, especially those with children, are struggling to stay productive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Feb 25, 2021
To help researchers avoid a desk rejection decision and speed through manuscript submission, Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a technology company facilitating scientific advancement, is organizing Pubathon – a two-day global research publishing event. Planned on February 25 and 26, 2021, the interactive and live event is aimed at sharing the perspectives of journal editors and researchers on journal submission.
Feb 18, 2021
February 25, 2021, 14:00 PM - February 25, 2021, 15:30 PM UTC Getting grant funding to conduct your research is one of the most important tasks for researchers and also one of the most challenging. So, how do you write a convincing grant proposal? Dr. Jacob Wickham, an editor, professor and researcher leverages his 15+ years in academia to simplify this key process for researchers in an R Upskill program.
Feb 12, 2021
February 23, 2021, 14:00 PM - February 23, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
February 24, 2021, 14:00 PM - February 24, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
Creativity is critical for researchers. It’s the ability to look at problems and find innovative solutions by training your mind to think differently. But how can you build this essential skill? Learn about creative thinking strategies in the R Upskill Masterclass by celebrated neuroscientist David Eagleman.
Feb 2, 2021
When I accepted my first academic job as an assistant professor of criminology, I packed up my home and left my friends and family to begin a new chapter of my life 250 miles away. The new position came with challenges, but it was also difficult to grapple with the loneliness I was feeling. My colleagues in the department were supportive and collegial, administrators and my peers and at the college were welcoming. But, at the end of the week, I was alone.
Feb 2, 2021
Last week, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) announced the retraction of 68 articles from three of its titles – RSC Advances, RSC Medicinal Chemistry, and Food and Function – on grounds of falsified research.
Jan 29, 2021
Society relies on researchers to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers, advancing the frontiers of human knowledge and finding answers to some of the most complex problems in the world. But are their work environments designed to foster the very qualities we admire in them and expect them to embody? What can research organizations, funders, and other decision-makers in academia do to ensure that their researchers are provided an environment that is positive and nurturing?
Jan 27, 2021
Along with motivation, successful and self-reliant researchers possess some skills that help them stay ahead of the curve. I’ve handpicked five that I personally think are essential for researchers. Are you ready to find out what these are?
Jan 27, 2021
As a researcher, I’m sure you’re no stranger to long working hours, multitasking, and occassional setbacks. Between the daily tasks and stressors if you feel low at any point, this video will be your pick-me-up! It offers tips for researchers on how to feel motivated and bring back the zest to go on.
Jan 25, 2021
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a non-profit publisher that publishes the Science group of journals, recently announced a new policy to align itself with Plan S
Jan 22, 2021
While the response to the pandemic brought South Korea to limelight, it is remarkable that the number of COVID-19 papers by Korean researchers is low compared to the papers being published around the world. What is the reason behind this gap between the response to COVID-19 and the research around it? Here are the views of four Korean researchers shared.
Jan 19, 2021
January 22, 2021, 14:00 PM - January 22, 2021, 15:00 PM UTC 
As the post-Brexit transition period was coming to an end, on December 24, the European Union (EU) and the UK struck an agreement that ends the uncertainty around UK’s participation in Horizon Europe program.
Jan 1, 2021
As the year closes, have a look at the top questions researchers had around manuscript submission guidelines and our responses to them
Dec 25, 2020
January 28, 2021, 12:00 PM - January 28, 2021, 13:00 PM UTC 
In a bold move earlier this month, open-access journal eLife revealed that it will soon transition to a new ‘publish, then review’ policy. Starting July 2021, the biomedical journal will only review and accept preprints, and will also move to make peer review reports, for both accepted and rejected manuscripts, available to the public.
Dec 21, 2020
Here’s a simple yet effective recipe with five ingredients, which are key to creating a well-written, submission-ready manuscript that delights the journal editor and whets the appetite of all those who get the first taste of your work.
Dec 18, 2020
This year, the Golden Goose awards were handed out to scientists for their momentous contribution to COVID-19 research.
Dec 11, 2020
As life forced many of us to move from one type of daily normal to another, we have all been tasked with keeping the wheels of productivity turning. Many are desperately trying to fit into this new sense of remote productivity, even if they end up feeling like a round hole being forced into a square peg!
Dec 7, 2020
Elsevier and JUSTICE, Japan's largest consortium of university libraries, announce a three-year open access (OA) agreement commencing January 1, 2021
Dec 4, 2020
My two year-old is asleep now and my first grader is about to work on her math assignment for the day. Right now, my spirit and flesh are both weak, I have to help with math homework, and I really should be grading.
Nov 30, 2020
Did you know that often researchers are unaware that they are flouting ethical norms of conducting research? This infographic includes the most common ethical considerations that must be considered when a study involves human subjects or experimental animals.
Nov 24, 2020
I leapt at the opportunity to reflect on my PhD and to write for those just starting out their exciting and terrifying PhD journeys. Then, I sat down to write, and the problem fell upon my shoulders: how do I both welcome and warn new researchers?
Nov 23, 2020
November 30, 2020, 14:00 PM - November 30, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC 
Today is the 7th anniversary of Editage Insights! And what makes this day all the more special for me is that today I am writing this post as Editage Insights’ new Editor-in-Chief.
Nov 12, 2020
Research culture has often been described as inherently competitive, stressful, and hierarchical. Chasing research excellence has led long working hours and work pressure to gain unquestioned acceptance. While this is discernible in research culture around the world, let's take a closer look at the research culture in Asia?
Nov 6, 2020
Posgraduate student numbers have been increasing every year, but have teaching faculty numbers kept pace? Also, has the faculty process has been clearly thought through and communicated to both staff and students, particularly to postgraduate supervisors? This article explores some interesting questions and proposes a model for officiating the boundaries of supervisor-student relationships.
Oct 28, 2020
2020 has brought with it many, many challenges, draining away my passion for my work. So, I decided to back track, and go right back to why I fell in love with the ocean in the first place and why I decided to dedicate my career to trying to do something to help save this precious environment.
Oct 27, 2020
The International Open Access Week is a great time for the community to reflect upon the ways open access is reshaping scholarly publishing and communication. We reached out to a bunch of people for their views on open access and how it is or can transform scholarly communication. Here’s what they had to say.
Oct 25, 2020
More and more scholarly societies, funders, publishers, and researchers are joining the efforts to make research behind pay walls accessible. Learn about some of the leading publishers with DOAJ-listed journals and detailed their efforts towards making full and immediate open access a reality
Oct 23, 2020
For the ongoing International Open Access Week 2020, we have curated the top questions by researchers around open access this year - and our responses to them
Oct 20, 2020
On the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2020, Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a technology company accelerating scientific advancement, released its much-anticipated global survey report on mental health, wellbeing, and fulfilment among researchers.
Oct 19, 2020
October 30, 2020, 14:00 PM - October 30, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC Indonesia is a world leader in the number of free-to-read published research journals. Know what this means for the research ecosystem in Indonesia.
Oct 18, 2020
October 23, 2020, 01:00 AM - October 23, 2020, 02:00 AM UTC 
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), caused by chronic inflammation in the digestive tract linings, can be debilitating and life threatening. A team of researchers at Tokyo University of Science has discovered a polyphenolic compound derived from blueberry that shows remarkable immunosuppressive effects and can be useful in treating IBD.
Oct 9, 2020
Self-esteem, or the value one assigns oneself, changes through life. Now, a new study by Japanese researchers examines the relationship of self-esteem with age and presents an analysis of web-based surveys, expanding our understanding of self-esteem.
Oct 9, 2020
If I had any idea what I was getting into with graduate school, I would have run in the opposite direction. Thankfully, I was naive and stepped through the door into a much bigger world. Yes, it was tough (more like horrible) and protracted (seemingly endless) but it was worth it.
Oct 8, 2020
“Flutter” is a complex oscillatory phenomenon that can destroy aircraft turbine blades and has historically been the cause of several plane accidents. Now, scientists at Tokyo University of Science and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency explore a novel approach that can be used to early detect the onset of flutter, solving one of the main problems that has been holding back the design of lighter and more efficient turbines.
Oct 6, 2020
Synthetic dyes are commonly used to assess the toxicity of chemical compounds in cell cultures. However, these dyes damage cells, rendering the cultures useless for long-term experiments. Recently, scientists from Japan discovered that a natural food pigment can replace synthetic dyes in cell viability assays for three widely varied types of cells—and performs better. Their approach is also environment-friendly and inexpensive, and opens up possibilities in a range of fields including drug discovery.
Oct 6, 2020
The internet is full of advice—maintaining physical and mental health; homeschooling; reading, watching, listening lists; connecting while social distancing; creating timetables for family routines; making your own hand sanitiser; and participating in housebound activities such as decluttering, learning a musical instrument/chess/a language; baking; and crafting.
Sep 28, 2020
While the significance of peer review itself cannot be contested, the fact remains that there are critical challenges around peer review. These challenges could hamper the dissemination of reliable and validated research, and could potentially demotivate researchers from taking up peer review themselves.
Sep 25, 2020
In some cases it may be challenging to remain patient if the review process is delayed, and critical comments may be disappointing after the substantial effort invested in the preparation of a manuscript. However, the independent feedback of experts in the research area may be very instructive.
Sep 25, 2020
I must admit that as a young academic, receiving a decision from a journal stirs up some strong emotions. With trembling hands I read the editor’s decision: Major revisions! Not a rejection, yay! But as I kept reading the reviewer comments, my initial joy soon turned into disappointment.
Sep 25, 2020
This article explores how authors and reviewers can make a difference to the quality of peer review by making the right choices, maintaining integrity, and having their goals set.
Sep 25, 2020
Each time I agree to review, I remember that first time, feeling like a scholarly impostor. Instead of letting it slow me down, I use it to shape my goals as a reviewer.
Sep 25, 2020
How did organic matter reach the Earth in the first place? One way to ponder this question is by observing the distribution and abundance of complex organic molecules in interstellar gas clouds. However, detecting such molecules in the less dense regions of these gas clouds has been challenging. Now, scientists from Japan have found concluding evidence for the presence of a particular complex organic molecule in such a region for the first time.
Sep 24, 2020
An exchange of genetic material that occurred when ancient giant viruses infected ancient eukaryotic cells could have caused the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell—its defining feature—to form, suggests Professor Masaharu Takemura of the Tokyo University of Science, Japan.
Sep 24, 2020
Most researchers gain experience as a peer reviewer when they start reviewing papers themselves. The quality of peer review can have an impact of the trust that journal editors put in a researcher’s work and on the publications as well. So would addressing the training requirement of peer reviewers make the process robust?
Sep 23, 2020
Trust is at play at various touchpoints of interactions among editors, researchers, and reviewers. Therefore, this is also where there is a potential for trust to be compromised. This article dives deep into the factors that bring the reliability of peer review in question.
Sep 23, 2020
As we discuss trust in this year’s Peer Review Week, our expert Christopher Leonard explains how AI is being used to aid human decision making, and how this, in turn, benefits both the author and reviewer, while speeding up the whole peer review process.
Sep 23, 2020
Unaffordable housing is a growing worldwide problem. In a recent review published in the International Journal of Urban Sciences, researchers dig into the housing affordability problem, defining it and looking beneath the surface for the core causes. They emerge with insights for policymakers and directions for further study that will help alleviate the crisis and lay the foundation for a better housing situation.
Sep 23, 2020
As the world comes together for Peer Review Week, we look at the benefits and challenges of preprints, and whether its growing popularity is eroding trust in peer review.
Sep 23, 2020
The long-drawn peer review process can be frustrating for not just for researchers, but also for the journal editor. How can you, the author, help accelerate the publication process, instil confidence in a process that enriches science, and increase your chances of getting published, all at once?
Sep 23, 2020
As we talk about trust in peer review, the theme of Peer Review Week 2020, we asked top-journal peer reviewers to share their views on this integral process. Read on to understand how top peer reviewers tackle reviews, their review experiences, and the critical role editing plays in scholarly publishing.
Sep 22, 2020
The refrain of “peer review is broken” or “science is broken” is reaching a crescendo. Researchers often ask, “If papers with flaws pass peer review, why am I struggling to publish?” If this sounds familiar, you may like these fab tips from an expert reviewer that will boost your paper’s chance of acceptance by top journals.
Sep 22, 2020
English is not the first language for most of the world’s researchers, who are vying to get their work published in top peer-reviewed journals. In fact, even native English speakers can sometimes struggle to explain technical information. Here, pre-submission manuscript editing can be key to help you achieve your top-journal publishing goals.
Sep 22, 2020
Today, even top researchers, editors and publishers are frustrated with the peer review system. So, what can or should be done to improve trust in the peer review system? What can journals and publishers do to build up trust? Read what an expert reviewer has to say.
Sep 22, 2020
In Peer Review Week 2020, we discuss trust in peer review with a focus on the main challenges for peer reviewers, and whether AI and technology can change scholarly publishing. See what three top-journal peer reviewers have to say about this critical process.
Sep 21, 2020
The words “published in a peer reviewed journal” are sometimes considered as the gold standard in science. But any professional scientist will tell you that the fact an article has undergone peer review is a long way from an ironclad guarantee of quality.
Sep 21, 2020
Academic review process was different in Einstein’s time. In his brilliant career, the only time his work was subjected to blind peer review – the authors don’t know the reviewers and vice versa – he showed contempt for what is now the gold standard of science. Was Einstein right to be so suspicious of the peer-review process? Should we learn from him and begin to question the widespread use of peer review in academic science?
Sep 21, 2020
Is the need for speed and urgency being balanced by the need for quality in peer review during COVID-19? This article briefly explores this question.
Sep 21, 2020
This post summarizes the main results of a survey on trust in peer review among Chinese researchers.
Sep 21, 2020
At first, it seems AI and peer review have nothing in common. Peer reviewers are human, and no machine has (yet) come up with the ability to read a paper and decide if it's worth publishing. For Peer Review Week 2020, which focuses on Trust in Peer Review, we discuss the role AI can play in peer review.
Sep 18, 2020
The truth is that love it or hate it, peer reviews play an integral part of the scholarly publishing process and research authors must learn to live with it. But in the run-up to the Peer Review Week 2020, you have to ask, do researchers – especially from emerging research countries – really trust the process?
Sep 17, 2020
A resurgence in cases after the easing of lockdown in many countries shows us that this pandemic is by no means over. We need to remember that now is not the time to relax and take risks.
Sep 14, 2020
When it comes to scholarly publishing, the reasons for rejection are often within your control and easily avoidable. Check out the most common mistakes that lead to rejection, with expert tips and a smart solution to help authors avoid desk rejection and maximize chances of publication success.
Sep 9, 2020
Transparent luminescent materials have several applications; but so far, few multicolor light–emitting solid transparent materials exist in which the color of emission is tunable. Now, a team of scientists from Japan has developed an unprecedented mechanism to tune the photoemission of a solid polymeric film—controlling the flow of protons in it by applying a voltage. Their study provides fresh insights into the creation of more efficient multicolor transparent luminescent materials.
Sep 8, 2020
Effective networking is an essential skill for a researcher, especially in times like these where almost everything is virtual. Here are the top 10 tips to make networking easy for researchers, and why YOU need to build your researcher network!
Sep 8, 2020
She eagerly tells her story, shows us her malnourished children and explains the intersection of poverty and inequalities that have contributed to her situation. We know that if tomorrow comes, she may not live to directly benefit from our research or her community may be skipped even if some policy is implemented based on our work.
Sep 8, 2020
In an exciting new study, scientists at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Korea use genetically engineered viruses to fabricate highly efficient colorimetric sensors, which indicate the presence of specific harmful substances through intuitive color changes. Their design holds a lot of promise for the easy detection of hazardous industrial chemicals and airborne environmental pollutants.
Sep 8, 2020
Masks are one of our simplest, cheapest and most effective allies in the war against COVID-19. In this article, Madhuri looks back at the hundred-year-old history of using masks to prevent plagues and pandemics and the science behind what makes them so strategically important as a public health tool.
Sep 7, 2020
This video briefly describes the mechanism underlying the infection of human cells with SARS-CoV-2 and the main biomolecules implicated in the process so far.
Sep 7, 2020
Dengue, zika, and chikungunya viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause tropical fevers with similar symptoms, making accurate diagnosis complicated. Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Korea have developed a simple and low-cost diagnostic platform that can readily detect the specific RNA of these viruses from a small blood sample.
Sep 7, 2020
Several researchers find writing a good research paper a daunting task since few receive formal training in academic writing. However, it can be a rewarding process where you get to present your hard work in a powerful and engaging way. So are you ready for some handy tips and guidelines to help you write a great paper?
Sep 7, 2020
September 23, 2020, 14:00 PM - September 23, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC 
September 24, 2020, 13:00 PM - September 24, 2020, 14:00 PM UTC 
September 25, 2020, 14:00 PM - September 25, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC 
September 25, 2020, 06:30 AM - September 25, 2020, 07:30 AM UTC 
As a linguist, I started out as a reluctant fieldworker because of my social anxiety, and I am not built for adventure. But the truth is there is no place I’d rather be.
Sep 2, 2020
I had moved full circle - from the desire to do research, to clinical practice and on to inquiring, exploring and creating a cohesive idea from other people’s research. I became the person on the other end of the spectrum, moving information out of academia and into the hands of people who wanted to use it. I think I finally found my niche!
Sep 1, 2020
Peer Review Week 2020 is coming up - and we would like you to join us in all the great discussions around peer review!
Sep 1, 2020
Does the task of writing make you nervous? Being aware of some of the most common pitfalls in scientific writing can help you avoiding them.
Aug 31, 2020
Even novel, high-impact research can face problems at the journal submission stage if they don’t meet ethical guidelines or lack the required declarations. Take a look at the top three ethical declarations to keep in mind when submitting your manuscript to your target journal.
Aug 31, 2020
Patient management was near to breaking point as residents started demanding necessary PPEs and that COVID019 patients be admitted and accommodated separately, away from non-COVID019 patients. One of our doctors became seriously ill soon after, contracting COVID-19.
Aug 31, 2020
September 21, 2020, 14:00 PM - September 21, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC 
An infographic presenting an overview of the probable sequence of events leading to the emergence of COVID-19
Aug 28, 2020
This infographic offers a snapshot of the common diagnostic tests used for COVID-19.
Aug 28, 2020
Effective wound care requires the maintenance of optimal conditions for skin and tissue regeneration. Now, in a breakthrough study, scientists at Tokyo University of Science, Japan, have developed a new method that requires no specialized equipment and can be performed at room temperature to produce an alkaline hydrogel in five minutes, allowing its easy implementation in any medical practice for superior wound healing.
Aug 26, 2020
I sometimes feel it is an unfair game for researchers who are non-native English speakers. People whose native language is English will be in an advantaged since they can access information immediately without having to filter it through another language. However, at the same time, I found out that the incompetent feeling I had towards conducting my research was not simply due to the lack of fluency in English.
Aug 23, 2020
September 3, 2020, 03:00 AM - September 3, 2020, 04:00 AM UTC 
This is an infographic summarizing the key aspects of COVID-19 epidemiology known so far.
Aug 21, 2020
An infographic summarizing the most important measures for controlling the spread of COVID-19
Aug 20, 2020
After my last research project, which lasted six and a half years, I started considering science communication as one of my career options. Since research was out of my life, I started exploring opportunities for creative writing, and continue to do so even today.
Aug 19, 2020
I cannot remember since which spring I was not able to smell the scent of lilac anymore. I guess it was around the time when the smell of acetic acid, which had always felt very pungent, had become dull. But I still could taste, so I was just satisfied with it.
Aug 16, 2020
Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the SARS CoV-2 virus named Sputnik V. The decision was met with outrage as many researchers around the world opine that the vaccine has been rolled out without the completion of phase three trials.
Aug 14, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the importance of a thriving scientific ecosystem for dealing with global crises. In this two-part article series, Kaushik Biswas, Associate Professor at the Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, discusses how innovative scientific endeavours are paving the way for better prevention and treatment strategies for this rapidly-spreading disease.
Aug 14, 2020
Bone-dissolving cells called osteoclasts are derived from a type of immune cells called macrophages. They are necessary for the maintenance and renewal of bones. But the intracellular mechanisms through which macrophages convert to osteoclasts are not fully understood. Recently, scientists at the Tokyo University of Science uncovered the role of a protein called Cpeb4 in this process.
Aug 12, 2020
In the race to publishing success, journal selection is one of the most confusing, yet crucial, hurdles researchers have to jump. Take a look at the key points to consider when choosing a target journal for manuscript submission.
Aug 12, 2020
The agglomeration of proteins into structures called amyloid plaques is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Now, scientists reveal how resonance with an infrared laser causes amyloid fibrils to disintegrate from the inside out.
Aug 12, 2020
But then my way of life was disrupted abruptly and terribly — I suffered a stroke while I was at home, eagerly waiting to start my PhD in the US.
Aug 10, 2020
Various proteins expressed in cells of the immune system have shown to play an important role in various disorders, including cancer, allergy, and autoimmune disease. In a new study, scientists find out how an immune checkpoint protein called PD-L2, which is expressed on the surface of a type of immune cells, is regulated at the molecular level. The findings of this study have the potential to usher in new developments in the field of immune therapy.
Aug 6, 2020
Did you know, 50% of published articles are only read by the author, journal editor and reviewer, while 90% are never cited? Regardless of its importance, published papers can fall through the cracks; this is where an article summary of your research can help authors reach and engage with a wider audience.
Aug 3, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the importance of a thriving scientific ecosystem for dealing with global crises. Kaushik Biswas discusses how innovative scientific endeavours are paving the way for better prevention and treatment strategies for this rapidly-spreading disease.
Jul 30, 2020
Being “better off” than others does not mean “feeling good”. I still needed to make efforts to preserve my mental health. I thus tried to make up for the lack of social interaction by doing this set of things.
Jul 29, 2020
It shouldn’t be worse than last year’s two-month-long strike. Our students stood by us back then to defend our rights. Now we should do the same...
Jul 28, 2020
Once you enter the world of academia, you quickly realize that the culture of ‘publish or perish’ is here to stay. So how do you maximize your chance of success? Here’s a 10-point manuscript submission readiness checklist to get you started.
Jul 28, 2020
You’ve worked hard and think you’re on a winning path when you submit your manuscript to a top academic journal, only to be derailed by a peer review. Here's how authors can accelerate this process or have a more positive influence on the outcome of a peer review.
Jul 23, 2020
This article features infographics showing the results of surveys on how COVID-19 has affected researchers in Japan and Korea.
Jul 23, 2020
This infographic provides an overview of what is known about five drugs currently being tested for COVID-19 treatment.
Jul 23, 2020
Vaccine makers across the world are racing to develop protective coronavirus vaccines, using both traditional and innovative approaches. This article provides a summary of the promising vaccine candidates.
Jul 21, 2020
These quotidian goals are also a way to challenge myself to listen to others and to read from different perspectives, and offer a chance to reflect on our complicated and delicate lives and world.
Jul 20, 2020
Alzheimer’s disease progressively degrades a person’s memory and cognitive abilities, often resulting in dementia. Amid efforts to find novel treatments for this disease, a recent breakthrough study by scientists from Japan shows that oxytocin—the hormone that we commonly know to induce feelings of love and well-being—can also effectively reverse some of the damage caused by amyloid plaques in the learning and memory center of the brain in an animal model of Alzheimer’s.
Jul 20, 2020
The quantum spin liquid (QSL) state is an exotic state of matter where the spin of electrons, which generally exhibits order at low temperatures, remains disordered. Now, scientists from Tokyo University of Science, Japan, have developed a new material where a two-dimensional QSL state can be experimentally observed, advancing our knowledge of spin behavior, and getting us closer to next-generation “spintronic” devices.
Jul 17, 2020
July 30, 2020, 14:00 PM - July 30, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC 
Cancers cells use a special technique to propagate; they delete their “programmed death” gene through mutation, “forget” to die when their lifetime is over, and continue to grow instead. A research team from Tokyo University of Science has developed a method through which a fungal compound capable of rearming the self-destruct gene in certain cancer cells can be artificially produced in marketable quantities, providing a potential cancer therapeutic strategy.
Jul 17, 2020
For people with pre-existing mental health disorders, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exacerbate their condition, especially due to the lack of access to support structures and professional help. Here are some strategies to keep taking care of yourself if you are in this situation.
Jul 16, 2020
The need to first zero in on a blood group can delay blood transfusions in emergency situations, and this in turn can prove fatal. Thus, to speed up the process, a team of scientists from Tokyo University of Science has developed a lab-on-a-chip device that can not only tell the blood type within five minutes but allows medical staff to read the results through simple visual inspections.
Jul 16, 2020
Why wait nervously to see how the post-COVID-19 world unfolds? Empower yourself by acquiring the skills you always wanted to and take a step closer to success.
Jul 16, 2020
A research team from Fujita Health University, Japan, has found that bacteria of the genus Bartonella release a protein that stimulates the production of new blood vessels that support bacterial lesions. This discovery may help scientists develop new methods for diagnosing and treating these infections.
Jul 15, 2020
Earth’s geographical surfaces have been formed over millions of years. Although various geological theories aim to explain their formation, the southern Tibetan Plateau is a region consisting of complex geological structures, whose origin has been unclear until now. In a new study published in Earth Science Frontiers, a team of geologists used an alternative “opening-closing” tectonic model to explain the origin of these structures.
Jul 15, 2020
From my personal experience, I know how difficult it is to get into an international PhD program: it took me three years and dozens of applications to finally achieve my goal. In this article, I would like to share some tips which I learnt the hard way while applying for my PhD.
Jul 14, 2020
For a while, I felt demotivated thinking about my previous academic accomplishments. But I also knew that getting a PhD degree would help alleviate the sense of failure I associated with my academic progress.
Jul 13, 2020
It remains early days for my online teaching. I am constantly trying to find new ways of doing things, modifying my approach as I go, and considering how best to change what — and how — I do it.
Jul 9, 2020
The plant product cellulose is the most abundant form of biomass globally and can be converted into useful products such as biofuels. However, the processing of this biopolymer is cumbersome. To overcome this, scientists in Japan recently developed a novel laser-based technique that makes cellulose degradation easier.
Jul 9, 2020
Medical implants, such as pacemakers, serve various functions in patients and help to improve their quality of life. But re-implants and invasive surgery are often required, which may lead to a risk of surgical complications. Now scientists at GIST, Korea, developed a unique photonic device that reduces the need for re-implants, paving the way for a breakthrough in medical implant technology.
Jul 8, 2020
Do researchers feel supported in academia, or would they like a few things to change? A round up of experiences shared by researchers who participated in the global survey on mental health in academia.
Jul 6, 2020
Single sign-on systems (SSOs) allow us to login to multiple websites and applications using a single username and password combination. But these are third party systems usually handled by big tech companies who have been reported to gather and leak personal information without user consent. Now, researchers from Tokyo University of Science, Japan, have developed a new and secure single sign-on algorithm that eliminates all these problems.
Jul 3, 2020
In a new study, scientists at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed novel ligand molecules, which facilitate a catalytic reaction that generates useful compounds called chromanones. The newly synthesized ligand molecules offer an effective strategy for generation of chromanones, opening doors to a myriad of applications in drug design.
Jul 2, 2020
Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), a leader in advancing copyright, accelerating knowledge, and powering innovation, announces a partnership with Editage, the flagship brand of Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a technology company accelerating scientific advancement, to offer its Research Promotion Solutions for authors through the growing community of RightsLink® for Scientific Communicat ions publishers.
Jun 26, 2020
July 15, 2020, 11:30 AM - July 15, 2020, 12:30 PM UTC 
My advice to anybody who is feeling depressed in their research journey is to try as much as possible to look for a mentor, even among friends or family, to discuss your thoughts and experiences with.
Jun 25, 2020
Predatory author services are the newest avatar of predatory publishers, but with the same malicious intent: to deceive new, inexperienced researchers. With the backing of industry leaders like Cabells and Editage, here's how researchers can take on the latest scientific predator
Jun 24, 2020
Hydrogen is a clean energy source that can be produced by splitting water molecules with light. However, it is currently impossible to achieve this on a large scale. In a recent breakthrough, scientists at Tokyo University of Science, Japan, developed a novel method that uses plasma discharge in solution to improve the performance of the photocatalyst in the water-splitting reaction. This opens doors to exploring a number of photocatalysts that can help scale-up this reaction.
Jun 19, 2020
June 30, 2020, 13:30 PM - June 30, 2020, 14:30 PM UTC 
I was happy and ready to take on the world. Little did I know the year ahead would have the biggest professional hurdle of my life.
Jun 17, 2020
When universities went on lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers had to pivot quickly and balance their workload; those teaching had the additional work of providing support to their students. Could they do this successfully? Did they themselves feel supported?
Jun 15, 2020
What's funny is that some of my students now coax and encourage me to finish my research. The students whom I always guide and help are also the ones who guide and help me with my study. I thank God for the opportunity to be a researcher and a guide for researchers.
Jun 11, 2020
The interaction between ‘transfer RNAs’ and the enzymes that help them in protein synthesis is a key area of interest to understand the evolution of the genetic code. Now, a team of researchers report a subunit of ‘alanyl-tRNA synthetase’ enzyme of the primitive microorganism Nanoarchaeum equitans can mimic the super-primitive tRNA ‘aminoacylation’ independent of the presence of a special ‘G3:U70’ base pair, a property previously unseen in primitive organisms.
Jun 8, 2020
Cactus Communications recently launched a unique platform that minimizes the need for COVID-19 researchers to trawl through multiple sources for research findings and resources. The idea behind the platform is to ensure that researchers have everything they need in one place.
Jun 7, 2020
I spend a few seconds sinking into this emotion, shuddering from the reality that the life of a black man/woman/child is not valued the same as my white friends and coworkers. I feel guilty about not speaking up and telling someone…but find that I don’t know where to begin.
Jun 5, 2020
Cactus Communications, a technology company accelerating scientific advancement, today announced the launch of R (researcher.life), an extensive integrated ecosystem of tools and support for academic researchers
Jun 5, 2020
I always wanted to be sure I would always have something to fall back on. With my structures of certainty, I could do anything. That was, until I lost just about everything.
Jun 5, 2020
When total lockdown was annnounced in my state, my husband was out of town. With a sisnking feeling, I realized that I would have to manage a pressing research deadline and my baby all alone.
Jun 3, 2020
After analyzing the composition of soil samples across a large mountainous region in Southwest China, a team of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and China Geological Survey explains how natural processes determine thedistribution of chemical elements on Earth’s surface. This study, published in Earth Science Frontiers, demonstrates that human activity, such as mining, disrupts the normal evolution of this distribution, affecting land resources and quality.
Jun 3, 2020
I was self-sponsoring and even without the equipment, my research would have dug deep into my pockets. How I wish I had the money to carry out my research!
Jun 2, 2020
As an academic it’s a tough time, although many of us are taking online classes and helping our students to the best of our ability.
Jun 1, 2020
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has halted an innovative coronavirus testing program by a Seattle research team that first detected the spread of COVID-19 in the US.
May 29, 2020
Whilst in some ways I feel I have adjusted a little too well to lockdown life, other aspects are very difficult to get used to. For instance, the passage of time.
May 29, 2020
One of my main research goals for this year is to conduct a clinical study on feeding tubes, as the problem needs to be fully identified before thinking of a solution. This work will be delayed if the situation continues for more than a few weeks, which is looking likely.
May 28, 2020
Verbal communication is becoming increasingly important for academic success. Here are some tips for effective verbal communication in situations you might commonly find yourself in, including conducting research, communicating with dissertation mentors, and networking.
May 27, 2020
I had to cancel my wedding because of COVID-19. My PI and institution’s unrealistic expectations only added to my troubles. I now keep myself motivated by thinking about my wedding next year — when I can finally relax.
May 26, 2020
cOAlition S announces price transparency rules for publishers that will come into effect in July 2022.
May 22, 2020
After confirming my pregnancy, the first thing I did was to disclose it to my lab supervisor and colleagues. The reason was simple. I am a scientist who conducts experiments in a laboratory full of hazards. I soon learned that most toxicity information about reagents is designed based only on adult males and I couldn't find a lab coat fits me during my pregnancy!
May 20, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way we see the world and ourselves and could deepen pre-existing social inequalitites or create new ones. It is up to sceintists to think critically about the identity changes that are caused by COVID-19 and their social, economic, and ethical ramifications.
May 18, 2020
I was exhausted, sleep deprived, and often depressed, but I finished my research and made all the amendments requested by my supervisor. Finally, I submitted my research, the result of blood, sweat, and tears, to an academic journal.
May 18, 2020
Even through the feelings of fear and uncertainty, the current global COVID-19 crisis is helping us re-emerge as better humans, almost as though we all entered reboot mode together. If you haven’t yet noticed how the self-isolation and social distancing enforced by COVID-19 has changed the way we lead our lives, here’re a few eye-openers for you.
May 15, 2020
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization for the first CRISPR-based diagnostic test kit to detect coronavirus in the country.
May 15, 2020
In the eighth and final part of this republished webinar series organized by the Leibniz Network, Dr. Hendrik Huthoff reminds researchers that they can opt for online counselling sessions to help them manage their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 14, 2020
Plastic waste often ends up in river bodies and oceans, posing a serious threat to the marine ecosystem. To prevent the accumulation of plastic debris, we must find out where plastic emission is prevalent. To this end, scientists in Japan have come up with a new method to track plastic emissions from inland areas to sea. This method is useful to identify the “hotspots” of plastic emission and can even help to implement appropriate measures to avoid plastic pollution.
May 14, 2020
An in-depth look at how preprints are helping accelerate research around COVID-19, including challenges and measures to overcome them
May 14, 2020
Some plants, like soybean, are known to possess an innate defense machinery that helps them develop resistance against insects trying to feed on them. However, exactly how these plants recognize signals from insects has been unknown until now. In a new study, scientists in Japan have uncovered the cellular pathway that helps these plants to sense danger signals and elicit a response, opening doors to a myriad of agricultural applications.
May 14, 2020
Make a great first impression with your manuscript.
May 13, 2020
Impress the editor and reviewers by following established guidelines and format
May 13, 2020
Breeze through all the stages of your publication journey with these checklists
May 13, 2020
May 28, 2020, 10:30 AM - May 28, 2020, 11:30 AM UTC 
ADVANCED COURSE: Highlight the research problem and write more persuasively with a downloadable template, detailed examples, instructional video, and more.
May 13, 2020
Get a comprehensive guide with expert advice, practical tips and a reliable checklist to showcase and explain the robust methods used to conduct your research study
May 13, 2020
Learn how to create a winning grant proposal and communicate your work effectively to secure the funding you need for your research.
May 13, 2020
Practical advice and tips to track your manuscript’s progress, understand its status, and identify situations that need action during the journal submission process.
May 13, 2020
Choose the right open access route for publishing your paper
May 13, 2020
Convince grant committees to fund your project
May 12, 2020
Understand how to create a well-structured background for your research work and effectively describe what your study aims to accomplish
May 12, 2020
5-steps to pen the right title for your manuscript
May 12, 2020
Increase the visibility of your research paper with a well-written abstract
May 12, 2020
Tips and examples to highlight your results
May 12, 2020
Provide meaning and perspective to those exciting results
May 12, 2020
Articulate your results to enable readers to duplicate the study
May 12, 2020
Showcase your findings in a well-structured results and discussion section that maximizes your research and grabs the attention of top journals.
May 12, 2020
Putting yourself and your wellbeing first makes you a happier and better researcher.
May 12, 2020
Write a compelling abstract to increase the chances of readers wanting to know more
May 12, 2020
Dr. Hendrik Huthoff shares an incident from his PhD journey that led him to open up to someone he trusted about his anxieties and how it eventually helped him seek professional help regarding his mental health.
May 12, 2020
Quantify your numerical data while maintaining accuracy and consistency
May 12, 2020
Communicate more effectively with this specially curated collection of easy templates and expert tips for 10+ situations when corresponding with journals editors.
May 12, 2020
Learn to make large amounts of complex data easy-to-understand
May 12, 2020
Record your research activity from experiment to observation
May 12, 2020
Learn more about fabrications, lies, half-truths, and misrepresentation that plague the current system and how to avoid them
May 12, 2020
Learn how you can protect your research, intellectual property, and commercial interests
May 12, 2020
Learn the essentials of protecting your research
May 12, 2020
The essential peer reviewer training program for new and established peer reviewers, designed by research experts and endorsed by Wolters Kluwer.
May 12, 2020
Graphs, figures, tables, charts, or figures—know the best way to present your data most effectively
May 12, 2020
Does heat cause COVID-19? Or is it caused by mosquito bites? There are many theories and speculations about the pandemic and how it spreads. Here’s an infographic that lists some of the common myths around the novel coronavirus.
May 11, 2020
Take the first steps toward research success
May 11, 2020
Learn everything you need to know about ethics in research writing and publishing
May 11, 2020
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to create an eye-catching research poster that will get your work noticed at conferences.
May 11, 2020
60 minutes is all you need to learn how to catch the attention of the reader
May 11, 2020
Organize your findings and results using the right format
May 8, 2020
A comprehensive guide on different types of illustrations commonly used in science writing
May 8, 2020
Present confidently and get noticed at academic conferences
May 8, 2020
An essential guide to create research posters that stand out
May 8, 2020
Master formal written communication and gain an edge over others
May 8, 2020
Dr. Desiree Dickerson urges us to show ourselves and others compassion amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while Dr. Hendrik Huthoff and Dr. Nicola Byrom offer ways of dealing with practical problems such as difficult relationships or an impending contract deadline.
May 8, 2020
Foolproof strategies to revise and resubmit your manuscript.
May 8, 2020
Know if you’ve covered all bases to sail through the submission process smoothly
May 8, 2020
An all-in-one resource to give you the perfect run-through of peer review
May 8, 2020
Improve your chances of publication by ensuring your manuscript is error-free
May 8, 2020
Refine the quality of your writing by knowing more about the specific purpose and audience of scientific writing
May 8, 2020
Eliminate word-choice errors and create a publish-worthy manuscript
May 8, 2020
Handy tips to make your writing readable, precise, clear and coherent
May 8, 2020
Easy-to-use grammar tips that will help you avoid errors in your research paper
May 8, 2020
Write error-free and impactful scientific manuscripts
May 7, 2020
Master the usage of punctuation in academic research writing
May 7, 2020
Practical guidelines to help you write for an international audience
May 7, 2020
Improve your research's visibility, citations, and impact by simply enhancing it's discoverability
May 7, 2020
Make presentations that captivate your audience
May 7, 2020
Almost overnight, because of a persistent, nifty virus, professors and teachers had to shift their classrooms online. Here are some tools that have been making life easier for researchers and instructors worldwide, helping them overcome the obstacles thrown in by social isolation.
May 7, 2020
Share your research findings for greater impact and dissemination
May 7, 2020
Know more about the advantages of doing good scientific research from an expert
May 7, 2020
Provide context, relevance, and background to your research problem
May 7, 2020
Give the reader context and background about your research problem
May 7, 2020
Build basic and advanced concepts of statistics
May 7, 2020
Get expert advice and practical tips on crafting a compelling introduction that lays the foundation for your research and captures your reader’s attention!
May 7, 2020
I am a researcher from an ordinary public university in South Brazil. For many of you who follow the news, this simple information speaks for itself. My colleagues and I do research with the minimum of everything - except for strength of purpose. That, thankfully, we researchers have in abundance.
May 7, 2020
Master the IMRAD format and be assured of research success
May 7, 2020
This bite-sized course will familiarize you with concepts you need to know to write a winning manuscript
May 6, 2020
Two hours are all you'll need to master the basics of citations and references
May 6, 2020
In the fifth part of this republished webinar series organized by the Leibniz Network, Dr. Nicola Byrom shares how researchers can deal with the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic by reorienting their expectations from life and changing their approach.
May 6, 2020
A concise course to help you understand the reasons manuscripts get rejected
May 6, 2020
The A to Z of academic publishing –understand the publication process, the journey of the manuscript, and the basics concepts of academic writing
May 6, 2020
Make your research writing more readable for your intended audience with better planning
May 6, 2020
Clearly establish the focus of your study and value of your research
May 6, 2020
An overview of scholarly publishing - perfect to introduce all the basic concepts researchers should know about
May 6, 2020
A complete guide to well-structured research reports
May 6, 2020
Everything you need to know about writing and structuring your thesis
May 6, 2020
A tried and tested method that will help you plan your research better and achieve research success
May 6, 2020
Prepare for the roles and responsibilities of a corresponding author.
May 5, 2020
Work habits that highly productive researchers use to become more efficient.
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on decoding journals statuses and how to track your manuscript through the peer review process.
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on how to plan, manage and conduct research effectively to boost your work’s impact.
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on how to understand, deal with and move on from a journal rejection.
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on finding the most suitable journals for your research manuscript.
May 5, 2020
Part 4 of the Leibniz Network webinar series on COVID-19. Here, Dr. Hendrik Huthoff and Dr. Nicola Byrom encourage researchers to reach out for mental health support during these trying times.
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on how to write a persuasive submission cover letter and what to include in your package (includes free submission checklist).
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on how to showcase each section of your manuscript to boost your chance of acceptance.
May 5, 2020
Cactus Communications will host a virtual conference for academic societies and publishers on May 21-22, 2020. The two-day free event will have KOLs and thought leaders from the scholarly publishing industry discussing wide-ranging topics like science communication strategies, advocacy and community, the research culture and mental health in academia, and AI and editorial workflows.
May 5, 2020
Avoid common pitfalls and resolve authorship issues in an ethical and responsible manner.
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on best practices when responding to peer reviewers for a better shot at acceptance.
May 5, 2020
Short email-based lessons on promoting and increasing the visibility of your work to boost your reputation as a researcher.
May 5, 2020
Dr. Desiree Dickerson urges us to show ourselves some compassion amid the COVID-19 pandemic; Dr. Hendrik Huthoff (Scientific Manager of the Jena School for Microbial Communication) talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic could affect doctoral programs; and Dr. Nicola Byrom (Lecturer in Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neurosciences at King’s College London), begins her session on managing anxieties and low mood during social isolation.
May 4, 2020
Clearly distinguish between your ideas and the borrowed ideas on which your research conclusions are based
May 4, 2020
In “7 Steps to Plan an Effective Meeting with Your Supervisor” you will learn simple step-by-step strategies to have tough conversations with your supervisor and collaborators, and avoid mistakes that can set you back months, maybe even years.
May 4, 2020
In the midst of the mounting uncertainty around COVID-19, all of us are facing challenges. It is okay to ponder what tomorrow will bring, to make projections and consider different scenarios. But most importantly, we need to keep moving, one day at a time, doing our best with the limited resources at our disposal.
May 3, 2020
Dr. Desiree Dickerson, Academic Mental Health and Well-Being Consultant, talks about how you can offer support someone who is dealing with mental health issues during COVID-19.
Apr 30, 2020
A dissertation or thesis defense is difficult at the best of times. But what happens when you have to defend your research online during a global pandemic? Here are the experiences of seven researchers who had to defend their theses online during COVID-19.
Apr 28, 2020
In the first part of this republished webinar series, Dr. Desiree Dickerson, Academic Mental Health and Well-Being Consultant, shares some useful tips to help researchers deal with their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apr 28, 2020
Because I was experiencing mild flu-like symptoms, I started self-isolating 2 weeks before official restrictions were introduced. My productivity was impacted, but I accepted that I was sick and had to recover.
Apr 27, 2020
In the meantime, life had of course not stopped elsewhere. My landlord back in Nigeria persistently messaged to inform me that he had sold the building where I was renting an apartment
Apr 27, 2020
When I first left for university, I realized, by no choice of mine, that I am gay. It was a long, tough road to accept this about myself, but I am gay and I am here and it wasn’t a choice.
Apr 27, 2020
My life has been affected in multiple ways. Most importantly, the uncertainty that this pandemic is producing has undoubtedly modified my plans for the next few months regarding my research, conferences, and grant applications.
Apr 27, 2020
May 11, 2020, 14:00 PM - May 11, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC 
Many researchers are experiencing anxiety while trying to work from home during the COVID-19 lockdown. This aricle shares some tips to deal with these distressful period.
Apr 24, 2020
Researchers and journal editors from around the world are working hard to publish relevant findings quicker and making them more accessible in multiple ways. PubSURE’s manuscript evaluation tool saves authors time by telling them beforehand if their manuscripts are not submission-ready and lets editors focus on expediting the processing of those that already are.
Apr 23, 2020
Acyl fluorides have recently gained much attention in transition-metal catalysis due to their stability and selective reactivity. However, their commercial production remains a challenge. A group of researchers in Tokyo have found a way to generate complex acyl fluorides from widely available acyl fluorides through a reversible reaction, with the rare metal palladium at the core of this process.
Apr 23, 2020
Efficient quantum computing is expected to enable advancements that are impossible with classical computers. Scientists from Japan and Sydney have collaborated and proposed a novel two-dimensional design that can be constructed using existing integrated circuit technology. This design solves typical problems facing the current three-dimensional packaging for scaled-up quantum computers, bringing the future one step closer.
Apr 23, 2020
It’s hard to be a happy academic at times like these. How can one focus on much other than the chaos around the world? Maybe we could be excused from expectations (often our own!) of producing quality academic outputs in the midst of a global pandemic?
Apr 22, 2020
Medical editor and science communicator, Mahasweta Pal, writes about the organizations leading COVID-19 coronavirus research and vaccine development, including pharma companies and academia-industry collaborations.
Apr 20, 2020
The COVID-19 situation is making me feel nervous and exhausted, but somewhere I am also excited about the end result. Coming out of this pandemic will, I'm sure, allow a mindset of gratefulness to sweep across this world. To me, this 'LOCKDOWN' is a 'LOVEDOWN' - where I am taking time to appreciate my love for others and expound on the love for myself.
Apr 20, 2020
The COVID-19 global pandemic has created a huge impact on our personal and professional lives. There are many unanswered questions, and we look to research for answers. So we've dedicated a section of our Q&A forum for all your questions on COVID-19. We invite each and every one of you to post your pressing questions about COVID-19 and to answer the questions others have posted.
Apr 17, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the academic community in various ways. In the midst of this chaos, Academic Twitter offers support, encouragement and advice to researchers who are struggling with the outbreak.
Apr 16, 2020
Medical researcher Dr. Abdul Razzaque writes about the coronavirus, advises on preventive measures and busts common myths surrounding the virus and how it is spread.
Apr 16, 2020
Cactus Communications announced the launch of covid19.researcher.life, a platform that not only offers researchers access to the latest research and information on COVID-19 but also allows them to collaborate and share potential hypotheses and challenges with researchers from other disciplines.
Apr 16, 2020
I started having fevers, fatigue, and shortness of breath. I called a doctor and they informed me that I may or may not have COVID-19, but since my symptoms would be categorized as “mild” and I’m in my 20s, I was not given any test referrals. Days of waiting in my room made me realize that I have another support system and that’s here in Philly – and this support system includes my lab mates, PI, and housemates.
Apr 16, 2020
Springer Nature has committed to joining Plan S after cOAlition S announced revised guidelines for the implementation of Plan S. With this decision, Nature and Nature-branded journals will eventually become fully open access.
Apr 15, 2020
There’s an opportunity here for scientists to lead by example, both in the way we act and the way we communicate. To show the way in dealing with uncertainty, with changing information, and with appropriate responses.
Apr 14, 2020
My supervisor has been reading and criticizing the statement of the problem for the past session and a half. Whenever I ask him for feedback, he give me his usual proverb of the ineffectiveness of a cure of ringworm for a case of leprosy.
Apr 9, 2020
At the time that I was trying to pursue my Bachelor’s degree, I was married, had a baby, and my bills and mortgage payments that had fallen way behind. I then went through one of the worse divorces ever! However, even though three more years had passed and I was a single mom with two children, I still wanted to earn a Bachelor’s degree!
Apr 9, 2020
I check in with students via email, host Zoom office hours, and talk on the phone with them, but the organic nature of those connections feels strained and frantic now. This isn’t tending to a garden full of budding minds; this is putting out little fires every day.
Apr 8, 2020
Your elevator pitch is all about promoting yourself in a few sentences. Just like a good movie trailer does, you must hook your listeners' attention so that they want to hear more of what you have to say.
Apr 7, 2020
At times it may be difficult to work with your supervisor. To help you establish and maintain a healthy relationship, check out this post for some great tips.
Apr 7, 2020
New study by NCSU researchers examines network size and structure to show how false information can be quickly replaced by accurate information in digital and social media networks
Apr 3, 2020
With universities closed, no lab work, and conferences cancelled, many researchers are unable to make headway with their research. This article provides some tips on how you can be productive even if you cannot work on your research project at the moment due to lockdowns.
Apr 2, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping through the world. In an attempt to stop the transmission of infections, academia has taken several tough steps. While these measures are crucial in ensuring the safety of people and curbing the possibilities of further transmission, has COVID-19 set in motion events that could have a long-lasting, unprecedented impact on the research landscape?
Apr 2, 2020
In a new study, scientists from Tokyo University of Science, led by Prof Hidenori Otsuka, have developed a novel biocompatible hydrogel that acts as a structural scaffold for the growth of cartilage-producing cells, showcasing a promising new tool for tissue regeneration.
Mar 30, 2020
We decided to present the case in the grand round. In grand rounds, rare cases and cases that are difficult to diagnose are discussed by the trainees in presence of faculty members.
Mar 30, 2020
I was back to the initial situation; none of my advisors believed in me. But I learnt that you need only one person to believe in what you do and that person is you. Eventually, luck comes to those looking for it.
Mar 30, 2020
Mathematicians Hillel Furstenberg and Gregory Margulis have been jointly awarded the 2020 Abel Prize, which is one of the most prestigious prizes in the field of mathematics.
Mar 27, 2020
As a researcher, you must be familiar with feelings such as anxiety, depression, self-doubt, failure, rejection, struggle, fatigue. Haven’t you wished you had someone to share your journey with, to vent or talk to? Well, your wish is now going to be fulfilled!
Mar 26, 2020
I feel I now face an extremely complex social situation, realizing that as humans, we have let part of our humanity go through the grind of daily life.
Mar 26, 2020
Researchers from the Tokyo University of Science led by Dr Tohru Higuchi, in their new study, explore how the efficiency of solid oxide fuel cells can be increased by lowering their operating temperature and could be an alternative to nuclear and thermal power generation in the future.
Mar 25, 2020
A recent study shows that the Publons database hosts over 6000 peer reviews for over 1000 predatory journals. Most of these reviews were listed by early career researchers who have few reviews and publications, and hail from nations in Africa and the Middle East.
Mar 20, 2020
One of the main concerns of female researchers who wish to begin their family is the uncertainty around continuing with their work. Let us take a closer look at the challenges and considerations female researchers deal with when they are pregnant or are planning to have a child.
Mar 19, 2020
March 6, 2020, 10:00 AM - March 7, 2020, 12:30 PM UTC 
March 26, 2020, 15:00 PM - March 26, 2020, 16:00 PM UTC 
University of California (UC) and Public Library of Science (PLOS) sign an open-access (OA) agreement to make it easier for the UC's researchers to publish in PLOS journals
Mar 13, 2020
China’s science and education ministries have released a new document aimed at improving the research landscape of the country.
Mar 5, 2020
Complex networks are ubiquitous in the real world, from artificial to purely natural ones, and they exhibit very similar geometric properties. Algorithms based on quantum mechanics perform well on such networks, but their relationship with the geometrical characteristics of networks has remained unclear until now. Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have now shed light on these relationships, opening up new possibilities for the use of complex networks in various fields.
Mar 3, 2020
I felt motivated to work on the project and could see the significant impact it could have on millions of osteoarthritis patients. I found this field quite interesting and really enjoyed the project despite the occasional experimental setbacks. However later on, I had an epiphany that completely changed my aspirations.
Mar 2, 2020
We asked four researchers how they dealt with life as an international/overseas researcher and asked them to talk about their relationship to self-care.
Mar 2, 2020
Whether working in a wet-lab or a dry-lab, scientists need to be aware about the risk of Repititive Strain Injury (RSI). Sabrina Pei Qin discusses the ways that researchers can avoid RSI and maintain healthy work habits.
Feb 28, 2020
I used to fall ill sometimes knowing that I was going to embark on an exploratory journey that required an immense understanding of data, but I would get better the minute I would work. It was as if accomplishing something in the field was the antidote to my illness.
Feb 28, 2020
The existing method for adding metals to organic materials is dangerous and laborious. Scientists from Korea have now developed a new method that is simple, safe, and cost-effective.
Feb 27, 2020
Scientific laboratories expose researchers to a potentially hazardous environment. Along with safety measures undertaken by laboratories, individual researchers also have the responsibility to abide by the rules to foster a culture of safety and caution at the laboratory.
Feb 27, 2020
Scientific writing requires the use of many symbols. It is important to understand the standard style conventions associated with using symbols to avoid misinterpretation and convey the intended meaning clearly. This article highlights some common errors in the usage of symbols and explains some style conventions that you need to follow when using symbols.
Feb 24, 2020
You’ve already heard from your peers that publishing in top journals is hard, given that their acceptance rate is currently under 10%. What can you do to increase your paper’s chances of success “yes”?
Feb 21, 2020
Many preprint servers are struggling to survive due to financial constraints, and some might have to close down soon. This is an aftermath of a move by the platform that hosts preprint repositories to make their services chargeable.
Feb 20, 2020
If you’ve not practiced self-care from an early age, you may find it difficult to practice. After all, it is more than just a checklist with boxes to be ticked off. Here are some apps that’ll help you take care of yourself and manage your mental health better.
Feb 19, 2020
My wait to get into a PhD program was around four years long – not surprisingly, though, my personal life couldn’t wait.
Feb 19, 2020
The 2019 novel coronavirus (CoV) causes fatal pneumonia that has claimed over 1300 lives, with more than 52000 confirmed cases of infection by February 13, 2020, all in the span of just over a month. But, what is this virus? Where did it come from? Scientists from top research institutes in China teamed up to answer these questions, and this pioneering study has been published in Chinese Medical Journal.
Feb 18, 2020
I was not prepared for what my interactions with them unveiled. I found that the desire to learn, explore, and ponder the mysteries of life could not have been stronger atop the highest mountain.
Feb 18, 2020
Conversion of energy is a constant process but measuring the efficiency of this conversion is not an easy task. Quantifying the heat emission of the object that absorbs energy has been proven to be a good indicator. Scientists have now devised a technique that can perform this measurement easily and accurately, and this novel technology can shed light on the energy transfer processes in systems ranging from plants to solar cells.
Feb 17, 2020
Choosing the correct research methodology can determine the success and overall quality of your report. It is hence essential to get the initial stage of your research right. In this article, we discuss the research methodologies in detail and help you identify which method should you choose for your study.
Feb 17, 2020
Self-care is a rather broad concept and if you’ve never consciously focused on yourself, it might be difficult for you to know how to practice it. Did you know that there are several types of self-care? Let’s understand what these are and how to practice them.
Feb 16, 2020
We may get so accustomed to the presence of stress, anxiety, and self-doubt that some subtle, yet telling, changes in our thought patterns and daily routines may go unnoticed. However, some common early signs or indicators of mental health problems can help you reflect on your mental health. Let’s have a look at them.
Feb 12, 2020
Elsevier has removed one of the world's most highly cited researchers from its editorial board after investigations revealed he was engaging in editorial malpractices
Feb 12, 2020
Due to the state of employment in Greece, I was supposed to feel lucky if I ever landed any kind of job. While working though, I managed to participate in four conferences as a speaker, which is not too shabby for someone who kept hearing that "Classics don’t pay."
Feb 12, 2020
Who do you have the longest, actually a lifelong, relationship with? Yourself! This Valentine’s Day, we would like you to be your own valentine and take care of yourself, to feel more confident and energized along each turn of your research journey.
Feb 11, 2020
With a definitive shift towards open access in the academic publishing landscape, journals and publishers are providing more avenues for open access publishing. Mirror journals are one of the recent developments in this direction. This article explains the concept of mirror journals, outlines why the format emerged, and analyzes what these journals offer to authors and publishers.
Feb 7, 2020
The properties of the first few layers of water molecules in contact with the surface of materials are especially important in materials science. In a recent study led by Prof Takahiro Yamamoto of Tokyo University of Science, scientists employed statistical data analysis tools to reveal what happens to water molecules on top of graphene.
Feb 6, 2020
Over 85 publishers, scientific societies, and funders have signed a joint statement committing to make public the latest findings and data on coronavirus immediately. Read on to find out more.
Feb 6, 2020
In complex fluids like cell nuclei, cytoplasm, polymeric fluids, supercooled water, and ionic liquids, molecules do not move in the same way as they do in simple liquids like water at room temperature. In a new study, scientists at Chung-Ang University put forward a new theory to explain the movement of molecules in complex fluids.
Feb 6, 2020
The secret to a happy life is exploring something you love more than yourself and committing to it. In my journey of exploration of that “something,” I opened myself up to a plethora of opportunities that took my energy as well as time.
Feb 5, 2020
The six years of my PhD life were the best ones in my academic life, thanks to my PhD supervisor. I grew every day, not just as an academic but also as a person. What I learned from my own struggles resonate with these lines from the iconic film The Pursuit of Happyness...
Feb 4, 2020
February 27, 2020, 15:00 PM - February 27, 2020, 16:00 PM UTC 
Tumor associated macrophages are host macrophages recruited by the tumor, which promote tumor progression. A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science and other institutes have discovered that the protein FROUNT may be linked to TAM regulation. By inhibiting FROUNT using an anti-alcoholism drug disulfiram, it may be possible to disrupt tumor progression.
Feb 3, 2020
Lithium ion batteries find wide applications in everyday use objects, but the number of ions that can be stored in their graphite anodes is limited. Prof. Jun Kang from National Korea Maritime and Ocean University reveal a novel technique whereby silicon can be combined with carbon to counter this limitation.
Feb 2, 2020
Spintronic devices, which use electron spin to process data, are emerging at the forefront of semiconductor applications. Staying a step ahead, scientists from Korea recently developed a novel nanomaterial that shows uniform ferromagnetism even at room temperature. This material is expected to be applicable to future next-generation electronic devices.
Feb 2, 2020
Here is a short and quick roundup of what was on academics’ minds on Twitter this month.
Jan 31, 2020
If the idea of writing a research paper is making you anxious, this article is for you. Learn how you can make a dent in your writing project by creating the first draft of your article.
Jan 31, 2020
Over the past few years, mental health in academia has begun to receive more and more attention—a welcome development since mental health concerns among researchers had not been traditionally investigated although research has always been anecdotally known as a high-stress profession.
Jan 30, 2020
The PhD program is extremely long and the path is anxiety-ridden, often painful and frustrating, and can take a toll on you physically and emotionally. Therefore, it is important is to pace it well, so that you remain motivated, overcome the hurdles, and complete your PhD successfully while maintaining your health and sanity as best as you can.
Jan 29, 2020
Cactus Communications, a global scientific communications company, announced that it has acquired UNSILO, a Denmark-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) company that specializes in text analytics, linguistics, and data science.
Jan 28, 2020
As such the difficulties and variables in the project were tough to deal with; my supervisor’s behavior added unnecessary ambiguity and uncertainty to the situation, leaving me exhausted day after day.
Jan 24, 2020
Combinatorial optimization problems arise in everyday situations such as determining the shortest route that can be taken between multiple points. Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science have developed a new chip that uses special components to calculate the shortest distance between up to 22 cities in a very short time.
Jan 23, 2020
During your research journey, you are likely to go through phases when you feel unsure about how you’re doing or find it difficult to deal with specific situations. You are not alone! There are several others who have gone through similar phases. Wouldn’t it be great to hear from such researchers?
Jan 23, 2020
I was blessed to find a great guide... She was a strong source of support and guidance for me throughout, lifting my spirits when I was demotivated, sharing her experiences with me to help me learn better, and propelling me to achieve my desired goals.
Jan 23, 2020
This paper is a collaborative effort with a fantastic team of researchers looking at a dual function methyltransferase which can modify two different types of modification on tRNAs... but it took us 18 months to get our work to see the light.
Jan 22, 2020
We were expecting to observe fascinating never-before visualized evidence for protein folding, but a tragedy in my personal life changed everything.
Jan 22, 2020
Host cells infected with giant viruses behave in a unique manner. To gain deeper insight into the infection mechanism of giant viruses, scientists at Tokyo University of Science developed a specialized algorithm that can track the movement of host cells. This method could also be used to study any other type of cells, such as cancer cells, neurons, and immune cells, serving as an efficient tool in the field of cell biology.
Jan 21, 2020
Concerns about the scarcity of lithium and other materials necessary in the now-ubiquitous lithium-ion batteries have recently driven many researchers to look for alternatives, such as sodium and potassium. Prof Shinichi Komaba from Tokyo University of Science, Japan, and his team have worked for over a decade on this topic. In his latest review article, he extensively discusses his findings on the recent advances, promises, and limitations of potassium-ion batteries.
Jan 21, 2020
If you are managing a project for the first time and feel unprepared to face the challenges setting up a project requires, this article will provide five tips to create a roadmap for your research project success.
Jan 21, 2020
Before I started my research, words like humility, gratitude, and resilience had been just that – words. My PhD journey drew on unknown and uncharted depths of strengths—mine as well as others’
Jan 21, 2020
If you ever feel so depressed that you start questioning yourself and your place in academia, and worry about failure, these priceless positive nuggets will cheer you up. They will give you the courage to go on and achieve your dreams.
Jan 17, 2020
cOAlition S has initiated a pilot project wherein eight publishers have volunteered to share detailed information about their pricing. The main intent of this initiative is to bring transparency around publication costs, which will help libraries and funders to make informed decisions.
Jan 17, 2020
My research life began at the end of my junior year. I chose the laboratory I was going to work at because I heard the professor say, “If you join my laboratory, you can go to the Antarctic”. That did it for me – I decided to go for it!
Jan 17, 2020
The process of photosynthesis is well known but it is a complex phenomenon involving a myriad of proteins. The molecule Chl f, a new type of chlorophyll, is known to play a part in photosynthesis but its location and functions are not understood. Scientists from Japan have now analyzed in detail the protein complex involved in photosynthesis and uncovered several new aspects about Chl f.
Jan 15, 2020
My professional and research journeys that have spanned over 23 years have been atypical. How so? I went from being an engineer to a professor and then acquiring a PhD – yes, it was the other way around!
Jan 15, 2020
Habits to help you be highly productive in your researcher journey
Jan 14, 2020
February 5, 2020, 14:00 PM - February 5, 2020, 15:00 PM UTC 
January 22, 2020, 13:00 PM - January 22, 2020, 14:00 PM UTC 
The literature review is an essential part of an article. Without a strong analysis of prior literature, there can be no certainty that an article addresses important principles. This article presents a journal editor's views on how to present a systematic and transparent review of previous literature in your article.
Jan 9, 2020
In response to environmental changes and nutrient starvation, cells undergo extreme alterations including switching from one type to another and changes in metabolic pathways. In a new study, a research team from Tokyo University of Science showed for the first time how rice blast fungus uses its own cell wall to survive in response to certain stimuli.
Jan 8, 2020
As part of efforts to promote discussions around mental health in academia, Editage Insights will host a free online talk by motivational speaker Prasha Sarwate Dutra.
Jan 7, 2020
As a PhD student, postdoc or lab leader, do you feel like your mental health may be suffering because of problems in the system? Do you think your lab could be managed more efficiently? Elliot Brown in this post shares his views on how mental health issues in academia can be managed effectively.
Jan 5, 2020
A court in south China’s Shenzhen city found He Jiankui and two others his research team guilty of illegally gene-editing human embryos. All the three researchers pleaded guilty to the charges. Read on to know more.
Dec 31, 2019
In 2019, we published several learning-based content pieces and answered the questions posted by you on the Q&A forum. We thought it would be interesting to share with you which of these were viewed the most by our readers across the globe. Read on to find out if you missed reading any of these.
Dec 30, 2019
Do you know what academics were talking about in 2019 on Twitter? Learn more about the most thought-provoking discussion around mental health, struggles in academia, kindness, alternative careers after PhD, and much more.
Dec 30, 2019
January 11, 2020, 13:00 PM - January 11, 2020, 14:00 PM UTC 
Environmental scientists are always in search of new tools that can better characterize the Earth’s surface. In a new study published in Scientific Reports, a group of researchers in the US and Japan reported that Himawari-8, a new-generation geostationary satellite, was able to acquire cloud-free observations and capture the seasonal changes of vegetation more accurately than before.
Dec 27, 2019
As the year 2019 is coming to a close, can you think of the events or news that caught your attention? While a lot has happened over the past year, we have tried to cover some of the most trending news pieces that sparked discussions and made waves in the scholarly communication and academic publishing world. So read on!
Dec 26, 2019
An in-depth look at the various personal attributes that make for successful researchers, including how renowned researchers down the years have personified these attributes
Dec 26, 2019
An in-depth look at several recent initiatives taken by various Indian stakeholders to improve the quality of research in the country
Dec 24, 2019
A recently discovered autoimmune disease is the IgG4-related disease that affects millions and has no known cure. Previous research indicates that T cells and the immunoglobulin IgG4 are key causative factors, but their mechanism of action has been unclear. Now, scientists from Tokyo University of Science have explored this pathway and brought to light new targets for therapy.
Dec 24, 2019
We conducted a free AMA session for researchers on the popular Chinese platform ScienceNet and set up a panel of three researchers. This post introduces the panelists and shares some of the issues that were shared by those who participated in this session.
Dec 19, 2019
Do you want to know how to make your communication catchy and engaging? Here are seven tips to help you.
Dec 19, 2019
Mistakes in representing numbers and units of measurement can leave scope for misinterpretation of your data. This article will help you understand the common mistakes in scientific representation that occur in physical science and engineering papers and how you can avoid them.
Dec 18, 2019
Make a self-care resolution for yourself to complete this final task of our six-week challenge for researchers.
Dec 17, 2019
A group of 43 leading publishers and scholars from 10 countries met in Canada to define predatory publishers and journals. Read on to know more about the definition and characteristics of predatory journals.
Dec 13, 2019
A team of researchers at Chung-Ang University, Korea, has developed a new type of technology for converting static electricity into electrical energy. This technology offers several advantages over existing ones, in addition to being energy-efficient and environment-friendly, creating hope for a more sustainable society.
Dec 10, 2019
This week’s challenge will help you think about all your achievements in the year and pick something that stands out.
Dec 10, 2019
Denoising is a crucial process in devices that produce images, like smartphones and digital cameras. A team of scientists at Dongguk University proposed an upgraded method to remove noise from images, which was ranked first place in a prestigious real-world image denoising challenge.
Dec 9, 2019
When I look back at my life, given the struggles I had to endure, I feel that getting a PhD degree was not my biggest achievement. My biggest achievement was that I never gave up even when it seemed hopeless.
Dec 9, 2019
The students of the program found out that due to some administrative restrictions, they would not be able to travel to Greece…all students, except one – me! I was somehow lucky enough to not suffer my classmates’ fate and could travel to Greece for the conference.
Dec 9, 2019
Elsevier has signed new agreements with the Bibsam consortium and a U.S. university. Read on to find out more details.
Dec 6, 2019
To be a successful researcher, it is imperative that you make optimum use of the time available to you. Effective time-management not only helps avoid the last-minute stress and delays but will also ensure that your research journey is smoother and happier. This article is a compilation of wisdom shared by researchers about time management strategies that have helped them improve their efficiency.
Dec 5, 2019
Writing grant proposals can be a difficult process, involving significant amounts of time, resources, and energy until the proposal is successfully submitted. This article provides insights into the ten things you should do to ensure success.
Dec 5, 2019
The brain's reward pathway causes feelings of happiness but is also involved in behavioral disorders like schizophrenia and addiction. A breakthrough study has now identified the role of a protein called Npas4, opening doors to potential therapies for associated disorders.
Dec 4, 2019
Supercapacitors store much less energy than is ideal. To remedy this, a group of scientists from Japan propose using conductive nanodiamond as electrode material in applications that require rapid charging and discharging to occur multiple times over long durations.
Dec 4, 2019
It’s time for the fourth task in our six-week challenge. Gear up to explain your work to someone outside your academic or research circle!
Dec 3, 2019
If your personal and professional goals are not in sync, it can lead to a sense of discontent. Left unaddressed, these feelings can become the cause of mental and physical health issues. We are likely to experience feelings of happiness and contentment when we feel that we are directing all our efforts to move in the direction we have set out for ourselves. So let’s look at some ways in which we can manage our personal and professional lives better.
Dec 2, 2019
We're bringing you a quick roundup of some interesting conversations among academics on Twitter.
Nov 29, 2019
At that point, I thought that it was the plateau of my career in terms of the academic profession… but I was wrong.
Nov 29, 2019
In 1989, when I was 21 years old, I decided to make a serious change in my life. I moved to America and joined the army to become a soldier
Nov 28, 2019
Vincent Vanhoucke, Principal Scientist at Google tells you what they don't teach you in graduate school.
Nov 28, 2019
Cao Xuetao, a senior researcher in China and president of Nankai University in Tianjin, is facing allegations of image manipulation in several papers he has authored.
Nov 28, 2019
I became curious about what kept researchers motivated on their journey. So I reached out to a few of them, looking for answers to a couple of simple questions: What motivated them to pursue research? What do they love most about being researchers?
Nov 27, 2019
In this post I will take you through a simple process to find and access online channels that you can use to build an audience to which you can promote your research.
Nov 27, 2019
Inaccurate usage of scientific and technical terms can give out the impression that you do not have in-depth knowledge of the subject. Naturally, peer reviewers are less tolerant of basic errors in terminology than of minor language errors. This article points out some common errors in the usage of technical terms in the physical sciences.
Nov 27, 2019
That journey of completing my thesis really taught me a lot. Looking back at that time, I realize I had a belief in my mind that I should not give up, that I needed to reach my destination.
Nov 26, 2019
You’re going to LOVE the task this week! Why so? Because I’m asking you to do something that you may badly be in need of as a researcher and perhaps really want to do.
Nov 26, 2019
In a breakthrough study, a group of scientists in Japan showed unique magnetic transitions in structures similar to quasicrystals. This is a huge achievement in the field of materials science as it opens doors to advancements in quasicrystal research and various potential applications.
Nov 26, 2019
November 13, 2019, 04:00 AM - November 13, 2019, 12:30 PM UTC 
It was a very difficult stage in my life. I had to manage my studies along with my parenting responsibilities. I felt I was drowning, and needed someone to save me.
Nov 22, 2019
Does journalistic writing prove advantageous to me as a researcher, or does it muddle my research manuscript by turning it into a journalistic article rather than an academic paper? How do these two intersect in the professional roles I play?
Nov 21, 2019
This article centers on the provisional application for patent.
Nov 20, 2019
Abbreviations are commonly used in research manuscripts as they can help make highly complex technical writing more concise and easier to read. However, they can also cause a lot of confusion, and make communication unclear if they are not used with caution. This article takes a look at some of the common errors that researchers make in the usage of abbreviations and explains how to avoid them.
Nov 20, 2019
Using the optical properties of a material to manipulate light signals is called light modulation, a method widely used in optical communication. In a groundbreaking study, a group of scientists at the Tokyo University of Science has come up with a novel method of modulating light, using water as a medium. This method is inexpensive and more efficient than existing ones, paving the way for new, improved optical devices.
Nov 20, 2019
So am I an early-career researcher, or a mid-career researcher? Right now, I’m not sure that I’m either. I think I’m in a weird transition space between the two. Growing out of the early years, but not yet quite accepting of the mid-career label.
Nov 19, 2019
Here’s the second task of our six-week challenge and it’s focused on helping you stay motivated through the highs and lows of your research journey.
Nov 19, 2019
October 19, 2019, 01:00 AM - October 19, 2019, 03:00 AM UTC 
November 11, 2019, 04:30 AM - November 11, 2019, 11:30 AM UTC 
Editage, a leading science communications brand by Cactus Communications (CACTUS) has partnered with ReviewerCredits, a spinoff company endorsed by the University of Milano-Bicocca. Through this collaboration, Editage and ReviewerCredits will launch a service platform that will cover key areas such as reviewer education, English editing, manuscript formatting, and translation.
Nov 14, 2019
A new study discusses all the gains made by the US in its scientific collaborations with China in the five-year period of 2014-18.
Nov 14, 2019
A recent study by a group of scientists from Japan and Austria has revealed that a different mechanism is responsible for the formation and maintenance of the cell organelle called endosome that sorts and distributes substances entering a cell. Contrary to current knowledge in the field, the scientists show that the functioning of the Golgi is crucial for this organelle’s upkeep. This result can ultimately help improve treatments for some diseases.
Nov 14, 2019
Participate in our unique six-week challenge, follow the instructions to complete the task, and stand a chance to win cool prizes. Here’s your task for Week 1!
Nov 12, 2019
Editage Insights just completed six years as a global platform for researchers and publishing professionals. Here’re a bunch of things we’re doing to make our birthday special, and each of these has something interesting for you!
Nov 11, 2019
Scientists from Chung Ang University Korea and Stanford University School of Medicine show the effectiveness of a ‘serious’ mobile video game in improving the symptoms of Obssessive Compulsive Disorder.
Nov 8, 2019
Scientists from Chung Ang University, Korea, have achieved the large-scale production of non-toxic metal chalcogenide films for use in novel semiconductors of the future.
Nov 8, 2019
A report commissioned by the UK Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation lays out the direction and vision for UK research and innovation after Brexit.
Nov 7, 2019
The increasing number of devices connected over wireless networks is causing channels of information flow to be congested with heavy information traffic. In a new study, scientists from Tokyo University of Science and Keio University have applied a machine-learning technique that can enable these devices to adaptively choose freer channels for information flow.
Nov 7, 2019
Translated plagiarism occcurs when translated material from publications in a different language is used without citing the source. This form of plagiarism is difficult to detect, but once detected, can be penalized heavily. What happens when an author unknowingly commits this form of plagiarism? Read on to find out.
Nov 6, 2019
An infographic depicting the 2018-19 research performance of the G20 countries across several key parameters
Nov 6, 2019
November 21, 2019, 13:00 PM - November 21, 2019, 14:00 PM UTC 
November 14, 2019, 13:00 PM - November 14, 2019, 14:00 PM UTC 
The principal scientific advisor to the Indian government recently shared that the country would not adopt Plan S and would instead develop an open access framework that keeps Indian academia and its needs in mind.
Nov 1, 2019
Your Research. Your Life. Your Story. is a platform that features some really great and inspiring personal stories of researchers and academics. This is a forum on which you finally have a space to vent and open up about what you really go through.
Nov 1, 2019
Take a look at some of our most interesting picks from the month of October in academia.
Oct 31, 2019
The UK's largest funder, UKRI, has released a statement expressing its stance against bullying and harassment in research and academia.
Oct 28, 2019
In this article, Dr. Ben Britton - a Senior Lecturer and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow at Imperial College London - shares a few tips and tricks to try to make the peer review process as smooth as possible for you as an author.
Oct 24, 2019
A group of scientists from Japan has made an α-gel with a compound resembling a main component of the moisture-holding layer on our skin. The characteristics of this α-gel indicate that it will make possible environment-friendly and effective skincare products at low energy-costs.
Oct 23, 2019
This post presents the key results from the Grant Review in Focus report, a global survey by Publons on grant peer revieweing
Oct 21, 2019
A new study presenting a revolutionary robotic mobility-assistance suit was published in the journal Science this August showcasing a portable “exosuit” that can assist users during walking and running, providing significant energy savings in terms of metabolic activity.
Oct 21, 2019
A team of researchers from Chung-Ang University and their collaborators have revealed a critical role of sequence differences in ribosomes—the cell’s protein-production machinery—in regulating the ability of the opportunistic pathogen Vibrio vulnificus to respond to changes in the environment and cause infection. These findings indicate a new function for specialized ribosomes, which is related to the regulation of stress adaptation and virulence in bacteria.
Oct 16, 2019
Why are mental health problems elevated among graduate students? This post delves deep into understanding the reasons that lead to the excessive pressure and ways to support them.
Oct 10, 2019
Cactus Foundation has launched a global mental health survey for researchers
Oct 10, 2019
A look at this year's Nobel Prize winners in the sciences along with highlights of their distinguished achievements
Oct 9, 2019
Scientists uncover new genetic pathways leading to antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli, which can be targeted to remove that resistance
Oct 9, 2019
October 22, 2019, 14:00 PM - October 22, 2019, 15:00 PM UTC 
Doctors suggest that the “adaptive” motion of nickel-titanium rotary files used for root canal procedures decreases the instrument’s torque generation, thereby reducing the risk of tooth damage and file fracture
Oct 8, 2019
Posterior circulation strokes are difficult to diagnose because of the “normal” MRI scans as well as ambiguous symptoms, and a holistic approach can be adopted for better diagnosis.
Oct 7, 2019
The Research on Research Institute (RoRI) is a newly formed international consortium that will aim to provide insights to individuals, organizations, and governments on global research and research funding.
Oct 4, 2019
Have you struggled to understand whether you should apply for a patent and what it entails? This article explains the basics to help you expand your knowledge about patents.
Oct 4, 2019
Scientists from Pusan National University show that development of the concept of “fairness” among adolescents is related to structural changes in the brain
Oct 4, 2019
Eushearilide, known to be active against a wide range of pathogenic fungi and yeasts, has unexplored antibacterial properties. Now, scientists from the Tokyo University of Science have derived a new compound from eushearilide and demonstrated its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can be used to treat lung infections, meningitis, and encephalitis.
Oct 3, 2019
Have you ever wondered how pervasive this sentiment is within the global researcher community? Or how seriously the community wants problems with journal guidelines and systems addressed? If yes, this guest post in The Scholarly Kitchen will answer your questions.
Sep 30, 2019
This year, during Peer Review Week, both event hashtags – #PeerRevWk19 and #QualityInPeerReview – were flooded with interesting peer review-related posts in multiple formats. To ensure you didn’t miss anything, we’ve compiled a short list of tweets that were most engaged with and trended on one or both hashtags despite tough competition. We hope this gives you a snapshot of the most interesting conversations in the academic publishing industry during Peer Review Week 2019!
Sep 30, 2019
When I received my first peer review invitation, I could not believe it was real. I always thought that only experienced academics received such invitations. Although very excited and even frightened to some extent, I agreed. And this is how I became a peer reviewer - I was finally part of the reviewer community!
Sep 27, 2019
Cambridge University Press launches Experimental Results, a journal that will publish only results of experiments in various STM disciplines. The journal aims to improve reproducibility of experiment results and provide greater transparency to the peer review process.
Sep 26, 2019
I couldn’t have asked for a better first week of fieldwork. However, it sure has been a roller coaster of emotions. The landscape here is tough. And by tough I mean a four hour hike through forest, over mountains and through more forest, to get to one transect. However, it is beautiful – a rolling landscape of savanna, likely not what one expects when they think of Madagascar.
Sep 25, 2019
The theme of Peer Review Week 2019 was Quality in Peer Review. We reached out to a bunch of people to know what they thought about peer review. Here are some of the responses we received.
Sep 25, 2019
Active mutations of KIT tyrosine kinase are found in several cancers, but the different locations in the cells where KIT induces cancer-specific signaling remain unclear. Now, a group of Japanese scientists has aimed to answer this question using a newly synthesized compound that targets intracellular transport, which may offer an attractive strategy to combat cancer.
Sep 23, 2019
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has resolved to reduce and eventually eliminate the need and funding of animal-based research for testing the toxicity of chemicals.
Sep 20, 2019
Discussions about the different types or models or peer review are not uncommon in academic publishing. However, have you really ever wondered about the individual differences between peer reviewers? This light-hearted infographic profiles nine of the main types of reviewers out there.
Sep 20, 2019
Sense about Science's Peer Review Survey 2019 unveils interesting points and insights about the peer review system. It also lays down several action paths to make the system even more robust.
Sep 20, 2019
Your first peer review experience might have been smooth, or it might have been diastrous. Regardless, it is one that has stuck with you as you advance in your academic journey. Here, PhD student Anna Leigh Crofts shares her first experience with journal submission and peer review, and the things she learned in the process.
Sep 19, 2019
About six years ago, when I became a university lecturer in Nigeria, I was suddenly faced with a difficult situation. I was forced to “publish or perish” in international journals. It was at this time that I began to tango with peer review.
Sep 19, 2019
The peer review system is based on a mutual relationship. Sometimes there are glitches and broken links, and sometimes mutualisms turn into antagonisms. But is the whole concept of peer review flawed and unjust, just because some people don’t play nice? More importantly, can these issues simply be fixed by paying reviewers for the time spent reviewing?
Sep 19, 2019
The idea of bringing together preprints, authors, and editors on a single platform led to the concept of PubSURE. PubSURE is an integrated platform that is made of a marketplace (PubSURE Connect) and an automated manuscript assessment check (PubSURE Report).
Sep 19, 2019
I had a dream that bothered me. In this dream, I found out that the journal editor had rejected my paper based on an algorithm. It made me so irate that I woke up. Upon waking up, I asked myself whether this would work. Does it matter? Is machine learning already impacting our work? I decided that it 's time to write something down, before a computer beats me to it.
Sep 18, 2019
What merit do authors see in peer review? This opinion piece explores the attitudes and perceptions authors seem to have toward peer review and what value it adds to literature that gets published.
Sep 18, 2019
How can we open up the scientific dialogue and enable science to push us forward? Dr. Ben Britton, a Senior Lecturer at Imperial College in London, shares thoughts on how we can improve scientific publishing as a whole.
Sep 17, 2019
The life of an academic is surrounded by the process of peer review. But it is a tricky process in many ways and since I recently experienced it again, I wanted to reflect on why we do peer review and how each of us could perhaps structure feedback in ways that are constructive and has the potential to increase the quality of work that is being assessed.
Sep 17, 2019
When calculating the electrokinetic force, the convention has been to assume that there is no relative velocity of the fluid compared to the surface, which holds true for hydrophilic surfaces. However, it needs to be reconsidered for hydrophobic surfaces. Prof Hiroyuki Ohshima from Tokyo University of Science has conducted theoretical research on electrokinetic phenomena in colloidal particles for 50 years. Now, he has summarized some of the major findings in his field in a compelling review article.
Sep 17, 2019
As journal submission volumes continue to rise every year, the number of review requests going out to peer reviewers is also increasing. While accepting peer review requests can boost a researcher’s reputation and career progress, it is important to understand that turning down a request at times may be a better decision. This infographic presents a few situations in which you should consider declining a review request or at least inform the editor about it and then take a call.
Sep 17, 2019
After my first year as an academic editor at PLOS One, I’ve learned a lot about the peer review process, including what happens to my own papers when I submit them for review, and why sometimes it takes longer than you expect to get reviews back. Here, I'd like to share some of the lessons I learned with you.
Sep 16, 2019
What do authors think about peer review? Do they think it's working? What changes do they want to see in peer review? And how can peer review quality be improved? Read on to know more.
Sep 16, 2019
Some people don’t like reviewing. I don't understand this, because I happen to love it! And after 15 years of reviewing, I have learned that there are a few things which I think might make people actually enjoy it, and would make me want to do even more of it. Here’s my wishlist for academic peer review.
Sep 16, 2019
The 2019 Lasker Awards were announced recently. This year's awards recognize contributions in the fields of cellular immunology, women's oncology, and childhood immunization.
Sep 13, 2019
Elsevier is investigating potential cases of coercive citation in papers reviewed by a section of its academics.
Sep 12, 2019
Organic semiconductors have advantages over inorganic semiconductors in several areas. However, there are only a few known organic n-type semiconductors, and even they have certain drawbacks such as instability and insolubility in organic solvents. Now, scientists from Japan report on the production of a novel organic substance with potential applications as an n-type semiconductor.
Sep 11, 2019
Are you excited for Peer Review Week 2019? We definitely are! Editage is part of the organizing committee of Peer Review Week 2019, and we’ve planned several interesting activities all through the week. Read on to know what we have in store for you.
Sep 10, 2019
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it will be supporting Plan S, an initiative to make research publications fully open access (OA).
Sep 6, 2019
As a grad student with an invisible chronic illness, I have both the luxury and the misfortune of being able to blend in with everyone else. I go to the same classes. I sit in the same seats. I muddle through the same research. But behind the scenes, I fight silent battles that no one else knows about.
Sep 6, 2019
Cactus Communications launches PubSURE - the world's first marketplace allowing manuscript and journal selection on one platform.
Sep 5, 2019
We are at the end of an exciting month marked by interesting and thought-provoking discussions in academia. If you were unable to keep a tab on the goings-on in scholarly communication and academic publishing world, we have you covered! In this post, we have curated some of the articles that got us thinking and conversing. We hope you enjoy reading!
Aug 30, 2019
German consortium Project DEAL has struck the world's largest open access agreement with Springer Nature, which marks an increasing push toward open access by researchers, readers, and publishers alike.
Aug 29, 2019
September 20, 2019, 12:00 PM - September 20, 2019, 13:00 PM UTC 
The aggregation of amyloid protein fibrils is involved in diseases such as amyloidosis and even Alzheimer’s. A group of Japanese scientists has explored the use of free-electron laser to break down these aggregates. This technique could be used for treatment of diseases that involve amyloid protein aggregation.
Aug 27, 2019
September 17, 2019, 14:00 PM - September 17, 2019, 15:00 PM UTC 
Brazil's main science-funding agency announces that it will discontinue scholarships after September, putting the futures of about 80,000 researchers at risk.
Aug 23, 2019
Breakthrough research by researchers in Japan has helped them reposition papaverine as a novel drug to treat inflammation that is implicated in sepsis and even cancer
Aug 22, 2019
August 28, 2019, 11:00 AM - August 28, 2019, 12:30 PM UTC 
The Editage Global Survey Report 2018 presented the views of authors worldwide on different aspects of academic publishing, including their level of awareness of issues related to publication ethics. This infographic specifically presents the responses from China. Read on to know how these differed from the overall global responses on issues related to publication ethics.
Aug 12, 2019
Public trust in science has grown recently among the US citizens reveals a recent survey. The findings also throw light on the people’s perception on various aspects of science.
Aug 10, 2019
June 1, 2019, 10:00 AM - June 1, 2019, 12:00 PM UTC Academics, especially early career researchers and PhD-holders, are now finding a new way to offer their services as freelancers or consultants to industries that require their skill-set. Learn why a growing number of academics are turning to freelance careers.
Aug 5, 2019
August 21, 2019, 14:00 PM - August 21, 2019, 15:00 PM UTC 
I always had a hard time saying NO. Every time I did, it felt like a missed opportunity. I wish I had infinite time and say yes to all the cool opportunities I get. But my time is definitely limited. So, I've found a way to perceive all my “NOs” as accomplishments.
Aug 5, 2019
Epigenetic regulation—modification of gene expression from the “outside”—is an important part of the overall genetic processes within a cell. A group of scientists from Tokyo University of Science now reveal a novel epigenetic regulation mechanism that is involved in DNA damage repair in plants, thereby suggesting a possibility of reinforcing global food security.
Aug 1, 2019
There is a unique story behind every researcher’s life. And we want to give your story the visibility it truly deserves! Don’t miss this chance to be part of an open, safe, and supportive community of researchers from around the globe. Share your story today!
Aug 1, 2019
A new research integrity committee will monitor misconduct investigations conducted by UK universities. The committee will work under United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) and start operating early in summer 2020.
Aug 1, 2019
Understand what China's Belt and Road Initiative is and how science is an important aspect of the plans.
Jul 31, 2019
It’s that time of the month again when we bring to you some of the most happening discussions from the scholarly publishing world.
Jul 31, 2019
A Russian website offering authorship in accepted research papers for a price is being probed for malpractice. Read on to know the reaction of the industry to this development.
Jul 28, 2019
Springer Nature and ResearchGate have rolled out the second phase of their open access pilot. Four times more Springer Nature articles will be uploaded on authors’ ResearchGate profiles under the extension.
Jul 25, 2019
July 8, 2019, 10:30 AM - July 8, 2019, 12:30 PM UTC 
University of California recently lost access to the latest articles in Elsevier journals. Researchers affiliated with the university have been asked to rely on alternate sources to access Elsevier’s articles.
Jul 18, 2019
In a new study, Professor Hideo Noda of the School of Management at the Tokyo University of Science examined data from 34 OECD countries and appraised the effects of factors on the life satisfaction of both women and men in an effort to close some of the gaps in the existing research on the topic.
Jul 17, 2019
Are you confused between some elements of a research paper? Do you often mistake one for another? This article lists some of the most commonly confused elements of a research paper and the differences that set them apart.
Jul 17, 2019
What if your research data is stolen or lost in a lab fire? How can you ensure that your data is safe from the clutches of such threats? This infographic lists 10 must-know data management tips for researchers.
Jul 15, 2019
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is the first European university, and the second university worldwide, to adopt a research code to counter 'ethics dumping.'
Jul 15, 2019
A new law will allow Hungary’s government to take over charge of 15 institutions previously overseen by the Academy of Sciences, the most prestigious academic society in the country. Academics took to the streets of Budapest to protest the government’s move which they see as an “attack on academic freedom.”
Jul 10, 2019
I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression and specific learning difficulties at the age of 32. In retrospect, it’s been something that I have really struggled with all my life, even if I didn’t understand at the time. Here, I’d like to share a reflection of how depression has affected my life and continues to do so.
Jul 8, 2019
When I am feeling my most discouraged and whipped by this PhD I tend to start listing mentally, everything that has happened in my life over the past 2.5 years that have made it impossible for me to “properly” get this thing done. Here, I'd like to share how I managed to keep my sanity while doing my PhD.
Jul 8, 2019
Arriving in the remote Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard was like crossing a threshold into my childhood dreams. The many books on polar exploration I devoured as a child suddenly crystallised into reality as we touched down onto a land with more polar bears than people. I was in for one of the best fieldwork trips of my life! I just didn’t know it yet.
Jul 8, 2019
I am currently in the writing phase of my PhD and have been working hard towards completing my thesis. Here, I have compiled an actual to-do list, based on how I spend an average day, along with a couple of variations and exceptions.
Jul 8, 2019
As I was getting closer to completing my PhD, I imagined my final blog post to be filled with pictures of champagne-flowing glasses, lots of laughing and giggling, and some amazing photos of my graduation. I imagined my words to be filled with excitement, anticipating what lay ahead for me as Dr. Emma Burnett. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.
Jul 8, 2019
Being a medievalist, I realized that there was no way I was getting into a doctoral program without learning Latin. So, I started looking into Master’s programs, and was very distressed by what I found. There were very few stand-alone History MA programs out there limiting the number and quality of programs I could apply to. Sounds a little grim, right? It got grimmer.
Jul 8, 2019
When my daughter was born, I was in the middle of teaching a third-year course online. I could have gone on maternity leave, but the union rules for sessional lecturers at my institution were such that anyone who filled in for me would be deemed qualified to teach it in the future, or maybe even replace me. So I couldn’t just go on leave and had to come up with an alternate plan.
Jul 8, 2019
Academic publishing company Springer Nature has signed two new open access deals with the Swedish and the Norwegian consortia. The publisher has now signed a total of 10 read-and-publish deals with consortia of various nations.
Jul 5, 2019
The UGC, India's higher education regulatory and funding agency, has recently removed hundreds of bogus journals from its white list, as a part of its ongoing efforts to deal with predatory publishing.
Jul 5, 2019
Thousands of copyrighted articles are still being uploaded on ResearchGate, reveals a recent report by the Coalition for Responsible Sharing. Free-to-read articles on ResearchGate are weakening publishers’ negotiation power while striking deals with institutions, says the chair of the coalition.
Jul 1, 2019
It’s now three days after my viva and I’ve almost managed to mentally process the outcome. I passed, with no corrections! Here, I'd like to share how I spent the hours leading up to the viva and my actual experience of defending my thesis.
Jun 28, 2019
This post explains what lay summaries are, the purpose they serve, the stages in your career when you may need to write them, and how they can help make your research more visible and impactful.
Jun 28, 2019
I have been unsurprisingly a little under the weather quite recently, and this has been brought on by working too hard! After three hectic months of working and being busy, I finally had to stop. I knew I needed to rest not only because I could not focus on what I was doing, but also because I was feeling very run down and tired. So I took a break. And that's where it all started!
Jun 28, 2019
When I returned from my internship at the Scottish government, my main task was to complete the three findings chapters of my thesis. I drafted these in a decent time, and finally gave my supervisors a draft. I hoped that I would get some good feedback, be able to edit the chapters, and then that would be it. Oh how wrong I was!
Jun 28, 2019
Read on to know more about the hot topics and goings-on of the scholarly communication universe this month!
Jun 28, 2019
At the beginning of 2014, I realised I had chronic fatigue. I was eventually referred to a psychologist specialising in fatigue, who suggested that I resume working on my thesis, but only for one hour a week. I found this somewhat difficult, and looking back I realized I was dealing with extreme versions of the two fears most PhD students face at some point.
Jun 28, 2019
After 10 months of tingly arms and legs, a bout of optic neuritis, unexplained tiredness and brain fogs, as well as doubting my own sanity—I was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Even though this was not entirely unexpected, it was still a shock. For a month or so, I was in a haze of information, feelings, uncertainties, insecurities, and strength. I was one big mess on the inside but seemed very functional day-to-day.
Jun 28, 2019
Last year, I felt like I’d just won the lottery - if winning the lottery involved seven years of graduate study and three cycles of churning out 100-page job applications by the dozen. This year, however, I feel like a magical unicorn when it comes to academic job hunting.
Jun 28, 2019
We have made great strides in combatting homophobia and transphobia, but some people now think that everything must be fine. And if everything’s fine, then why are LGBTQ+ people still talking about homophobia and transphobia? The truth is, everything’s not fine. Thanks to everyone who has worked on making #LGBTSTEMDay happen! Here, I’d like to talk about why #LGBTSTEMDay matters to me, and what we can do to support LGBTQ+ people in STEM and STEM-adjacent fields.
Jun 28, 2019
Sometimes, as a PhD student, I feel that I am on my own little island. But, I’ve been very fortunate to be in a position that not many new PhD students get to be in i.e. I am part of a cohort - there are others on my island, and we're all in this together!
Jun 28, 2019
Ever wondered what graduate students keep at their desk? Here, a PhD student will attempt to share with you the 17 most essential things he keeps at all times, at his desk.
Jun 28, 2019
This year was especially hard for me, because it was my first International Women’s Day since I left physics. The hashtag #PassOnMyWisdom has been bouncing around Twitter, making me wonder what wisdom I could pass on. While being 23 is something of an obstacle to passing on wisdom, moving out of physics isn’t. Here are some of the things I’ve learned.
Jun 28, 2019
Peer Review Week 2019 will be celebrated from September 16 to 20, and this year the theme is “Quality in Peer Review.” Join us in being a part of this exciting global event!
Jun 27, 2019
Last week I submitted my thesis. No hoopla. No fanfare. No round of applause. It was merely a matter of printing four copies, getting them bound, then dropping them off at the reception desk of a university office building. Quite an anti-climax really. And I have no idea what comes next.
Jun 27, 2019
I am an American living in Japan, where I teach English to freshman high school students. But it was not always this way; I used to be a geologist. But clearly, all that is in the past now since I ended my ugly, long drawn relationship with science and academia.
Jun 26, 2019
My transition to graduate school had been rough, both socially and emotionally. I was lonely and distracted. I tried my best to concentrate and study, to put my feelings of isolation and imbalance in a box, and to absorb as much information as possible - all to show myself that I was worthy of my Ivy League graduate school.
Jun 26, 2019
Over the last few years, I have wondered several times if my supervisors were ever graduate students at some point in their lives. It doesn’t really feel like it. So I decided to write a letter to my future self – who is probably a research supervisor – to remember what being a graduate student is like.
Jun 26, 2019
It was the week before Christmas when I had to deal with an academic bombshell. Well, I might be exaggerating a bit, but it surely had many hallmarks of a bombshell: unsuspecting normality, followed by a metaphorical BOOM, and then a flood of emotions and reactions came roaring in for the aftermath.
Jun 26, 2019
I have never done things small. Today, on the brink of turning 32, I am about to have my first baby. And also, today I finally got full IRB approval for my dissertation study, which means that this summer, as I am having Logan, I will also be writing the first two chapters of my paper.
Jun 26, 2019
In my second term at Cambridge, one of the trainers in the Researcher Development Programme asked me: “Do you think that you are not smart enough for Cambridge?” Sadly, my answer was yes, and thus began my struggle with the impostor phenomenon.
Jun 26, 2019
Last week, I had my PhD viva, and I passed! I remember that my emotions were jumbled up at the time, and it just felt very surreal. Now that some time has passed since the viva, the feeling is still surreal, but I’m in what I call a post-viva limbo.
Jun 26, 2019
The year 2017 was always going to be a pretty stressful year for me. It symbolised the culmination of four years of hard work, continuous mental angst with the imposter syndrome, and the feeling of “why must I do a PhD?” Here, I’d like to share a couple of highlights of what actually happened through the year.
Jun 26, 2019
I have had a lifelong love affair with math and science. At the end of college, I had no ideas about what to do with my life. I finally found my way to a PhD program. I thought the PhD would give me purpose in life for the next couple of years. But the reality of academic science was different than I expected.
Jun 26, 2019
If you’ve ever taken a history class, you know that it entails a lot of reading. And last semester, when I wasn’t reading, I was writing. In those rare moments when I was doing neither, I was probably thinking about what I needed to read or write. So you can imagine what the final stretch of my semester looked like!
Jun 26, 2019
I’ve been doing my PhD for two months now. I’ve always had a curious personality and I enjoy learning. There’s something exciting about performing research first-hand and finding out things that no one else has discovered yet. And this is just one of the reasons I chose to embark on a 4-year research marathon.
Jun 26, 2019
Seven years ago, as a graduate with a Biology degree, I was at a career crossroads. Pursuing a doctoral degree was a very straightforward and tempting option. But I knew I needed to find out what I was passionate about! So I decided to explore my options and make an informed decision.
Jun 26, 2019
Being at the final stages of a PhD means that either you are about to go into the deep end or about to climb another hill. It is an uncharted territory because, after four years, the scaffolding that has been put in place by your supervisor comes off and you are on your own. I found myself in this position too, with no idea of what would come next.
Jun 26, 2019
It wasn’t too long ago that I finished my PhD. I vividly remember feeling elated that I had completed the journey, and also the feeling of relief that I am free from the long hours, constant thoughts about experiments and data, the worry about not making enough progress, and the ever-present imposter syndrome.
Jun 26, 2019
A few days ago, I attended a conference in Québec City. I don’t consider myself an expert at networking or making the most out of a conference but I really enjoy them. I have attended a few local, national, and international conferences; and I must say that the more I attend, the more I enjoy them!
Jun 26, 2019
Quitting academia comes with strong feelings of mourning for me. I am sad about all the cells I will never patch, and about missing the excitement of cutting slices and seeing gorgeous layers of neurons. I even mourn the ideas that I won’t get to turn into experiments, at least for now.
Jun 26, 2019
The 2019 Journal Citation Reports was released on 20 June, 2019. The report, which is a combination of impact and influence metrics along with data from Web of Science, is widely used for evaluating peer-reviewed publications. Read on to know the key highlights of this report.
Jun 25, 2019
This article discusses the value of open access to the general public and explores the impact of free access to scientific information and updates on laypersons and their understanding of science.
Jun 25, 2019
Looking forward to attending academic conferences this season? Here are 15 tips that will help you maximize your conference experience.
Jun 25, 2019
Human body communication (HBC) uses the human body to transmit power and data, very much like the internet. In a recent study published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and System, a group of Japanese researchers, led by Dr Dairoku Muramatsu of the Tokyo University of Science and Mr. Yoshifumi Nishida of the University of Tokyo, used an equivalent circuit model to examine how different parameters affect HBC transmission characteristics.
Jun 24, 2019
The third year of your PhD is weird. You’ve passed your qualifying exams, probably have a focus for your thesis, and the second half of grad school lies ahead, glittering with possibility. And yet, it feels like you only have a few years left to complete everything you want to do. This is somewhat how my third year of PhD life panned out.
Jun 24, 2019
“You have to do better than this if you want a career,” my professor warned. The words stung and burned into the darkest recesses of my mind, not because I was taken aback, but because I knew on some level that they were true. They were the doubts that nearly kept me from applying to grad school in the first place. Maybe I'd made a huge mistake after all!
Jun 24, 2019
July 10, 2019, 14:00 PM - July 10, 2019, 15:00 PM UTC 
I have spent the majority of my working life as a lecturer in a mid-ranking university, and I’ve been reasonably successful at my job. However, I didn’t particularly have a good time while doing my job. I’m still not sure why, but I think that pushing myself too hard sometimes was part of it, and not being sufficiently aware of what I was taking on in several situations also contributed.
Jun 20, 2019
To explain the connection between travelling and science, I’d like to remind you that scientists are in fact real live human beings, not cyborgs who survive only off fumes from the lab and never see the sunlight. Research teaches you a lot about being human. It’s not all lessons about learning how to fail or how to be better in your field specifically. It also helps to develop life skills!
Jun 20, 2019
I recently got the chance to work on a project in Dammam and it was a very rewarding experience. I was working alongside a few researchers from King Fahd University, a few employees from Saudi Wildlife Authority, and Dr. Jeff Miller, a “turtle expert.” Because there are so few publications on this topic, I had come across many of his papers and came to think of him as “famous” in my mind. It was very cool to learn from him!
Jun 20, 2019
To say that my boat ride to Small Gobal island in the Middle East was an adventure would be an understatement. Due to the high winds, the boat was uncomfortably vertical. The waves were so large that we had to hold onto a rope to avoid falling over. Lucky for the captain, I wasn’t an average tourist and was definitely up for an adventure!
Jun 20, 2019
Back in school, one Mr. Alan Bootle gave me a very important lesson on believing in myself, having confidence in my abilities, and believing that I am better than I think. This positivity has really stuck with me ever since and is a motto that I live by in everything I do, including PhD life.
Jun 20, 2019
When I was little, I told my mom I wanted a dead mouse collection. Although my mom was used to my strange ideas, she put her foot down saying dead mice weren’t the best thing to collect. Neither of us expected that years later I’d get my postdoc at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle studying mouse teeth.
Jun 20, 2019
Let’s face it, grad school is selfish! It’s all consuming. It is a giant monster that bursts into your life and suddenly begins to eat up everything you love as you try to strike back. And as your life gets devoured by this crazy, hellish thing, you realize that you’re the one who invited it into your home and that you have to protect yourself.
Jun 20, 2019
The typical lab meeting lasts one to two hours and occurs at 10 am on Fridays. We try to minimize the “pressure” of presenting at lab meetings by permitting small and optional presentations, instead of scheduling big talks every week. This also makes it easier for members to sometimes say “nothing this week.”
Jun 20, 2019
For outsiders, it might seem that I easily balance my two roles. After all I recovered from pneumonia, won a boat race, and am mostly on track with my academic work. But the truth is I feel as if I’m constantly behind schedule and barely keeping up appearances. So here, I’d like to share what this rather overcommitted schedule brings to my PhD life.
Jun 20, 2019
Before 2011, I had never thought that one day I would choose to do a PhD. But I did it! Although I have not suffered from ‘permanent head damage,’ I do consider it as a hard-to-describe experience. Here, I share with you some of my thoughts as I look back on my journey 2 years after my PhD viva.
Jun 20, 2019
Data gathering for my PhD is turning out to be a nightmare! Sure, my Master’s was tough. So tough that the year I got divorced doesn’t even compare to the one during which I wrote Master’s. But this time around it feels even tougher!
Jun 20, 2019
Sometimes, I feel like I’m living life as a Marvel character: scientist in the light, social entrepreneur in the shadows, struggling at both. But I cannot complain! During the day, I get to work with the brightest minds in the world; at night, I get to unite with the most passionate young change-makers to shape that world to be a fairer, healthier, and happier place.
Jun 20, 2019
I knew a PhD would be hard, and I knew that poor mental health was rife in the graduate community. This is probably why it took me so long to realize that I was experiencing something bigger and more serious than work-related stress.
Jun 20, 2019
Once the test was over, and the applications were in, I had all the time in the world to think about what was bothering me outside of work. And I realized that I was actually feeling broken – even with the possibility of my academic goals being met. I didn't understand how I could feel so broken and empty when things were externally working out for me.
Jun 20, 2019
Global survey throws light on people’s perception of science and healthcare. 54% of the respondents confirmed a medium level of trust in scientists, revealed the survey report. Notably, people in high-income countries who face financial hardships are three times more likely to doubt the benefits of science, teh survey reveals.
Jun 20, 2019
While most of my job involves sitting at a desk, I am fortunate that for three months a year I live in a tent, explore remote places, and dig fossil bones out of the earth. But, being a field-based female scientist, and balancing work with family has always been a juggle that has required a lot of creative solutions.
Jun 20, 2019
Authors are sometimes reluctant to discuss the flaws in their study, as they believe that this might jeopardize their chances of acceptance. However, hiding the limitations only draws more attention to them and gives the impression that the research process was not rigorous enough. This case study highlights the importance of presenting limitations and provides some tips on how to present limitations in a positive light.
Jun 19, 2019
130 papers by Indian research institute have been flagged on PubPeer for possible image manipulation. According to reports, a three-member committee will investigate the papers in which image manipulation has been suspected and suitable disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of misconduct.
Jun 18, 2019
A group of researchers from Japan has recently discovered a novel enzyme from a soil fungus. In their study, they speculate that this enzyme plays important roles in the soil ecosystem, and then describe its structure and action.
Jun 17, 2019
Undertaking a PhD is a long-haul and one of the key qualities you need is stamina. I’ve honed my stamina by running and long-distance walking. Each summer I’ve walked a long-distance path, and since the last walk happened to be right after I submitted my 80,000-word thesis, I view it as an extended metaphor of my PhD journey.
Jun 14, 2019
Taking a break from my PhD is something I don’t do often enough. Not because I can’t, but because I feel that I shouldn’t. This is something I am very bad at doing and when I do actually take a break, I end up feeling guilty, and then I don’t actually enjoy the break because I am too busy thinking about my PhD.
Jun 14, 2019
Hello world. I am still here. As in, still alive, still able to write, and still capable of posting on my blog. And I’m also still here. As in, still a PhD student, still writing, and still attempting to finish my degree.
Jun 14, 2019
My age insecurities, my natural shyness and tendency to use class time to its fullest has been working against me in terms of finding “my people.” I’m sure that I’ll find them eventually, but I must say it is hard feeling so out-of-place all the time.
Jun 14, 2019
This week is the culmination of almost 5 years hard graft, some very long days, long stretches without days off, and blood, sweat, and tears. It's graduation week! I was finally able to celebrate all the hard work and fantastic support I’ve received over the years, by dressing up in what I thought was the best graduation outfit in existence.
Jun 14, 2019
One of my papers has been recently rejected for the second time and this really affected me badly. Am I disappointed? Sad? Discouraged? Mad? I'm not really sure. The only thing I know is that waiting half a year, only to receive a rejection letter is not fair to any PhD student.
Jun 14, 2019
This post expresses my frustration; as right now, I feel pretty tired. And my research students form a significant area of my concerns. I am an associate supervisor who did not freely choose to supervise. Currently, I supervise three students, all of whom need significant help. This is not an ideal situation for anyone.
Jun 13, 2019
November and early December were a bit of a blur for me. I found myself socially, physically, and mentally withdrawing from anything that wasn’t getting my work done. Now that the big deadlines have passed, I’m tired. I keep looking at the remaining tasks thinking, “Can’t I just take a break?”
Jun 13, 2019
Ever wondered what a PhD student’s desk is composed of? Here, a graduate student will share with you the 16 most essential things that make up their desk.
Jun 13, 2019
While I certainly would call myself a procrasti-baker in the most obvious sense of the word – I am certainly guilty of spending my time baking to avoid the mounds of writing and researching I should be attending to – I realized today that it goes much deeper than that.
Jun 13, 2019
Following from Part 1, this time it’s all about the babies really. Over the past four years, our lab composition has seen four new ‘tiny’ additions – our lab members have had four babies, with another due in December! And while this is surely impressive in some ways, it has brought its own set of challenges.
Jun 13, 2019
I started in the Brown lab in 2006 and I still haven’t left. Most people currently in the lab were probably in primary school when I was doing my Honours. And you may think that this makes me old, but I prefer the term “experienced.”
Jun 13, 2019
I started my PhD program with lots of energy. I loved my topic, I felt that I was going to learn a lot, my workmates were warm and welcoming. In short, everything was great! But all of that is gone now. And I can’t help but notice how I’ve changed.
Jun 13, 2019
I’m writing today from a place of exhaustion, defeat, anxiety, and of stress over what’s to come. This semester has been rough. I’ve had some mental health issues acting up that I’m still trying to return to baseline, physical health issues that have cropped up, and the school work just does not stop!
Jun 13, 2019
This past summer was supposed to be my “push to the finish line” and “bring ‘er home” summer. I was originally supposed to submit my thesis on Friday, September 29 – but things got a little complicated and I needed an extension. Clearly, the universe had other plans for my summer.
Jun 13, 2019
And so the saying goes, as one door closes, another one opens. This is certainly true for me at the moment in academic research – albeit slightly different with a number of doors slightly ajar. And I couldn’t be more grateful!
Jun 13, 2019
In the South African township where I grew up, we have a special meal on Sundays called “Seven Colours.” It consists of a mishmash of foods and beautiful colors on your plate. In honor of this, I’d like to give you the seven colors of my PhD experience – a mishmash of experiences and revelations I have had in this journey of PhD so far.
Jun 13, 2019
I am more than familiar with the fears and doubting thoughts that flood your mind before applying for a graduate degree. Although these fears are not necessarily truths, it’s important to reflect on them once they surface. Here, I have put together 5 questions to consider before applying to grad school.
Jun 13, 2019
One of the hardest things about doing this PhD and all the travelling that comes with it, is the constant transition. I would say jet lag plays a huge part, but even more than that is getting used to the two vastly different lifestyles that I have to step in and out of, as I jet back and forth from the UK to home.
Jun 12, 2019
bioRxiv has launched a new preprint repository for medical research that will allow clinical scientists to share their research before it is peer reviewed. The platform will speed up the process of scientific discovery, say some researchers.
Jun 12, 2019
July 4, 2019, 11:00 AM - July 4, 2019, 12:00 PM UTC 
As my codes and latest findings continue to baffle me, I decided to write this blog post on finding my research interest. When people ask me what my PhD is on, I usually respond with, “So, I’m doing research on teacher education.” But how did I find myself on this path?
Jun 12, 2019
Some days are great. The sun shines brightly, I have an extra spring in my step, and the world is my figurative oyster. But, some days aren’t all that awesome. Yesterday was one of those days.
Jun 12, 2019
I almost made it all the way through college with barely touching coffee. Sure, I’d occasionally indulge in a white chocolate mocha to get me through finals week, but I generally didn’t need caffeine to keep my brain afloat. But all that changed during the second semester of my senior year when I enrolled in a Latin American history class.
Jun 12, 2019
The time has come! I am finally finished with the first year of my PhD. I am now entering a two-week break before I start work full-time for the rest of the summer. These two weeks off feel like a dream. However, if I’m being honest, I still have this one little thing hanging over me – the future!
Jun 12, 2019
Over four years ago, I came home from the hospital one evening, after a day that started with me thinking I was in labor. I wasn’t. Although I was exhausted, I decided to check my email before going to bed. And there it was: a long-awaited email from the EU with the results of whether I was going to get a Marie Curie fellowship to do my own research back in my home country.
Jun 12, 2019
I am a bit of a black sheep in the workplace. Since I am the only one with small kids, I cannot go out for drinks or go to nightclubs after work. And because of this, people do not understand me and don’t really want to talk to me.
Jun 12, 2019
This morning I realized I still feel envious of people in academia. So, I started writing about this feeling and whether it meant I had made the wrong decision by moving to industry. I wondered “if academia has brainwashed me into thinking that being successful in academia is the highest attainable goal in everyone’s life.”
Jun 12, 2019
It has been a whole week since I handed in my PhD thesis! This is a huge milestone for any PhD student and something to be celebrated, to be proud of, and embrace being done with writing. But it didn’t take me long to start feeling really weird…
Jun 12, 2019
A supervisor let me down spectacularly, and now I feel that my skill set is somewhat lacking. Although I fired this supervisor due to a host of reasons that have negatively impacted my work, this short-term solution barely gets to the root of the problem at hand.
Jun 12, 2019
Before I began my postgraduate journey, I thought that pursuing a PhD was all about getting equipped with the skills I needed to do a job or more specifically to be a scientist. Back then, I didn’t understand what a scientist really was. And I was in for a pleasant surprise!
Jun 12, 2019
As motivated as I was last Monday to “get back to the grind,” that sort of fell through. Turns out, sometimes willpower alone isn’t enough when it comes to trying to climb out of a mental health dip; you need time and support.
Jun 12, 2019
After finishing the first year of my PhD program, I spent all summer trying to reflect on what exactly happened. However, I wasn’t able to reflect on what I learned until I actually saw the changes in myself during the first week of my second year. Here, I would like to share with you 10 personal reflections from my first year as a PhD student.
Jun 11, 2019
Every now and then, I believe that it is good to look up from the absorbing minutiae of everyday life. And at some point, you may even be surprised to see that the track ahead is not as long as the track behind. I have also come to the realisation that this meandering track is what unfurls to eventually pass for an academic career.
Jun 11, 2019
I really do love what I do! Doing a PhD is amazing. It is hard work, long hours, and you never really switch off – forever thinking, planning, analyzing, dreaming of the project – which, yes, is exhausting, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Jun 11, 2019
During the summer of 2017, I conducted fieldwork in rural Punjab, Pakistan. I have always been conscious of the disadvantage through which people struggle, but as a researcher in the field, I have found my understanding of social matters changing from mere narratives on an intellectual level to a truly experiential understanding.
Jun 11, 2019
The British Journal of Anaesthesia published a research with two conclusions as part of an extraordinary peer review trial with a view to broaden the scope of reproducibility of results. Experts are invited to write an independent discussion of a research paper under this rare peer review trial.
Jun 11, 2019
When I meet another person pursuing their PhD, I am almost always tempted to ask them, “So, what brings you here?” This might actually interest me more than their research topic. I exaggerate, but it’s something I think about quite a lot. This interest in other people’s motivations might stem from my own preoccupation with why I am pursuing a PhD.
Jun 10, 2019
Some days I might be knee deep in a marsh, breathing in deeply the weird smell I’ve come to love, thanking my favorite deity, i.e. Mother Nature, that I don’t have a desk job. Other days, I might be extracting DNA to sequence and haplotype, thinking it is so cool that I know how to do something called “haplotyping.”
Jun 10, 2019
I have written and finally submitted the first draft. But reaching this milestone has meant working every day, for the last month or so at least. Which means I have not really had weekends or evenings to just chill out, and even when I have been chilling I have been unable to get my mind to stop running over data and possible conclusions. So, I am more tired than I have ever been.
Jun 10, 2019
I recently came across a blog post about dealing with going back to work after your maternity leave. It made me think about the one thing that I did when returning to work after my youngest was born. It worked great for both me and my husband and here’s why!
Jun 7, 2019
The other day, I had an encounter with an unfamiliar academic who has left a huge impression on me. Concerned with some public activity on their social media, I contacted them privately to voice my problems. Thankfully, they understood this approach and responded to my message calmly.
Jun 7, 2019
My first day at Homerton College brought back memories of my first day at secondary school. Although there were familiar faces, embarking on the MEd course was a huge milestone. And now that I am here, I’ve decided that I must the next few years count.
Jun 7, 2019
A few weeks ago, I realized that I had finally hit the upward swing of the independence curve, often associated with a doctoral student’s research journey. My supervisors loosely held the reins until I was ready to take them back. So, I was able to achieve this independence within 16 months of beginning my PhD. Keep reading to find out how!
Jun 7, 2019
I’m writing in the arid, breezy shade outside my £10-per-night hotel in northeastern Uganda. I’m trying to take a break from PhD life – not really. Being an ethnographer, every day and every moment can be a research moment. It’s possible to take a break, but not turn it off completely.
Jun 7, 2019
In the past, I’ve mentioned on several occasions that I feel like I haven’t achieved anything; or that I’m slacking, and so on. I have also quoted several people who have told me that feeling like this is normal. But in reality, this isn’t true. And it was only after I put together my PhD progress report that I started to think differently.
Jun 7, 2019
I’m in graduate school, and I often struggle with feeling like an impostor. When I get caught up in these low moments of being especially hard on myself and worrying that I’m not good enough, I try to take a moment to remind myself where I currently am, and also reflect on how exactly I made it to this position.
Jun 7, 2019
It took quite some time for me to get used to my role as a mother and then merge my scientist/professional-me with my mother-me. So, this made it kind of uncomfortable for me to bring my baby to work or to a conference. It felt really weird to be those two roles at the same time, and I felt forced to choose!
Jun 7, 2019
As Christmas approaches, I find myself wishing I were still at the beginning of November, when my whole lab travelled to Spain for a lab retreat under the sun. It was one of those grey November days in Stockholm and we were all very excited!
Jun 7, 2019
As of today, Mr. PhD and I have been in a relationship for an incredible 3.5 years! We persisted, and slowly but carefully pushed forward. And the hidden romantic in me wants to show off our achievement today. So here it is – a Valentine’s ode to my Mr. PhD.
Jun 7, 2019
Lately, my Master’s has started to feel more real than ever before. I am putting the teeny pieces together, and it’s like a gazillion-piece jigsaw puzzle! I’ve realized that I’ll be wasting time if I rush into it. So, to ensure that I don’t write rubbish, I follow a specific sequence that goes like this…
Jun 7, 2019
Plan S, an initiative by cOAlition S to make facilitate immediate and open access to scientific research, has been delayed by a year. cOAlition S announced that the deadline to implement the plan has been pushed to 2021 and that several changes to the guidelines have been made. Read on to find out more.
Jun 6, 2019
Launching into Honours, I had a few preconceived ideas of what it would be like. However, it was only until I started experiencing Honours first hand, that I realized I was mistaken. Here, I'd like to share some of the expectations I had and what my Honours experience has really been like!
Jun 5, 2019
On July 1, I entered a new phase in my academic career - I officially became an Associate Professor with tenure. Tenure at my institution occurs at an accelerated pace; you can go up for tenure just 4 years in. Although it’s pretty stressful to prepare to go up for tenure so rapidly, the decision is made quickly at my university.
Jun 5, 2019
I left academia a bit over a year ago and I now work as an R&D scientist in a company. Recently, my new PI asked me what people outside of academia do in a random work day. So I thought of writing this for not just my PI, but for others to know as well.
Jun 5, 2019
I'd like to start with a confession: I didn’t write the Most Awesome Thesis Ever Written, even though I wanted to. I got some things wrong in my thesis, and I didn’t really push myself as hard as I could have in the analysis of my data. While I am proud of what I achieved, I'm convinced that I took it a little too easy on myself.
Jun 5, 2019
Recently I found that the more data I’m collecting for my project, the more ‘wrong’ my hypothesis is looking. And when I say ‘wrong,’ I mean we were completely on the wrong path! But does this indicate the end of my project? Of course not!
Jun 5, 2019
The time during my fieldwork was both the best and the worst times of my academic journey. I also learned several lessons along the way. To rekindle my own passion for my work, here, I'd like to reflect back on what happened during my fieldwork, and everything that it taught me.
Jun 5, 2019
I finally finished the corrections to my final draft and got the thumbs up from my supervisor. Every postgrad student will agree - this is a really painful experience. I pray that I will someday be kinder to my own postgrad students because trust me when I say, "I understand that sting!"
Jun 5, 2019
I think that PhDs are funny things. You have a lot more time than you think, but also less time than you thought. It takes a long while to adjust to this concept, and to be honest, I think I’m still getting there.
Jun 5, 2019
When I started graduate school, the Director of Graduate Studies explained to me and my fellow first-years that the key determinant of PhD success is not brain power but “Sitzfleisch,” i.e., the ability to sit for incredibly long periods of time. And today, 3.5 years later, I have gotten pretty sick of sitting—and all the frustration that goes with it.
Jun 5, 2019
6 years is a long time. In 6 years, a newborn becomes a first grader; Jupiter travels halfway around the sun; World War II began and ended. And after 6 years, I am still a graduate student.
Jun 5, 2019
I’ve come to realize recently, that in the course of a 3 to 4 year PhD, perfection is out of the question. Not because I’m being pessimistic, but because I’m working on a project that is really still in its infancy, and trying to aim for perfection at this stage would be a fruitless task. How can we achieve perfection without first understanding?
Jun 4, 2019
Since I began my PhD program, my weekdays have remained pretty consistent: class, lab, and then time at home. But my days are often interrupted with hiccups that single out my experience from that of others in my cohort, and can leave me anxious, dysphoric, and needing to take breaks in a quiet place.
Jun 4, 2019
In June 2017, I travelled to Bulgaria and Romania to collect samples for my PhD. A month earlier, I drove almost 1300 km across both countries in search of a perfect field site. So I thought I knew what to expect and was fairly well equipped for this new adventure. As it turned out, there were a few things that took me by surprise….
Jun 4, 2019
From a very young age, I was always fascinated with science and I had a certain naiveté in life that allowed me to be incredibly optimistic. However, I soon realized that I had allowed my fear and worries to diminish my spirit. Did I really have what it takes to succeed at what I thought was my greatest passion?
Jun 4, 2019
This week was the last week of my clinical internship. And I was so sad to go. By some miracle, I was able to hold in my tears, until the next day anyway. I can’t believe I only have 30 days left until the end of school.
Jun 4, 2019
I didn’t choose to study cholesterol. I just can’t get excited about sterols and organic chemistry and metabolism. So what made me choose the “cholesterol and cancer” project for my Honours, and thereby join a cholesterol lab? Keep reading to find out!
Jun 4, 2019
Of all of my experiences, I have found that teaching in college was the hardest because of my age. I was 29 when I became an adjunct professor, but I did not look a day over 21. The looks I got when I walked into class on the first day, were enough to spook the faint-hearted.
Jun 4, 2019
As someone with a type A personality, I like to be prepared. This is evident if you have ever seen me with my backpack. If you need something, I likely will have it. Curious to find out what’s in a PhD student’s backpack? Well, then keep reading to find out.
Jun 4, 2019
It was fairly easy going back to the lab one day a week, knowing my husband was at home spending quality time with our daughter. It was a somewhat a larger leap to deposit her in daycare when I started my first “real” job after returning to work.
Jun 4, 2019
I’m a first year post-doc in the Brown lab, and first-time mum of a one-and-a-half-year-old, soon to be second-time mum. While it was relatively easy to pull off my wedding while undertaking a PhD, having children posed a considerably bigger challenge! Let me explain why…
Jun 4, 2019
I will not sugar coat it: I work in a refugee camp designed to be an open-air prison in the middle of a desert. This means working long hours and witnessing people treated in a way that shouldn’t be allowed after fleeing from horrors that shouldn’t exist.
Jun 4, 2019
Last week, I finished the final data collection for my PhD. It’s now occurred to me that I might be stressed about this. I could be stressed because I’ve never done qualitative data analysis for a project this big and this important on my own before. The bottom-line is that I’m worried!
Jun 4, 2019
This is for my friends, colleagues and students who are in ‘a world of thesis pain.’ As your supervisors, we do get it. Being a part-time PhD student and balancing multiple other responsibilities makes life really busy. So your PhD sometimes is the last thing in your to-do list!
Jun 4, 2019
Yesterday, I underwent my Viva Voce at the University of Leicester in the dark tower of the Attenborough Building. I felt like Childe Harold, or Frodo approaching Mount Doom, as I walked across the chilly park with my partner, Chantelle. I spent the final hour getting ‘into the zone’ and trying to stay calm. But that barely helped.
Jun 4, 2019
I started my PhD at King’s College in January 2016. At this point, I was so full of excitement and confidence, that I was certain I would breeze through my PhD. I knew it would be a challenge, but I really wasn’t prepared for the struggles to come.
Jun 3, 2019
Once, during an intensive two-week field gig, I had a miscarriage. It was not a dramatic one. Just an ordinary ending of a pregnancy in its early stages, the kind women all around the world have every single second. I’m writing about it to show that these things happen, even if people don’t usually talk about them.
Jun 3, 2019
Fieldwork is full of dichotomies. It can be exciting but exhausting, fun but frustrating, challenging and yet calming. Work in my last field site ended up being both the best and the worst times for me — you’ll see why.
Jun 3, 2019
The academic conference season is here! Buckle up to attend some great conferences happening out there. Why you ask? This infographic lists 8 reasons why you should be attending academic conferences.
May 31, 2019
In winter 2015, I broke out in hives. When I went to the university health center, they asked me about any lifestyle changes that could have triggered my full-on allergic reaction and I could only shake my head and smile faintly. Stress was the blatant cause of my hives!
May 31, 2019
Technical research publisher Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) banned Huawei-affiliated scientists from participating in its peer review process. While the ban was lifted shortly after, the incident sparked discussions about academic freedom and political interference.
May 31, 2019
Undertaking a PhD can feel sometimes like one of those impossible tasks set to unfortunate protagonists in fairy tales. You can never read every book, every article, or attend every lecture or every conference. You have to give it your best shot, of course, but it is an endless task.
May 31, 2019
The last couple of days have been especially trying for me. I have been suffering from anxiety in the workplace after working for two bosses that enjoyed seeing other people suffer and made everyone’s life, especially those with kids, miserable. The anxiety comes and goes, but something at work triggered it again and it was back with vengeance!
May 31, 2019
For as long as I can remember I’ve dreamed of being addressed as “doctor.” To be able to be reminded upon every introduction, email signature, and header, that I accomplished something tremendously challenging and worthwhile would be greatly affirming and rewarding! But there’s also another important reason behind this.
May 31, 2019
If I could distil 4.5 years of a PhD into a 4.5 minute song, it would be a tune I half-heard one morning at the gym. I hadn’t heard it before, and I was sufficiently intrigued by caught lyrics to hunt it down. But when I heard the whole song, there was a deep resonance – it went something like this!
May 31, 2019
Mentoring is something everyone has to do in academia and the truth of the matter is that not everyone is a good advisor. The supervisor-student relationship is a strange one. Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to have two great supervisors who truly have my back.
May 31, 2019
The past few months have been, well, predictable and unexciting. Transitioning from fieldwork — and a nine-to-five job — was, and still is, draining. Post-fieldwork struggles are rarely discussed in the academe, and yet, from conversations with others who have returned from fieldwork, I realize it is common. And I just want to speak openly about it.
May 30, 2019
Today marks one year since I touched down on Jordanian soil to begin PhD fieldwork. And it also happens to be my 25th birthday. And guess what? Both of these markers terrify me!
May 30, 2019
When we just met, I was so in love. I wanted to be with you, gather data and write papers for you. I wanted to “science” with you and spent many of my waking hours thinking about you. But then, when I was all disgruntled and unsure whether us being together was really what was best for me, I decided to leave you. I decided to join industry.
May 30, 2019
No, I don’t mean that PhD life and research are the spawn of evil and researchers are like Death Eaters using their skills to destroy the world as we know it. What I mean, is that doing a PhD is not certain – a PhD is an ever-changing and complex thing, where you need to be able to think on your feet to adapt and respond to the situations that arise.
May 30, 2019
I had the viva part of my Early Stage Assessment yesterday and I’m relieved to say that I passed. Everyone was telling me that no one fails and it’d be fine, that I’d breeze through it, but somehow that made things worse. It kind of escalated the pressure, because what if I was that bad that I didn’t “breeze through?”
May 30, 2019
In my 20s, I was a devoted student of art history who waffled between going to graduate school for art history or maybe going for something like nursing. To my dismay, my professor flat out told me that I was not cut out for a doctorate in art history. But I chose to instead follow the advice of a very wise woman.
May 30, 2019
One of the things I’ve found challenging in graduate school is the sheer number of things I need to know, and also, how much to know about each thing. My dilemma is: do I learn just enough to do what I have to do for my specific project, or should I spend more time making sure I completely understand everything?
May 30, 2019
I first stumbled across astronomy by reading Stephen Hawking’s ‘A Brief History of Time,’ and countless documentaries on the Discovery channel. I was fascinated by it all. But unanswered questions about the universe, like dark matter and how galaxies formed, are what really got me hooked!
May 30, 2019
Often when I’m speaking to young women in STEM, the subject of having kids comes up in conversation. And I take every one of these conversations as an opportunity to dismantle the myth that a tenure-track academic career is incompatible with having a family. I know because I speak from experience.
May 30, 2019
If you look at our nice and shiny research paper, with the blue PNAS logo on the side, slick figures, a list of references, etc., you’d rarely think about all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into putting together such a paper. But in reality, blood, sweat, and tears it was!
May 30, 2019
In the media, an academic simply doesn’t look like me. They don’t come from the background I came from. While, this may seem like an overgeneralization, sometimes I feel like I’ve won the ‘label jackpot’– one that makes me fall nowhere close to the stereotypical academic.
May 30, 2019
It’s been just over 2 months since you left my life. I have been filling up the time with holidays and family and more recently work again. Although I was relieved when I said goodbye to you, I miss you. But more than that, I think I miss the me I was when we were together.
May 30, 2019
It all started back in October at a big conference I attended. I felt out of place: like a fraud who didn’t belong. While I may have graduated college, received a Master’s degree, and worked as a research coordinator for the past 4 years, I still don’t feel like I belong to a group of “real” researchers and scientists.
May 30, 2019
Sometimes doing a PhD can feel like a form of madness when you are working and mothering small needy people full time. Why on earth would I take on such a huge time- and soul- and brain-consuming project when I already have several demands on my time, soul, and brain already?
May 30, 2019
The first time I applied to MD/PhD programs I got rejected. Completely. Not a single interview. It hurt – a lot. But I applied again the following year and ended up turning down interviews. So, what changed?
May 30, 2019
Here is our curated list of some of the most happening conversations that took place in academia to fill your appetite for the goings-on of the scholarly publishing world.
May 30, 2019
What comes to people’s minds when you say the word scientist? Chances are most people picture a middle-aged white man toiling away in a dark, mysterious laboratory. A socially awkward misfit who is rude and abrasive, often up to no good and has no moral compass. And this is precisely the stereotype that needs revoking!
May 29, 2019
Being pregnant and having a cold at the same time made it very obvious how little attention I used to pay to my health during graduate school. Like me, I understand that many other graduate students often neglect their health too. So I'd like to emphasize the importance of prioritizing yourself and your well-being.
May 29, 2019
The Shaw Prize Foundation based in Hong Kong announced the winners of the 2019 Shaw Prize on May 21. The prestigious award, widely regarded as the "Nobel of the East," honors scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, life sciences and medicine, and mathematical sciences.
May 29, 2019
Lately, I've been captured by the idea of putting the philosophy back into a PhD. I was doing data exploration for my work and just hit a wall. I could not move forward for the life of me. I was frustrated because with a funded PhD, things are time bound. But I decided to work on something else for a while and come back to the analysis later.
May 28, 2019
I always pictured a “career” as a series of steps leading up a mountain. The journey is sometimes tiring and tough, but there are exciting things to see and do along the way. You persevere, the view gets better and better, and some day, you reach the summit and all your hard work pays off. Instead, now I believe that a “career” is more like going to a supermarket.
May 28, 2019
Editage released a comprehensive report based on a global author survey capturing the views of over 7000 researchers on different aspects of scholarly publishing. In the survey, researchers were asked to provide comments on what they would like to change about the academic publishing system. An analysis of all comments received in response to this question has now been released in a report. Read on to know more.
May 28, 2019
As a PhD student who was constantly penalised in their high school years for ‘unclear writing’ and ‘needs structure,’ I understand the impact of good feedback, and desperately wanting to make the requested revisions. Sadly, not all of my teachers had the skills to help me.
May 28, 2019
When I was an undergraduate student, I looked at the PhD demonstrators as people who had the answers to everything. They had all the answers. I then applied for my own PhD and wondered whether PhD students actually had to be that smart because I’d managed to get one.
May 28, 2019
My supervisor is supportive and cares both about the project and me as a person, both pastorally and in terms of my development. She supports and encourages without patronising. So I know when I get a “let’s discuss,” response, it's a very nice way of saying, “this needs to be redone.”
May 28, 2019
Phew! I made it. Saturday marked the final set of tasks associated with Semester 1 of grad school. Having survived one semester, I know that I can survive the rest. And I think this is an ideal time to sit with a cup of tea and digest the past few months.
May 28, 2019
Early this morning, I made my way to a school for fieldwork. Only to reach there and wait at the school reception for slightly more than half an hour! I was already physically exhausted from the train ride and the walk to school, and the long wait triggered emotional exhaustion as well - something I wasn't prepared for.
May 28, 2019
Last weekend, my husband frowned and turned to me in the middle of watching ‘Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares’ one night. He wanted to ask a question: “Are you making progress in your PhD? I mean, it looks like you’re progressing awfully slow.” I wasn't fully prepared for this question.
May 28, 2019
I am ahead of schedule in terms of my interviews and transcribing. So my supervisor suggested that I use this time to plan how I'd like to organise my PhD thesis. I did just that, but somehow, I felt a sort of dread? Perhaps this is because I love this place so much. I am reluctant to think about the day when I need to leave.
May 28, 2019
When it comes to teaching, I want to be good. No, I want to be great! I want to inspire the same motivation in my students that I received from my own teachers. There's only one problem - I haven’t got a lot of experience in teaching.
May 28, 2019
My decision to leave academia was a combination of a very insecure future, the fierce competition of other postdocs, and the feeling that nobody seemed to want to invest in me. Then, as I was about to lose all hope, I saw an ad for an industry scientist job. I decided to apply and hoped for the best. It turned out to be a great decision!
May 27, 2019
I’m one of the few people who have been unfortunate enough to have to change my supervisory teams. This was partially because one of my supervisors left the university, but also because I required a better fit for my stakeholders. After this switch, I noticed several cultural and relationship differences between the new team and the previous one.
May 27, 2019
I have been working 8-10 hours every day this week, without procrastinating, and I still haven’t finished my literature review. I can totally see how people fail/miss deadlines/need extensions on their thesis. It is so easy to underestimate how much time it will actually take to complete a written task.
May 27, 2019
If I were to honestly describe how I feel most days presently, I would say that I’M overwhelmed, achy, exhausted, and feel as if my head is about to explode. At the end of each day, I just want to gulp a cup of herbal tea, and crawl into bed. They weren’t lying when they said doing a PhD is challenging.
May 27, 2019
As a young boy growing up in the Eastern Cape, pursuing a Master’s degree was never in any of my dreams. Actually, I was not even aware of anything related to a post-graduate degree. However, I was pretty sure that I wanted to work and help people, regardless of the career path I chose.
May 27, 2019
Starting a PhD is like reliving your first day of school; it’s exciting, but also very daunting. You find yourself trying so hard to fit in and impress your peers and seniors. But, you mostly feel lost, confused, and exceedingly anxious. And you have no choice but to dive in at the deep end.
May 27, 2019
I am incredibly lucky. Not only do I get paid for doing what I love, but every day I get to bring my infant son with me, too. I don’t have to choose between work and family, I get to do both. And whichever part insists the loudest gets most of my attention at any given time.
May 27, 2019
For the first 11 weeks of my PhD, I didn’t spend any time working in the office. Changing cities, homes, and lifestyles was extremely overwhelming for me and I found comfort in working from home. But failing to separate my home and work life had begun to affect my mental health, and I wasn’t being as productive as I needed to be.
May 27, 2019
A large part of being an academic in recovery means having to figure out how much of your identity is being an academic scientist. And if that is gone, then what is left? I’ve had to swal with this feeling, even though I’m still a scientist, just not in academia.
May 27, 2019
It has been a little over a year since I said goodbye to Scotland. Next week, I will officially become a second-year PhD student. Although this was the right decision, there was a gap of 3.5 years between my proactive decision to go after a PhD in the US and reaching Orientation Week. I have put a lot of time and effort into reaching this point, and so I am going to do my best to make the PhD worth it.
May 27, 2019
A recent study suggests that the first author of a paper must be held accountable if evidence of misconduct is found in the paper. Academics argue this approach may not be quite fair towards the first authors.
May 24, 2019
Am I a good co-worker? At my university, I get the distinct impression that I’m not well-liked. Not because I’m rude or offensive, but because I work remotely and enjoy doing so. And this got me thinking about co-workers in general.
May 22, 2019
For those of you mad enough to do a PhD, I have some advice: knowing when to let go is important, but knowing when to say yes is also important. Doing favors for people, going the extra mile, helping someone else - all these things may lead to connections and conversations that help you further down the line.
May 22, 2019
While talking to one of my committee members, I learned that by appearing nervous while making a presentation, I come across to the audience as uninterested in my research. Hearing this was very hurtful and disheartening because the truth is that I actually find my research extremely engaging and fulfilling.
May 22, 2019
From the beginning of my PhD, I’ve found that the most common question that I am coming up with is “What next?” I feel I’ve made significant progress in my first month and I’ve got a plan for the next 6 months or so. But, I still find myself asking that question, “What next?”
May 22, 2019
I was warned about this in advance. When I applied to various graduate programs, current PhD students painted a rather scary picture of a typical first year experience. I thought my first semester was bad. But my second semester proved me wrong!
May 22, 2019
I always visit my middle school science teacher when I’m in my home area. She was my first cheerleader who encouraged me to get into science. So I was beyond ecstatic to show her my first, first-authored publication!
May 22, 2019
Two weeks ago, I was in the warm, comforting environment of my mentor group meet-up when my mentor asked me point blank: “How is your career planning going?” In that moment, I froze! I couldn’t, for the life of me, remember what the status of my soul-searching career plan was.
May 22, 2019
As a PhD student, I feel like there is always something I should be doing. I should be checking recent literature in my area, writing, analyzing data, or thinking about what I should do next. However, I’m starting to realize that working all the time is a recipe for burnout and fatigue.
May 22, 2019
Seven months after finishing my MPhil, I finally attended my graduation ceremony at Cambridge. I had heard it would be weird, involving a lot of Latin and an invasion of personal space. All of this much was true. But it was also actually really cool!
May 22, 2019
This isn’t a story about careers and families and whether it’s possible to have both. This is about careers and other careers and having both. A while ago, a friend of mine wrote about being a “hyphenate” in the theater world: a writer and an actor. And this made me think about my hyphenate future as a physician-scientist.
May 22, 2019
Ever wondered what graduate students keep at their desk? Here, a PhD student will attempt to share with you the 20 most essential things he keeps at all times, at his desk.
May 22, 2019
Chinese legislators are planning to implement a new set of regulations on gene editing in humans. The main intent behind this move is to ensure that the participants’ health remains unaffected and their moral rights are protected. Read on to know more.
May 22, 2019
What has your experience been so far with making friends in grad school? Do you have friends outside of your lab? Your department? Your program? My grad program is pretty social, but my actual cohort is not.
May 22, 2019
I went to the first meeting of my graduate student support group yesterday. It’s a themed support group that offers a place for graduate students to discuss their experiences in a safe place. In order to get in, I had to do an in-person consultation with the group leader so that he could see if I fit the group dynamic. It was a bit more than I was expecting, but I was curious to try it out!
May 22, 2019
Lately I’ve been getting up really early and heading into lab a few hours before I normally would. Aside from the feeling dead part, it’s been pretty great. Having a few hours of solitude before any of my other lab-mates and PI get in allows me to be more productive and have some “me time” at the bench.
May 22, 2019
On October 2, 2014, after a 10-hour flight, I landed in the UK for the first time in my life. After another four hours of travelling, I finally reached my room in Homerton College. Before going to sleep, I skyped my mum and told her I wanted to come back home. Nostalgia hit fast and hard, but more challenges awaited me.
May 22, 2019
Thousands of researchers flocked to the streets of Brazil to protest a major cut in the public education budget. Education Minister Abraham Weintraub announced a 30% cut to the universities’ discretionary budget.
May 22, 2019
Many people are fairly aware of their future career paths by the time they graduate. Unfortunately, I was not one of these people. I am currently enrolled as a PhD student in physics at the University of the Witwatersrand. However, if you'd asked me a few years ago, I would have shared a completely different destination.
May 21, 2019
I often get the “I don’t know how you do it all” comment from people. And the truth is, I really don’t either. I am exhausted.
May 21, 2019
I am struggling. And, until a few days ago, the fact that I was struggling – especially that I was visibly struggling – was making me struggle that much more. It was a vicious cycle that I found myself in, until I finally broke. I emailed my advisors asking for an extension of just four days. But I wasn’t sure how they’d take it.
May 21, 2019
Does anyone else get tired of hearing the question “So, what do you plan on doing with that?” whenever you tell them your academic plans? Being home for the holidays has meant answering that question a total of eight times already. So, I’ve decided to have some fun with it instead of justifying the same career plans over and over.
May 21, 2019
I need a little motivation right now – a nice reminder of why I wanted to be a scientist and why I get up every morning to go to work, even on the most unglamorous scientific days. So I’d like to share how I stumbled into the field of atmospheric chemistry, why I decided to endure the fun that is grad school, and why I am going to continue working in this field despite a glum funding situation.
May 21, 2019
I feel stuck and I don’t know why. I’m going to my dream grad school. I’m working in a discipline that I love. And I’ve successfully survived my first year. I’ve even been described as intelligent, smart, and successful. But I neither feel it, nor see it.
May 21, 2019
Once you’ve done something that’s got you results, writing the analysis should be easy, right? After all, it’s you who has done the work, you know why you did it, you know how you did it, you know your results and conclusions. So what is so difficult? I have no idea, but I found this process very challenging.
May 21, 2019
Why is the PhD, more often than not, framed as a long, arduous, lonely trudge, as opposed to a challenging, stimulating, and ultimately empowering thing? Why isn’t there more emphasis on what the PhD offers a scholar; the ups rather than the downs? I’d like to share some of my thoughts on this.
May 21, 2019
I made the difficult decision of pursuing a PhD in the UK. I felt that it suited both my background and future plans, better than the US graduate programs. I knew it would be difficult. My data-driven brain had estimated that it would take about three months to feel comfortable. Close enough, but I should have doubled it.
May 21, 2019
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after defending my PhD. Would I be disillusioned and depressed? Most people finish their PhDs in a flurry of advancing deadlines and semi-realistic expectations. But, I felt an acute absence of stress as I worked through my thesis chapters. The ending was slightly anticlimactic.
May 21, 2019
When it comes to writing a research proposal, an assignment, or an academic paper, you tend to worry: you wonder whether you are making errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation, or word usage. To help you convey your views and information to your readers clearly and concisely, this article presents 6 actionable tips. So read on!
May 21, 2019
The highlight of my experience at the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology Community Education Program was inspiring the next generation to be stewards of the land and sea. One of my most memorable visits was a trip organized through the Make-a-Wish Foundation to fulfill a young girl’s wish of being a marine biologist – Jayde, a bright and passionate 15-year-old who has a love for the ocean.
May 21, 2019
I began my doctoral comprehensive exam last week. I am ready to be a doctor and move on from life in the classroom. However, it doesn’t seem like this is going to be the year for that. I got a big surprise several months ago and it didn’t take long for my baby to make his/her presence known.
May 21, 2019
I’m nearly two months into my PhD in a new university, in a new city. So you would think I’d be getting settled right about now. At least I would think I should at least be starting to get settled. However, in actuality, I’m feeling more like a lemon than I did when I first started.
May 21, 2019
There wasn’t any doubt that I would go to college one day. Learning was my passion. I could see right in front of me just how much more difficult life is for those who don’t have a college degree. I didn’t want that life. I wanted something better. Unfortunately, the world of academia is difficult to navigate if you have no one to turn to.
May 21, 2019
I’ll be leaving university with a PhD by December, and right now I feel like a falling cat. I’m hurtling towards the defense date trying to reconfigure myself in mid-air, hoping I can manage to land before impact. I’ve had interviews followed by rejections. And keeping my own spirits up is getting harder every day.
May 21, 2019
There is an old adage in science - you will fail far more than you will succeed. And although it’s something I’ve begrudgingly come to accept throughout my time as a researcher, it was not was exactly how I planned the first year of my PhD going.
May 21, 2019
In exactly a week, I will be back at work and someone other than me is going to take care of my little rascals. I am not worried about my 4 year old, who has already experienced me working Monday to Friday. But I am definitely worried about how my 6-month old baby boy is going to react to me not being near him all the time.
May 21, 2019
I was dismissed from my PhD program at the end of my second year. Around the same time, my then-husband and I separated and eventually divorced, my dog died, and my anxiety and depression came out to party. I was also on academic probation, when I found out I was about to be immediately laid off.
May 21, 2019
You don’t belong here. You aren’t this smart. You will flounder. You aren’t as good as your application says. Your advisor probably thinks they made a mistake. You’re already disappointing them – I felt completely overwhelmed and the little voice in my head got louder.
May 21, 2019
If asked to introduce myself to a group of academics, I would say: “I am Lina and for my PhD thesis, I explored how children engage with wordless picture books.” Given my love for visual stories and my PhD topic, I hereby succumb to a temptation I always had in mind: to summarise my entire PhD life in 8 pictures.
May 21, 2019
I was supposed to give a talk at a seminar, but I’d decided that I couldn’t because of my speaking-anxiety. I could either convince my advisor to excuse me from the talk or, if that failed, I would mysteriously come down with a horrific stomach bug on that day. Telling the truth didn’t seem to be a viable option for me.
May 20, 2019
I recently read an article in which a new mother talks about her dismay when several of her colleagues judged her for “taking time off” for maternity leave. The article really resonated with me and so I decided to flesh out and challenge some of these erroneous assumptions that some people in academia still make about parents.
May 20, 2019
When you are starting a career in academia, you are inevitably going to be working on a couple of short-term contracts. And these contracts can make you feel out of sync with your friends or university classmates who chose to work in industry. They start to earn money straight after university, and settle down. For you in academia however, this is more challenging, and could also get in the way of your career.
May 20, 2019
A while ago, even though I love academic research, I began to understand that I was becoming what my dad would call a ‘stagnant postdoc.’ This is a post-doctoral researcher with no prospects for the future apart from being just that - a post-doc. I wasn't too comfortable with this thought and knew that it was only a matter of time before I'd have to make a tough decision about my future.
May 20, 2019
I had just entered the first few days of my PhD and was starting to feel super organised, getting on with my reading, making notes and referencing. However, towards the end of my day, I came across a paper that seemed to counter everything I’d already read on the subject. That's when the panic set in – What am I doing? I thought I had a plan? What am I going to do?
May 20, 2019
Last summer, I was awarded tenure and it felt amazing. It was one of the proudest and most significant moments in my life thus far. After the warm and fuzzy feeling wears off though, I was left wondering “what’s next?” And if I'm being honest, I'd have to admit that I'm still struggling with this.
May 20, 2019
On New Year’s Eve, I received a call from my supervisor. He told me that, during a storm, my pigeon shed had flooded. All of my power boards and electrical cables were under about 20 cm of water. Everything was covered in dirt and muck. The pigeons were fine, but everything else was a mess!
May 20, 2019
When I was younger, I thought research happened in white rooms. White walls, white floors, white benches, white coats. I imagined that everything in these rooms would be spotless and practically sparkling, like a scene from a skin care commercial. How wrong I was!
May 20, 2019
What if you could proactively help your publisher - your editor, your reviewers, everyone who will ever handle your manuscript during the publication process? As it turns out you can. Here are 6 short tips to make sure you help your publisher help you.
May 20, 2019
One of the most difficult things after the excavation was probably the dissolution of my support network. The archaeological team went through a lot together. After being cooped up with the same people every day for 9 weeks you tend to become very close. And it can be extremely difficult going back to an environment where you don’t have people to share your experiences with.
May 16, 2019
I started Honours bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to begin some ‘real science’ with real-world implications. I also, however, was filled with small amounts of doubt and trepidation. How do I, as an undergraduate student with only three years of learning, do the ‘real science’ with real world implications? Suffice to say, the 7 months of Honours gave me the answer.
May 16, 2019
Okay… so maybe regret isn’t the best word. But my year-long experience studying abroad ignited a flame of passion deep inside my veins. It sparked in me, an insatiable case of wanderlust. What better time to leave behind the comforts of home and explore all that the world has to offer!
May 16, 2019
I often make a comprehensive to-do list, but I get scared to start things and complete them. When I make a list of things to do, all of a sudden, I get overwhelmed by all the things I wrote down. So, I don't start at all! I know that in order to accomplish my goals, I actually have to do the work. So, why I am scared to do the work that I wrote down in the first place?
May 16, 2019
My week started off with a trip to the ultrasound place. The moment the nurse put the wand onto my stomach, we looked up and saw that we were going to have a baby boy – I couldn’t be happier! I was positive that this was going to be my big news for the week, but it seems that life also had other plans.
May 16, 2019
I often feel like I need some super powers to conquer the daily life of a PhD student. I tend to think that I am just like anyone else i.e. a normal, average person without any super powers. However, given my current life circumstances, I can definitely think of a few that I really need!
May 16, 2019
Student life is rather vibrant in this university town. My favorite part of student life, besides the fact that there are so many organizations, is that I am always meeting someone new. As a grad student, I feel that socializing comes with a bit less anxiety than it did in my first year of college, and everyone is always interested and interesting.
May 16, 2019
This time last year, I had begun my graduate school career in the College of Public Health to pursue my MPH. However, now I am in the College of Education pursuing my Master of Arts in Schools, Culture, & Society. The first week of classes has passed in my new department home and I love the classes and the content. There's just one problem: I feel like I wasted my first year of graduate school and imposter syndrome has set in.
May 16, 2019
Last night I had what I call a ‘Mock-Mock’ with friends. This was in essence a warm-up for the mock-viva next week with my supervisor at the University of Leicester. But it was an invaluable experience in its own right. Until that point, I had been practising answering viva questions by myself, but that’s not quite the same thing.
May 16, 2019
My days have been sleep-deprived, involve blurry streams of a screaming baby, dirty nappies, and bucket loads of laundry. While my daughter was a good sleeper during the first few months, she abruptly stopped sleeping at 2.5 months. And until this day, she wakes up practically every hour of every night!
May 16, 2019
The presence of articles from predatory journals on PubMed is now a budding concern among the research community. There have been multiple instances where researchers have spotted articles from non-reputable journals on PubMed.
May 16, 2019
I almost chickened out, but I ended up getting coffee with the socially anxious PhD whom I recently met at a talk. I agonized over the meeting all morning and ended up taking propranolol to make my heart stop racing, but I made myself go. It was so worth it!
May 16, 2019
Last week, I spontaneously decided to go to a talk given by one of the first black women to receive a PhD in her field. While the speaker was taking questions, someone in the row behind me asked a question about having confidence in academia. She mentioned how she hates giving talks and finds conferences terrifying despite her success in her field. My social anxiety radar was immediately activated!
May 16, 2019
My postdoc hadn’t worked out. The first sign that things were going wrong came before my official start date, but it wasn’t until approximately 2 months into the postdoc that I finally admitted to myself – I made a mistake coming here, this is a bad fit.
May 16, 2019
After you receive the rejection email from a grad school program you applied to, the questions always come. What could I have done differently? Was my file extensively debated? Was it stupid applying to this program in the first place? I know that last year, each rejection left me angry, upset, and confused.
May 15, 2019
Life is changing, yet again, and I have to find time to keep doing important things. We all dream of a stable future devoid of inconveniences. It is perhaps, how we assume things will be once we finish our PhDs. But I have a sneaky suspicion that maybe things won’t change after all. Maybe it will even get worse! Being on the doorstep of change, as I am, is anxiety-inducing.
May 15, 2019
Over a year ago, I decided to work towards broadening my horizons and investing in my growth. So I applied for a scholarship. A few weeks later I received a call, letting me know that I had been shortlisted for an interview. I was overjoyed, but I also felt my heart cringe at the thought of being bombarded with questions that I couldn’t possibly answer.
May 15, 2019
You could argue that my current position as a statistician is a result of an intense desire to avoid any more chemistry courses as an undergraduate student in Biology. My Chem 2 experience was the roughest of my educational experience, and when I crawled out on the other end, I vowed never again. Since a minor in chemistry was out, I decided to go the mathematics minor route instead. Why not? So I took AP Calculus.
May 15, 2019
Three years into my statistics PhD and I’m finally starting to get a feel for what a ‘typical’ day means for me. My life is currently a balancing act between research, class, and teaching, amongst other things. But not every day is the same; and not every week is the same.
May 15, 2019
One year ago today, I officially started my PhD journey. I remember feeling pretty lost and a little overwhelmed, but also had this ball of excitement in the pit of my stomach. And looking back, it’s nice to reflect on how far I’ve come!
May 15, 2019
I was so terrified of speaking at a conference that I purposely submitted my poster abstract after the given deadline, Despite this, my abstract was chosen. I cried when I got the email congratulating me on my interesting abstract! And I cried when I realized there was no escaping this talk and that I was going to have to do it.
May 15, 2019
Earlier this week, I returned from a very large out-of-town conference. I typically like conferences because it is great to hear cutting-edge research and presentations from experts in the field. However, I HATE the networking and social aspects of conferences, and this conference was particularly “networky.” It was a borderline social anxiety nightmare!
May 15, 2019
Interruptions are the bane of my existence. When I’m in the zone working on something, it is very disruptive to be interrupted. As I do most of my work in my office on campus, and my office is located directly across from the departmental office, there are plenty of sources of interruption throughout any given day.
May 15, 2019
The UK is likely to abandon expensive journal subscriptions for more “read and publish” agreements, taking cue from other European nations like Germany and Norway.
May 14, 2019
The research methods I planned to use for my PhD research were never a secret. I was expected to disclose the research methods I intended to use, in my PhD application. Among those methods, I positioned a largely qualitative online survey. Little did I know, that this data collection method was completely opposed to what my supervisor had in mind and expected of me.
May 10, 2019
I did it. I buffed my writing and pipetting calluses. I landed a postdoctoral fellowship from a surprisingly prestigious lab. I defended my dissertation. I moved to “New-Job City.” Now what?
May 10, 2019
I said no for a whole year - I didn’t plan it that way, it just happened. I realized a couple months ago, when I took on a few new things, that I had pointedly avoided taking on anything new or extra for over a year, since before my baby was born.
May 10, 2019
My first week as a PhD student began before my first week actually started! I was sent an email from the university with a mile-long list of things to do online, which included several training courses, checklists, and registering for further training. And I soon realized that this was just the beginning.
May 10, 2019
The White House has unveiled a joint committee to tackle obstacles faced by the American research enterprise. Leaders from several federal agencies will work together to gather insight from the scientific and the academic community.
May 10, 2019
I am not the obvious choice when it comes to labeling someone as an academic – I laugh a lot, I am super chilled, I don’t take much seriously, I look like I spend my life in face masks and salons and quite frankly, I don’t hold a vocabulary which is up to any standards that I'd associate with a Master’s graduate or PhD student, and yet I am here.
May 10, 2019
One very important aspect of my job is my roughly bi-weekly lab meetings. And after years of these meetings, I noticed last summer that they were becoming a bit stale. So, beginning last semester, I decided to try and spice things up a little. This involved transforming the lab meetings from a meeting of updates into something I hope is far more meaningful to everyone involved.
May 10, 2019
Have you heard of Plan S? It has been one of the hottest topics of discussion among academics over the past few months. Most of you might be aware of what it is. If you don’t, this post is for you. In this post I will discuss the basics of Plan S and some of its implications on research and researchers globally.
May 9, 2019
Despite the fact that my to-do list for the year isn’t quite finished, I can’t help but look back on the semester and year and feel extremely satisfied with what I was able to accomplish, thanks to the efforts of the brilliant people with whom I work.
May 9, 2019
Anxiety ebbs and flows. One week you can feel super chilled, and the next, you suddenly start feeling on edge all of the time. This week, I am on the edge.
May 9, 2019
In this interesting story, the author shares the experience of losing a job after being fired by the PI and how this led them to the path of self-discovery.
May 8, 2019
If I were to use a metaphor in which I'm a fish, and the labs that I've worked at are water bodies, then I'd have to say that I've been a variably sized fish in various sizes of pond. But, over time, I have learned to swim in the corresponding tides, despite the fact that as the body of water has grown, the tidal force has changed dramatically.
May 8, 2019
Dr. Erica Hawkins, a postdoctoral scientist working on starch synthesis in plants, shares her story of battling mental health issues such as anxiety and OCD as an academic.
May 8, 2019
How does the general population perceive science and scientists? This post summarizes 3M's report State of Science Index: 2019 Global Findings on what people think about science and expect from it.
May 8, 2019
When I was in grad school, I felt like I wasn’t good enough and at the same time that I deserved to have it all – perfect grades, grants, awards, fantastic publications, a great social life, and a happy family. My way of trying to achieve this was by acting tough, and for awhile, I feel like it actually kind of worked.
May 8, 2019
I don’t know exactly when I started to change my mind about academia. Actually, I think it was a mix of things that lead me out of it. This past weekend, I finally emptied my office at the university. Although it did hurt to wipe everything off and leave almost 20 years of academia behind, I am happy with my job and the path my life has taken. Indeed, there’s life after academia, and I’m enjoying it a lot.
May 8, 2019
I continue to struggle with staying at my desk more often than being in the lab. Often I choose reading over writing and agonize over filling lab books. I also often write off lab tasks to “tomorrow” that could be done today rather than making stuff in the lab. But hopefully, this time next year, I'll be talking about how I've overcome this.
May 8, 2019
I left academia about a year ago and started working in biotech, selling analytical equipment to researchers. It was a painful process, and at first I didn’t really want to leave – but life just lead me to expand my horizons and now I’m really happy with my new job. But still, when it was time to go back and visit my university, I thought I was still too raw and needed more training before I could face my former colleagues.
May 8, 2019
You know how they say that after you break up with someone, you need to meet that person again to see if you’re fully over it? Well, two years ago, I broke up with academia, ending a relationship of almost 20 years. And that’s exactly how I felt!
May 8, 2019
In my last year of high school, a family friend gave birth to a little boy called Oliver. Unfortunately, he was born with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called a Rhabdoid Tumour. While Oliver was getting cancer treatment, I was applying to different universities. I was drawn to drug discovery courses because of what was happening with Oliver at the time. Sadly, he passed away a few months later, on Christmas Day.
May 8, 2019
On a typical day for me as a chemistry PhD student, I am involved with several activities and tasks both inside and outside of the lab. Juggling these things requires a lot of time management, which I have varying levels of success at doing. But I like that there’s a lot of variety in my work!
May 8, 2019
I've been approached by several colleagues who are currently pursuing their PhD and wondering what it is like to be a postdoc bridging two disciplines. I am sharing this to try and give them a synthesis of what I did this summer as a postdoctoral researcher and why I chose to invest my time in these activities.
May 7, 2019
I fully agree that getting a PhD can carry you down a road filled with tests and pitfalls. Plus, pursuing post-graduate studies is definitely a test of how you address being stressed. My jaw blocked shut because I processed my stress by grinding my teeth in my sleep during my PhD. However, I don’t think we should accept depression as part of the course.
May 7, 2019
Graduation is exciting! You made it! It paid off! Then there is this weird haze where time passes as you re-enter the human existence. Because you have worked so hard for years before graduation, the year after graduation is spent reintroducing yourself to your friends, family, and co-workers. And once the haze wears off, the depression can set in.
May 7, 2019
Earlier this year, I gave birth to a baby boy and two months later I started my new position as an Assistant Professor in biology at San Francisco State University. My husband and I were both at home for the first two months after our baby was born, but I usually hear: “Wow, you went back to work after only two months?” whereas he hears: “Wow, how cool that you were home for two full months!”
May 7, 2019
Several months ago I completed a 35-hour yoga teacher training class. In following months as I tried to maintain my yoga practice while finishing my doctoral dissertation, I found that several of the core yoga principles were translatable to my scientific process. And applying these principles to my daily scientific life made me feel more productive and focused.
May 7, 2019
The German budget plan includes a 3% yearly increase in research spending; the number of yearly evaluations for institutions is likely to rise too.
May 7, 2019
One of the reasons why I love the hashtag #ScientistsWithTattoos on Twitter is that it demonstrates one of the many ways that scientists are also people with personalities outside of their work. Granted – all my tattoos are of plants, animals, or atoms – I really like being able to express myself with tattoos. And I feel comfortable in my tattooed skin!
May 6, 2019
I am outing myself as a disabled scientist. I have a hidden disability and this gives me the luxury of being selective in letting people know about my disability. I was diagnosed in February 2012, and have therefore only been aware of it for about 4 years. I am choosing to share my story now in order to show other early career scientists that it is possible to survive and thrive with a disability in academia.
May 6, 2019
The early stages of a scientific career are designed to be unstable, sling-shotting you from place to place as you acquire new skills. I bucked this paradigm somewhat in the first years after finishing my PhD, teaching, and working on local projects in order to stay in the Bay Area. But the lure of learning from a cool new lab proved irresistible. So towards the end of August this year, I moved out to Minneapolis to start a postdoc.
May 6, 2019
It would be great to live in a world where your fashion choices didn’t influence what people think about your competence or abilities as a scientist. Sadly, we do not live in such a world. Lucky for me, I’m at the point in my career where I’m feeling comfortable and secure enough in my position to start making some bolder fashion choices.
May 6, 2019
About a month ago, I was invited to talk to a group of young ladies about my favorite topics. I immediately said yes, because what could be better than chatting about my PhD with future voters. But then, I felt nervous. I’d only ever presented my research to adults, and the thought of speaking to a group of 5-7 year olds was a little daunting.
May 6, 2019
One of the things I like about what I do is the strangeness of my everyday situations. There’s more of the boring old ‘sitting at a computer’ situation than I would like, but the ‘measuring baby birds on a mountaintop’ situation helps make up for that. Now that field work is over for the season, my situations are different, but not really less strange.
May 6, 2019
After a brilliant break over Christmas and New Year’s, I felt a little lost with where to start, in the huge pile of work I had to do. Luckily, I started off the year with the SLSA Postgrad Conference at the University of Warwick. This was a great way to get rid of those Christmas cobwebs, and the sessions were all so informative and interesting.
May 6, 2019
Burnout is something I have a close, complex, and personal relationship with. I treat my work like an endurance sport; it’s a long-term race that doesn’t end. I am really good at finding the absolute edge of my limits, and then crashing. That's where my shelfie comes in - it is united by either places or people who have meant a lot to me in my life and reminds me of who I am outside of my PhD.
May 6, 2019
One of the things that I love about any kind of large writing project is how it evolves over time. Ideas change, theories develop, and the more familiar you are with the project, the more you’re able to really dig in to what it is you’re trying to do. And in the last one year, I've realized that this evolution and change also applies to my PhD.
May 6, 2019
I’ve had the most amazing first year as a PhD student, and an exciting summer as well! It’s been challenging at times, but always rewarding. I’m really looking forward to where my research goes in the next two years!
May 6, 2019
So, exactly one month ago today, I was on my way to my very first day as a PhD-er. I was a bundle of nerves, terrified I was going to get lost in the roundabouts of Milton Keynes and full of imposter syndrome-itis. But thankfully, it all turned out fine and I ended up learning so much!
May 6, 2019
Thousands of researchers in Argentina joined a nationwide strike last week to protest the austerity measures announced by the government. The scientific community’s participation was triggered by the lack of job opportunities for trained young researchers who want the government to notice their plight.
May 3, 2019
How is the background of a research study different from a literature review? Are you unsure about what sets them apart? This infographic lists 6 differences that will help you distinguish between the two.
May 3, 2019
I had the hardest semester of my life but I got something great out of it. I started a new job this fall – one of my top-choice careers, at one of my top-choice institutions! But I couldn’t move there for family-related reasons. So all fall, I’ve been commuting between two different states to work part of the week at my new job and part of the week at my old postdoc research position. As you can imagine, it’s been terrible!
May 3, 2019
My postdoc PI was extremely disappointed and he told me, "You know that if you leave academia, there's no coming back." After 3 years, I think he was totally correct, but for totally different reasons.
May 3, 2019
When I first left academia to sell analytical equipment to universities, everything was new and different. It took a while to get used to having extra time on my hands, and to stop feeling that academic guilt. But after a couple of months, I started to feel more comfortable. So when the opportunity to get a side job at protocols.io came up, I thought that was the perfect situation.
May 3, 2019
I became pregnant with my son a year and a half into my PhD program on purpose. I say on purpose because one of the more shocking things that happened to me during my first pregnancy as a graduate student was the number of people who seemed to think that it was an accidental pregnancy. The idea that a graduate student would choose to become pregnant during graduate school was pretty racy back then I guess.
May 3, 2019
In February, days before my wedding, I started experiencing severe pain. Within a week, I had seen 3 doctors, gone to the emergency room, and was diagnosed with an infection called an abscess that required immediate surgery. I was constantly exhausted, but tried to maintain a schedule as normal as possible because I thought, “I should be getting better." Clearly, as I sit here over six months later, still not completely well, I realize I had been doing things wrong for a long time.
May 3, 2019
How does one know if they have work-life balance? Is there a formula, an ideal? Has anyone calculated the optimal percent of time and energy that should be spent and focused outside of one’s career?
May 3, 2019
I’m a professional, an expert who has earned a credential, namely a PhD, that reinforces these facts. You may ask why I need these facts reinforced. It is not because I have a gigantic ego, think I’m better than everyone else, or am a member of the non-existent Canadian “elite.” The fact that I’m a professional and an expert needs to be enforced regularly because this is questioned several times, primarily because I don’t look like a typical scientist.
May 3, 2019
I think it’s important to share that doing a PhD isn’t all positive and productive. Sometimes you feel terrible and you just have to accept it and try to change things around. Full steam ahead to positive and productive times!
May 3, 2019
Many things happened at once when our program began a year ago. Our orientation week was cut short and we missed the first week of classes due to Hurricane Harvey. After that, getting into the classroom mentality took a while because the storm had lasting effects on many of my classmates and professors.
May 3, 2019
I am depressed. This may seem strange, given that I have just submitted my thesis and I am on holiday at last and free to watch hours of Downton Abbey while eating mince pies. But, I am. I am annoyed with everyone and everything. I am not at my best right now. I have what I am referring to as ‘post-submission blues.’
May 3, 2019
I sat at my desk after avoiding work all day and I just cried. I couldn’t face it. I didn’t understand what was happening to me and I had hit this feeling of rock bottom. It was awful but I’m glad it happened.
May 3, 2019
“It’s so hard to have a mom who’s a scientist,” our oldest says, sounding exasperated, after a deep sigh and a roll of her eyes. “Mommy, why can’t I come with you?” asks our youngest, with her eyes big, bright, and just so sincere. I’ve done everything I can think of to reduce the stress of my being gone on my family. Do any of those preparations ever assuage my guilt? Honestly, not really.
May 3, 2019
Being a woman in the field, I have struggled with finding clothing that is not brightly colored or pastel. There is nothing wrong with these colors, but if I want to add such colors to my field-clothes repertoire, then it should be on my own terms – not because of my limited choice at a retail store.
May 3, 2019
When people say you’ll spend your first few months simply reading…they mean it! You’re not expected to be an expert in the field when you first start your PhD so take the first few months to submerge yourself in the literature!
May 3, 2019
A group of researchers from Japan have discovered a new large DNA virus that may help scientists better understand the origins of DNA replication and the evolution of complex life.
May 2, 2019
I am a postdoctoral researcher in neuroscience. I am still looking for my true calling, which definitely involves learning about awesome science, data visualization and helping people reach their goals (anyone knows what that is?). And I (almost) overcame impostor syndrome! This is my story.
Apr 30, 2019
I recently read an article that described the stereotypical scientist as an older white male in a white lab coat and goggles, probably holding a test tube of some sort. But this isn't true for all professionals in science. I am a scientist, but I do not own a lab coat, and very rarely wear safety goggles at work.
Apr 30, 2019
I sit here at my computer in my kitchen, wearing PJs and surrounded by Kleenex stained black with mascara. I came home sick from work, so the multitude of Kleenex is saturated with a combination of winter drainage and tears. The snot is from my cold, while the tears are from an extended, ugly crying session I’m wrapping up, after learning that I didn’t get what I thought was my dream job –writing here is my therapy.
Apr 30, 2019
Collaborating is not always easy – people have different styles, habits, and preferences for just about every stage of a project, from brainstorming ideas to writing up the results in a paper. Add on a layer of cultural and linguistic differences, and you could easily have the opportunity for some major problems! Luckily, I have not run into any problems with my collaborators here in Sweden, although there are some very interesting challenges that I’ve had to face.
Apr 30, 2019
I couldn’t believe it when our doctor first called to say that I was pregnant! I wasn't sure who to tell. But when my boss asked me for an updated plan for our upcoming year-long study, which I obviously wouldn’t be able to complete before my due date, I decided to tell him. I was really really nervous to tell him, but I was in for a pleasant surprise.
Apr 30, 2019
I have been really busy the last several weeks working on writing my dissertation and preparing to teach an Introduction to Ecology course. All the time spent staring at my computer has me daydreaming about all the hours I have spent doing field work over the course of my PhD. I flipped through some half-finished blog posts and journal entries from that period, and was instantly transported back to this memorable day.
Apr 30, 2019
Read through our top picks for this month and fill your appetite for interesting news and goings-on in the scholarly publishing world. Happy reading!
Apr 30, 2019
Despite the fact that I told people I wanted to be a field biologist when I was 10, I lost sight of that ideal during high school. Career tests don’t usually turn up “ecologist” as an option. Lucky for me, in the spring of my freshman year, the second half of the intro bio series for majors focused on biodiversity, conservation, and ecology. I was finally learning from a person who seemed to be making his career out of asking questions about the way nature worked!
Apr 30, 2019
Support systems are not easy to set up, maintain, and especially to mend if they have fallen apart. They require care, time, and emotional energy, and these things are often in short supply during a PhD candidacy. But I was very lucky! I managed to finish my PhD thesis in the time I did because of the different forms of support I had, and it made a big difference during my candidacy.
Apr 30, 2019
Three weeks into my leave, my boys went on mid-year school holidays for 3 weeks. I worked, but at half-pace and my quiet was gone. It was frustrating and difficult. I kept working, but still only at half-pace, getting increasingly worried about how little progress I was making in relation to my work-plan.
Apr 30, 2019
Many young researchers shy away from the idea of networking because in their minds, networking involves sleek managers in fancy suits flashing business cards at each other at a champagne reception party. Not me though! My idea of networking is simply to go out there and make new friends.
Apr 30, 2019
Starting a new job while going through a major breakup and having to deal with occupancy changes, the loss of one house member, and the search for new ones is not ideal. I can’t say, “Hey can we postpone my start date so I can spend a few days crying and eating pizza and figuring out my personal life before I embark on a journey to write grants and do research on an almost entirely new subject?”
Apr 29, 2019
Dr. Anna Boegehold, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, she shares her story about some unique challenges in academia she has faced as a PhD student.
Apr 29, 2019
As a six-year-old, I enthusiastically and quite accurately named every Salal plant, Oregon grape, and Monkey puzzle tree that I saw. My love for nature inspired me to apply for the Environmental and Adventure School, an alternative to public school in my district. At this school, much of our time was spent engaging in outdoor exploration, education, and community service, and this experience changed my path forever!
Apr 29, 2019
I clearly remember the mentors I have had during my career. What they had in common was that they all asked killer questions that triggered thought and action, or taught and inspired me through their actions. I have also, on numerous occasions, learned from those who I have mentored. This has been when a mentee has acted in an unpredictable way to resolve a problem or has changed their mindset.
Apr 29, 2019
The first 9 months of my post-academic life were filled with moving back in with my parents, trying to find a job, questioning my choices, catching up on sleep, and getting re-acquainted with the people in my life. Although I felt more like a high school student during summer break than a functioning adult, I appreciate the breathing room it afforded me and my chance to reassess what I wanted to do next.
Apr 29, 2019
This past December, I applied for a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. If received, it would fully fund my graduate education, providing me the freedom to join any lab I wanted at my institution. I proposed a project designed in collaboration with a former boss/PI and was incredibly proud of the research plan. Unfortunately, the review committee did not agree, and told me that my application was no longer being considered.
Apr 29, 2019
For most people, a quick overnight stay in London, and a two day conference would not be anything to worry about at all. But for me, it's a whole different story. I am now going to share with you just some of the thoughts going through my head before a conference, and let you into the inner workings of my anxious brain. Prepare yourselves!
Apr 29, 2019
When I first got diagnosed with anxiety and mild depression, I felt ashamed of it. What did I possibly have to be depressed about? I had amazing friends and family, a PhD in a great institute and a great lab, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love science, so why was I anxious about it all the time?
Apr 29, 2019
Elsevier and Norway have agreed to a new pilot agreement that will allow corresponding Norwegian researchers to publish in an open access format in most of Elsevier’s journals.
Apr 29, 2019
It’s been nearly four months since submission. The early glow of handing the thesis in has worn off. I am at a loss to what my future will hold. I’m riddled with anxiety and lack of faith in my own future. This was not what I expected.
Apr 29, 2019
The period of completing the first draft was probably the toughest period I’ve ever had psychologically. I questioned every life decision I ever made. I was so lost in the process I couldn’t separate the PhD pain from anything else.
Apr 29, 2019
Who knew that being on a huge stage talking about bird sperm could be so much fun? All summer I’ve been working on my presentation and it’s been one of things that I’ve been looking forward to but I was also quite nervous. Being in the spotlight like that isn’t really in my nature, so I was really pushing myself to do it. But oh my, am I glad I did it! I am still on an adrenaline high and feel like I’d just like to go out there and do it again!
Apr 26, 2019
Last week, I participated in the Ecology Across Borders conference, where I was uber excited to do my first real conference talk! When I spied an opportunity to come to this conference and speak in the Evolutionary Ecology session, I was more than happy to grab it. It’s a huge meeting, and only about half the submitted talk abstracts were being accepted. So I felt even more honoured to get a slot!
Apr 26, 2019
Completing a PhD is like running a marathon. You can approach it as a race and attempt to finish first, or you can merely focus on finishing. Instead of pacing myself in anticipation of the long road ahead, I feel like I have started my PhD at a sprint.
Apr 26, 2019
By my colleague’s measure, I may have committed career suicide multiple times. Right now, at this moment in time, I feel both confident and challenged by my career for a number of reasons
Apr 26, 2019
I completed my PhD very slowly. Here is the short version of a long story. My PhD was poorly planned. I didn’t have a well-defined topic. I worked four days a week in an area unrelated to my PhD.
Apr 26, 2019
We talk a great deal about mental stress, and even the emotional toll that a PhD process can take on students, but I have not yet seen very much written about the physical toll except in a couple of main areas.
Apr 26, 2019
A year ago, I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I had it all planned out. For years I knew what I wanted was to get my PhD, become a professor of pharmacology, and research the design of anticancer drugs. Then, just two days before taking the GRE in my junior year of college, I discovered the Medical Scientist Training Program and was swept off to somewhere I never thought I would be.
Apr 26, 2019
They say your first lab rotation in graduate school is the hardest – you’re adjusting from an undergraduate to graduate student, you’re adjusting to potentially a new school and a new state, you’re adjusting to new people, and you’re adjusting to new research and a new lab. Personally, I feel that picking a thesis lab pulls at your emotions just like dating. Let’s just say my first rotation came with a rollercoaster of emotions.
Apr 26, 2019
Scientists at the Aoki Laboratory, headed by Professor Shin Aoki, at Tokyo University of Science have taken a giant leap in the battle against cancer. They have synthesized an artificial protein that can kill cancer cells.
Apr 25, 2019
I started my PhD in good health. Several years in, I got ill. A cold morphed into labyrinthitis, which left me with long-term nerve damage in one ear, affecting my hearing and making me very off-balance. A year and a half later, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndome. The only way back to my PhD was slowly.
Apr 25, 2019
The second year of my PhD taught me that the 'mid-PhD' lull really exists. It has also suddenly dawned on me that I am actually doing a PhD, something that requires hard work and resilience to accomplish, and this is a big deal. But, most importantly, I have learned that despite all the work I've done so far, I'm nowhere near finished!
Apr 25, 2019
I started writing this story because I wanted to think about why I’m in this career and not a different one. I read an interesting article written by a personal trainer last year, in which he described the first conversation they have with potential clients who are thinking of signing up for coaching, i.e. why do you want to do this? I applied this to myself and tried to answer why I chose the career that I did, and what motivates me through the tough days.
Apr 25, 2019
When I first started my PhD two years ago, I heard whispers about a so called “PhD slump.” About how in the middle of the PhD journey, people want to scream, and cry, and give it all up. I thought it was a myth, something that happens to a few people, something that would never happen to me.
Apr 25, 2019
The first year of my PhD taught me 7 important lessons. I learned that being passionate about a cause can sometimes be very exhausting, I easily began to understand why PhD timelines don't work out as planned, I learned that I absolutely love the flexibility my work gives me, and had several other revelations.
Apr 25, 2019
In our careers, we often carry around burdens that slow us down, but we keep carrying them because they’re not quite heavy enough to get our attention. And, one of the best things that can happen is when the burden gets big enough to make us realize that we need to let it go.
Apr 25, 2019
When I first starting blogging, I wrote a post about why I chose to start a PhD. I wrote this post when I was 6 months into my PhD and in the proposal stage of my research. Now that I am almost ‘half way’ through, I thought it was time that I reflected on my choice for starting a PhD and discuss whether it has lived up to my expectations.
Apr 25, 2019
Marriage is a constant learning experience. And so is life! One thing I love about my career is that I am constantly learning something new and look forward to that every day I wake up. As scientists, we are driven by curiosity and passion -- and that's what drives my marriage, too.
Apr 25, 2019
I have multiple sclerosis, as a result of which I’m constantly in pain and experience deep fatigue. People in my life have told me to forget my PhD, to change careers, or do something else; but I proceeded anyway. But managing a PhD could drain my energy, which is usually low. To deal with this, I decided that I must be able to ‘say no’ to myself and to other people, without feeling guilty.
Apr 25, 2019
Teaching a grad class was SO WEIRD. Fun at times, but weird. So often I felt a little out of body about being a professor, teaching a GRAD CLASS, marvelling that it was actually happening.
Apr 23, 2019
Earlier, if you'd asked me what I was doing with my life, I would proudly say I was hoping to get my PhD in Marine Biology. But hundreds of thousands of students embark on a PhD every year. And I was truly wondering if I ever will be one of them. When you are at the bottom of a rabbit hole, you have a lot of time to think. And so I started wondering if I wanted a PhD for the right reasons or because it was just "expected" of me.
Apr 23, 2019
After more than four years of hard work, I finally obtained my PhD. On December 8th, 2016, at 11.00 am, I successfully defended my thesis. The thesis committee rated my thesis as ‘very good’ and my defense as ‘excellent.’ After that day, I escaped to the UK for a well-deserved holiday. Now, back on the European mainland, I'd like to reflect on one of the most memorable days in my life.
Apr 23, 2019
On the first day of class, I admitted to my senior seminar students that I was running something of an experiment with them - we were going to negotiate the syllabus together. And I’d never done it before. Most of them looked incredulous. Many looked nervous. Some even wanted a rationale. But it would be fun! I hoped.
Apr 23, 2019
Upon reflection of my research study I found myself starting to question every decision made. This microscopic scrutinisation effortlessly highlighted every flaw, leaving me with a heavy sinking feeling.
Apr 22, 2019
The past few years have been such a steep learning curve and I look back at my naïve, optimistic first-year self with a little bit of fondness for blindly jumping onto the rollercoaster. You can’t really put into words the experience of doing a PhD or prepare yourself for what lies ahead. While the challenges are many, the scale tends to tip towards the rewards more often than not.
Apr 22, 2019
Doing a PhD is a lot like climbing a mountain. As you start, all you see is the large pile of rock you have to climb and nothing else. The path is long and tiring and never leads to the top in a straight line.
Apr 22, 2019
Indian scientists have launched a preprint repository where researchers can archive manuscripts from multiple disciplines. The online repository will help to improve the quality of science, hope the founders of the initiative.
Apr 22, 2019
I wonder if I’ll always feel anxious, jealous, tired, and insufficient even amid professional success or notable accomplishments. I imagine myself in ten years and am sure that I’ll still probably feel the drive to do more and do better, because that’s how I’ve been wired since middle school. And then I think if I’m exhausted now at 35, how will I do this for the rest of my career? Then the mountain gets higher and steeper, and I’m tired all over again (Netflix, here I come!).
Apr 19, 2019
My desire to work towards saving and conserving wildlife started when I was 10 years old. I knew I did not want to be a vet; I wanted to be outside, surrounded by nature! And although this might have seemed a bit ambitious at that time, I decided I was going to save the world! And this was only the beginning.
Apr 19, 2019
I've had several people tell me that "tenure is no big deal," both pre- and post-tenure. I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. I know that tenure is not some magical pass to stop working and spend every day rock climbing. But, that doesn't mean that it's not a game-changer in many other ways. From my viewpoint, tenure changes everything!
Apr 19, 2019
When I first told my family in the Emirates that I had been accepted to a PhD programme at the University of Cambridge, my father’s bewildered reaction was to proclaim, “What for? You’re divorced and you have a son. Your future is over." But I didn't let this discourage me from pursuing my academic dreams.
Apr 19, 2019
About 40% research-intensive institutes consider journal impact factors when evaluating the performance of their academic staff, reveals a survey of 129 North American institutions.
Apr 19, 2019
A group of scientists from Tokyo University of Science have discovered a new way to regenerate flowering plant tissues, opening possibilities of mitigating global food shortage problem.
Apr 17, 2019
NIH-funded institutions may take action against scientists found guilty of breaking the agency’s rules regarding disclosure of foreign ties.
Apr 16, 2019
At 9 months pregnant, I had two promising phone interviews. Given my advanced pregnancy, and how unpredictable babies’ arrivals can be, my contact at a medical communications firm proposed we meet and talk at a coffee shop after work one evening. As we spoke, I found myself growing increasingly excited about the potential impact I could have in this career field, and how much I could learn. All went well and fairly predictably until she asked me a question I never anticipated.
Apr 15, 2019
Rejection sucks. It can affect us like physical pain. When I was a law student I applied to a significant number of law firms for a job. Despite many interviews, I didn’t get any offers of employment. Slowly but surely, I pinned the rejection letters to the wall of my student digs. Two years of rejection. Two years of rejection letters. I had very nearly given up. And then, on the day of graduation, I landed a job - the greatest job!
Apr 11, 2019
One of the most challenging aspects of preparing your manuscript is deciding which format your research findings should be presented in. Should you present your research data through tables, figures, or as plain text? This infographic contains quick tips to help you make a more informed decision.
Apr 10, 2019
On March 29, the Brazilian government announced that the continuing economic crisis has forced the “freezing” of 42% of the country’s science budget. Researchers in Brazil are worried that this may greatly impair the scientific progress of the country. Read on to know more.
Apr 10, 2019
April 23, 2019, 08:30 AM - April 23, 2019, 09:30 AM UTC 
I am a procrastinator. Yes, that’s right, I’m comfortable enough to admit it now. I have honed expert procrastination skills over the years, but the most recent talent I’ve developed is that of procrastibaking. Biscuits, cakes, pies; when confronted with a deadline, I’ve made ‘em all. I’ve even indulged, once or twice, in what I like to call “experimental procrastibaking.”
Apr 8, 2019
In one of the first judgments of its kind, India-based publishing group OMICS International has been ordered to pay over $50 million due to its dubious business practices. Read on to know more.
Apr 5, 2019
The inclusion of North Korean researchers in international research projects and collaborations is highly restricted. However, last month, a top university from North Korea entered an exchange agreement with an Italian university. Read on for more details.
Apr 3, 2019
Doing a dissertation is an emotionally draining process - a known fact! Despite having several different ways of coping, I sometimes find myself crying. And I am not alone in this. My sister was told at the beginning of her PhD Journey that if she did not cry at least twice in her first quarter, then there was something wrong with her. So today, I thought I would put it out there: sometimes, I cry when I work on my dissertation and that’s OK with me.
Apr 1, 2019
Errors in word usage account for a significant proportion of language problems in research papers written by non-native English speakers. This article lists some examples of commonly observed errors in word usage in scientific writing and provides tips on how you can avoid them.
Apr 1, 2019
Artificial intelligence is of huge interest to researchers as it has the potential to change the course of scientific discovery. While AI-powered applications in research are in a nascent stage, the realm of options and possibilities AI can open for researchers seems endless.
Mar 29, 2019
February 24, 2019, 12:00 PM - February 24, 2019, 18:00 PM UTC 
If you followed me to work every day, you would think that my job is to be a face. Here are the glowing reviews: a NASA Goddard space science consultant, an astrobiologist, a lobbyist on behalf of exploration science, a science communicator, a diversity and inclusion “battering ram,” “firework,” and my personal favorite, “champion.” Yes, I have actually awkwardly been called all of this in front of my colleagues. But wait. Here's the catch - I am still a senior in my undergraduate degree.
Mar 29, 2019
Catch up with some great discussions from the scholarly publishing world. Check out our top reading picks for you this month.
Mar 29, 2019
Duke University has settled research misconduct lawsuit with a reimbursement of $112.5 million while the whistleblower who filed the lawsuit will receive more than $33 million.
Mar 28, 2019
A presubmission inquiry helps you find out if a journal would be interested in your research without you having to go through the processes of manuscript submission and editorial decision making. Here are some things you should and shouldn’t do while writing a presubmission inquiry.
Mar 28, 2019
Your study background must prompt the readers to read the rest of your paper. Not sure how you can make the background of your study more engaging? This infographic shows you what you should and shouldn’t do when writing the background of your study.
Mar 27, 2019
I have been thinking recently about my PhD journey. While it may seem that my journey was a bright and shiny thing, this is not completely so. Towards the end of 2010, I was asking myself - Do I really want/need a PhD? Wouldn’t my life be easier if I just quit and tried again later when my life is less busy? I had a tough year in 2010, workwise and personally. I started my PhD in February of that year and had no idea what I was doing, and all the months I spent reading and thinking, drained rather than energised me.
Mar 26, 2019
Science journal Nature and Altmetric have received funding from the Google Digital News Innovation Fund to build an innovative tool that will measure the real-world impact of journalism.
Mar 26, 2019
February 17, 2019, 11:00 AM - February 21, 2019, 18:00 PM UTC 
I’m very privileged – I have a supportive family, supportive friends, a loving partner, a nice, safe place to live, health insurance, clean running water, and all of my basic needs are met. However, I do face some unique challenges in academia being a woman and a first-generation college student.
Mar 22, 2019
Karen Uhlenbeck wins the Abel Prize, becoming the first woman ever to win the honour. Her contributions have led to some of the most notable developments in the field of mathematics and she has become a role model for women in academia.
Mar 21, 2019
Out of a sense of mutiny about the world around me, I decided to fail the final exams of my Bachelors’ degree. It was my way of rejecting the life imagined for me by others. This would be a big gamble, but there was an odd sense of quiet self-assurance that stayed with me. Unfortunately, nobody else in my world at the time would understand my resolution or my reasons, but it was something I had to do to discover who I really was.
Mar 19, 2019
Norway becomes the latest country to cancel its Elsevier subscription, leaving thousands of scientists without access to the publisher’s newest articles, while the publisher is set to lose € 10 million a year in revenue. Read on to know more.
Mar 19, 2019
Recently, I posted on Facebook about how well I'd done academically this past semester as a full-time student who works full-time and also, somehow, found the time to write and pass my PhD preliminary exam as well. Among the several comments that I received, there were a few people who posted about me also being a mother. And I wasn’t sure how to react.
Mar 15, 2019
Newer forms of unethical practices are on the rise in the acdemic publishing world, taking unsuspecting authors by surprise. When a dissatisfied author gives a negative rating to an online plagiarism check service vendor, the vendor publishes her paper anonymously to settles scores. When the author tries to publish her paper, it gets rejected on the grounds of duplicate submission.
Mar 15, 2019
Trump’s budget proposal targets science federal agencies once again, drawing criticism scientists and agencies. Various research projects and healthcare programs are likely to be affected if Congress approves this budget.
Mar 15, 2019
French theoretical physicist and founder of the Dolos list, Professor Alexander Georges, shares his views on the emergence of predatory publishing and discusses how this business model poses a threat to the integrity of scientific endeavor.
Mar 14, 2019
January 23, 2019, 05:45 AM - January 23, 2019, 07:45 AM UTC 
This week was the deadline of my first ever real grant application. It’s been pretty hard work, but in a strange way I’ve kind of enjoyed it. I get the impression from my senior colleagues that by the time you’ve written a whole bunch of grant proposals it gets less fun, but I’m still naive and optimistic! Well, I’m also a skeptic so I don’t actually expect it to be funded, but I’m hopeful enough to keep the process positive!
Mar 13, 2019
I was first introduced to coding when I attended an introductory bioinformatics workshop in 2014. Little did I know that this was the beginning of my transition from bench-work in the lab to bioinformatics. Although I was able to make the transition to the field of bioinformatics, I have to admit that I had a steep learning curve at the beginning.
Mar 11, 2019
I find that a great way to stay motivated is to find people whose work you find inspirational and use them as a benchmark for yourself. Personally, I admire a few scientists and I like to think of them as my superheroes. Incidentally, the researchers who inspire me to do better are all women! And here, I’d like to talk about some of these women scientists who have been doing phenomenal work despite adverse conditions.
Mar 8, 2019
Over 6000 full-text articles published in 23 Nature journals including Nature, Nature Medicine, and Nature Physics from November 2017 onward will be rolled out to relevant ResearchGate users’ profiles.
Mar 7, 2019
Editage's recently released Global Author Survey Report, based on the perspectives of almost 7000 researchers worldwide, highlighted the gravity and types of problems faced by researchers, especially those from non-Western, non–English-speaking countries. One of the major gaps evident throughout the survey findings was the lack of adequate educational resources and training for researchers, especially those in the early stages of their careers. Here, we explore some of the survey respondents views around this particular topic.
Mar 6, 2019
eLife's reproducible research paper will allow readers to change the underlying code and produce altered results to better understand the work presented in the research.
Mar 6, 2019
I had never realized how common it was to switch labs in graduate school. It is said that 20 to 30 percent of students end up switching, and as I thought of the people I knew who switched, I began to really believe those numbers.
Mar 6, 2019
Some words or phrases are ‘untranslatable’ as they are unique to a culture. Today, concepts of borders, boundaries and cultures have become more dynamic. These dynamic interactions and flexible boundaries constitute the translational space of world literature.
Mar 5, 2019
Tumor hypoxia, a characteristic feature of advanced solid tumors, is considered as a potential therapeutic problem for cancer therapy. Scientists at Dongguk University have put together an exhaustive summary of what we know about chemicals that inhibit the action of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a protein that is the master regulator of the tumor microenvironment. A better understanding of how these inhibitors work could be used to develop potent anti-cancer drugs that would increase the effectiveness of existing treatments.
Mar 5, 2019
China with its unprecedented scientific and technological growth is now one of the leading global scientific forces and is giving fierce competition to developed countries such as the U.S. This infographic tries to capture the recent trends and developments of the nation.
Mar 5, 2019
My alarm was set for 6am on Monday, 1st May, 2015 – my Viva day; but I was wide awake by 5am. The sun was shining so I took my dogs for a long walk while I contemplated the day ahead. I had plenty of time to get there, but I arrived at the university at about 8:30am, which in hindsight was silly. I was having coffee with one of my supervisors at 10am, but until then I swear the clock was going backwards.
Feb 28, 2019
Writing a persuasive grant application can be tricky for some researchers. To make sure you have all the help you need, we’ve created a comprehensive infographic listing 15 key tips to ensure that you write a winning grant proposal.
Feb 28, 2019
The shortest month of the year has just gone by, and yet, so much happened this month in the academic and scholarly publishing world! We’re sure you want to know it all, so read on!
Feb 27, 2019
Academic lemons i.e., deadlines, projects etc. will always grow. And they will eventually need to be dealt with. But there is really ever only one you, so it’s best to use those lemons to boost your immunity against whatever tries to your attack your mental health. Just like I did, or am.
Feb 26, 2019
Your research project must attempt to fill in a gap in knowledge to make a novel contribution to science. For your article get published in an influential journal, you must explore an unfathomed area of your research field. This article is your easy guide to identifying research gaps.
Feb 25, 2019
More US women leave science careers or work part time after starting a family as compared to men. Read this article to know how this study might be able to explain the under-representation of women in science-related jobs.
Feb 22, 2019
With only a few months left before applying to graduate school, I went to the Phage Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. I was very excited about it and was looking forward to the tons of great science-related discussions. Little did I know that a causal conversation at the conference would turn out to be the highlight of my science career.
Feb 22, 2019
If you asked me two years ago where I would be now, I never in a million years would have said sitting at my desk every week day reading journal articles and writing a proposal for an 80,000 word thesis. But guess what? That is exactly what I am doing and even crazier – I enjoy it!
Feb 19, 2019
When someone knocked on my door on a Tuesday morning—when I wasn't supposed to be in my office— I contemplated not answering. But I’m so glad I did because when I pulled the door open, Kyle, my first graduate advisee, was there with this knowing look. He had just gotten a very important call!
Feb 15, 2019
Are you unsure about what you should include in your grant proposal? Worried it might not be persuasive enough? This infographic lists 9 core parts that your grant proposal must contain in order to increase your chances of getting funded.
Feb 14, 2019
For decades, developed countries in the West have been the hubs of scientific and technological advancement, attracting talent across the globe. However, the R&D hotspots are no longer concentrated only in the West. In recent years, the trend is changing as more and more scientists from developing nations are choosing to return to their homeland to build their academic careers.
Feb 14, 2019
In collaboration with researchers in the USA and New Zealand, Dongguk University’s Professor Yung Kyun Choi has identified what influences young Koreans to share advertisements (ads) on social media. Social networking users are more likely to share promotional content with close friends than the general public. And among friends, sharing is more likely for picture ads of products that might be purchased sooner or textual ads of temporally distant purchases.
Feb 13, 2019
As you grow older, the questions that people ask you tend to change. Earlier, people would ask me, “What do you study?” But now, I’ve reached the stage where they’ve taken to asking – What do you do for a living? Working as a research assistant in the field of economics is, to say the least, not what they expect. The obvious question that follows is “Why?” And the answer is not that straightforward.
Feb 13, 2019
Mental health is, unfortunately, a ‘taboo’ topic within the research sphere. Quite often, you find that people don’t talk about this at all. Students don’t talk about it with their supervisors, with each other, and many times, they don’t even admit it to themselves if they feel that something is not quite right. I think this is a really important topic and I'd like to share my views on it here.
Feb 8, 2019
I wanted to write about my experience of simlutaneously being a PhD student and a parent. There are sacfricies - my children and partner see a little less of me but I am conscious that I am sometimes absent even when present as my thoughts wander away to an issue I’m struggling with in my PhD. This is tricky as I’ve made breakthroughs when my thoughts wander and so I value this, but also know my parenting is not active in these moments.
Feb 7, 2019
The longest government shutdown in the U.S. history has come to a temporary end but what impact has it had on the federal agencies in the country? Read on to know more.
Feb 4, 2019
When people asked me about my career goals, I would lie and say “I don’t know.” But that wasn’t my story. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I desperately wanted to be a professor at a major research university, but I couldn’t bring myself to say this because I was convinced that my goal was completely unattainable.
Feb 4, 2019
The first month of the New Year has already gone by! We hope you have had a great start. If you have been too busy to catch up with all the happenings in the academic publication and scholarly communication industry, you have arrived at the right place!
Jan 31, 2019
I am on Day 26 of continuous writing, with no respite. That, and in my ‘spare time,’ I’m undertaking another research job and grappling with a different university’s ethics process. Add to this that I decided to give up sugar, carbs and all good naughty things and to exercise 5 times a week. What was I thinking?
Jan 31, 2019
An international collaboration of Scientists at Dongguk University developed a novel nickel-based hydroxide compound that can be used as a powerful catalyst for the electrolysis of water. This material could be useful for developing renewable energy sources.
Jan 29, 2019
Scientists at Dongguk University (Prof. Ki Kang Kim) in collaboration with scientists from other institutes (KIST (Dr. Soo Mim Kim), Sungkyunkwan University (Prof. Young Hee Lee) found a method for synthesizing hexagonal boron nitride films with a nearly perfect single-crystalline structure. This structure consistently self-assembles on top of liquid gold and can be used as a platform for synthesizing other crystalline thin-film materials.
Jan 29, 2019
Choosing between the active and passive voice can be particularly confusing in academic writing. This article will help you understand how to make the appropriate choice between the active and passive in different sections of a manuscript.
Jan 29, 2019
Scientists at Dongguk University have found a way to create printed p-channel thin-film transistors by using the abundantly available and environmentally friendly copper(I) iodide semiconductor at room temperature. Their energy-efficient and cost-effective fabrication method for these transistors may pave the way for developing low-cost and novel optoelectronic devices.
Jan 28, 2019
Like many others who have traversed academia before me, my journey includes a lot of grappling with my own mental health. It is no secret that life as a graduate student is inherently challenging. And it’s worn down both my mental and physical health.
Jan 25, 2019
I am disabled, aren’t I? I was partially paralyzed for most of my childhood. I was infected with poliomyelitis when I was just one year old. Luckily for me, I recovered some of my physical ability after surgery, which I had when I was 11 years old. However, I couldn’t run, nor do any sports like my peers. This is my story of how I went from being a disabled person, to an economist working in disability research.
Jan 24, 2019
To help you make meaningful changes to your academic career in the New Year, we’ve come up with 6 simple but effective tips for you to explore this year. This infographic lists 6 ways in which you can enhance your academic career in 2019. It includes suggestions for developing a fresh perspective as well as exciting new action-oriented tasks that you can easily undertake.
Jan 22, 2019
My PhD is now completely wrapped up, and I can officially use the title Dr., so I get very excited about filling in forms. A postdoc is far more relaxing than a PhD, and far less existential. I know I’m only a few months in, but many of my colleagues hold a similar opinion.
Jan 17, 2019
Do you think research communication is important? How do you share your research findings? Share your views! 6000 researchers have shared theirs.
Jan 16, 2019
December 19, 2018, 09:30 AM - December 19, 2018, 10:30 AM UTC 
I feel that academic life is notoriously insecure. It seems like we’re constantly scrambling for grant funding, pushing manuscripts through the arduous process of peer review, and attempting to find pots of money to fund conference attendance so that we can leave our desks behind for a few days. So if academic life is so difficult, why do I do it?
Jan 15, 2019
I’ve been slowly writing bits and pieces of my dissertation for well over a year. While that might seem like a long time, it was mostly half an hour every morning before going to work. Writing a dissertation, a half-hour at a time, is a long process; way longer than a year. And this whole process has helped me realize three things.
Jan 14, 2019
Waking up at 5:30am every day and working sometimes 10 hours at a job I wasn't even passionate about was not working out for me and I wanted a change. My goal at that point? It changed from "publish a paper and get the PhD" to also include "build a life where I don’t dread any day of the week." What a dream!
Jan 11, 2019
Here are 50 motivational tips shared by our interviewees and guest contributors. Each tip presents a unique perspective and will help you stay driven and achieve all your academic resolutions in 2019.
Jan 10, 2019
I am not someone who needs to be surrounded by people. So last year when I applied to be on a professional doctorate programme, I wasn’t troubled when family and friends talked of long hours ‘doing the PhD’ by myself. Well, then I met Rachel. And from that point on, everything changed!
Jan 8, 2019
What are the types of biases faced by qualitative researchers? Are there any means to avoid them? This article will help you identify 7 different types of biases in qualitative research, making it easier to take preventive measures to avoid them as well.
Jan 3, 2019
Here are the top 20 posts that were most loved and read by Editage Insights readers in 2018. This list features articles on very interesting and thought-provoking topics and we're sure you would absolutely love browsing through them.
Jan 3, 2019
December 12, 2018, 09:30 AM - December 12, 2018, 10:30 AM UTC 
December 5, 2018, 19:00 PM - December 5, 2018, 21:00 PM UTC 
An entire month, and of course an entire year, has gone by! Some interesting discussions and conversations marked the month of December in the academic publishing and scholarly communication industry. If you’ve been too busy with your personal and professional duties to keep up with them, worry not! Our editorial team has curated some of the most notable of these discussions for you. So read on!
Dec 31, 2018
As a year-end special, we asked you to reflect on the year gone by and share with us your ‘2018 Academic Highlight’—that special moment or experience that stood out in your academic journey this year! And we were overwhelmed by the amazing highlights you shared with us. Take a look at some of the wonderful achievements of the Editage Insights community in the year 2018!
Dec 29, 2018
A few years ago, as part of my professional doctorate, I started a diary about my working life. I turned to my diary when things went wrong. And my diary entries were a powerful insight into my academic life, especially my role as a law clinic supervisor. There was just one problem. I wasn’t just writing about myself. My diary entries were entirely due to and dependent on the supervisory relationship I had with my students. Even though I didn’t name anyone in my diary, the more I wrote, the more I started to worry.
Dec 28, 2018
The U.S. government announced a partial shutdown for an indefinite period of time after failed negotiations on December 21 between lawmakers and the White House, which has the science community in the country concerned. Read on to find out the impact of this decision on the science agencies in the U.S.
Dec 27, 2018
The Max Planck Society of Germany, one of the largest research organizations in the world, announced that it will not renew its subscription with Elsevier as a gesture of its support to open access. The current contract will come to an end on December 31, after which Elsevier’s portfolio of journals will be unavailable to the society’s members. Read on to find out more.
Dec 25, 2018
Doing science, as I recall, wasn’t an ordained destiny I wished to pursue. As a kid, I was always driven by curiosity. I asked questions constantly and never held back as I explored other ways to express myself through art. The adults around me would often asked me innocently, “What would you want to be when you grow up?” As naive as I was, I had no clue.
Dec 24, 2018
November 2, 2018, 05:30 AM - November 2, 2018, 07:00 AM UTC 
When it comes to academic publishing, typically, researchers think of publishing original articles, which form the bulk of primary research articles. The research that falls into a somewhat less common category is secondary research. This article covers all the basics of secondary research.
Dec 21, 2018
Two weeks ago, I gave a talk to over 1200 people, and I almost quit a minute before I was on. I panicked. How could I carry that stage and all of those people’s time on my shoulders for the entire duration of my talk?
Dec 19, 2018
After almost four years of struggling, today, I handed in my PhD thesis. In only a few months, I will be a Doctor in Linguistics. But I can’t help but wonder – what have I really got to show for now
Dec 13, 2018
Since starting my PhD, I have found my new ‘pretending to sleep’ trick - which has now become ‘working on my research.’ I’m still pretty keen and motivated and actually do take every little opportunity to spend time on my study. Perhaps this keenness will fade in time but for now it’s a joy to spend time in my office.
Dec 13, 2018
I always knew there was something different about me. I was in 5th grade and I still had problems spelling my name. In exams where I had to write if the answer was “b” or “d” I could never tell the difference.
Dec 13, 2018
Most people only see the published papers and don’t know about the several rejections and revisions leading up to the final publication. So, here, I will give you an overview of my rejected manuscripts during my PhD.
Dec 13, 2018
Before I went back to school, I had a list of things I wanted to do outside of my research. I didn’t want to be one of those people who became so consumed with their research that they forgot how to live life. I laugh now because the thing that I feared was what happened to me.
Dec 13, 2018
A journal editor discovers an overlap between one of his journal’s published articles and two other articles published in different journals. The editor suspects that this is a case of salami slicing, What action does he take against this? Read on to find out more.
Dec 13, 2018
Now that you already know why I became the “Lousy Librarian” in the Twitter-sphere, I’d like to talk about the real world too – where I go through the day-to-day activities of my job as a librarian. I mean, it's pretty glamorous stuff, so if exciting tales of exotic adventures are among your triggers, you'd best avert your eyes.
Dec 12, 2018
Major funders and librarians in China have stated their intent to support and join Plan S, an initiative by a group of European funders to ensure that by 2020 all publicly funded research outcome is made freely accessible upon publication. Read on to know more.
Dec 11, 2018
The social sciences are often considered irrelevant as a field of study in India. So, when I decided to pursue the social sciences after completing my secondary education, instead of the hard sciences, I got questioning looks. But I promised myself that I’d never let any of this deter me.
Dec 11, 2018
As a young academic and visiting lecturer, I’m often asked by students, “How did you do it?” So here's a sneak-peek into my secrets; which are in fact, not really secrets at all.
Dec 11, 2018
When I arrived to assume my new position at Nagoya University, I was the sole parent of an infant. The university’s support measures failed to cover the needs of academics like me, whose jobs compel us to live separately from our partners.
Dec 7, 2018
In 2000, I earned a perfect score in my course paper on research methodology. This made me suspicious, because my paper could never have been a perfect 10. It may have been free from common grammatical and spelling errors, but it could not have perfectly complied with the rigours of research methodology of which I knew little. Unable to understand both the research and the methodology from my programme guide, I quit the institute in 2001. But I didn’t give up on research.
Dec 7, 2018
Editage has now released a new report highlighting geographic patterns in author attitudes toward open access publishing titled “Geographic Trends in Attitudes to Open Access: Findings from the Editage Global Author Survey 2018.” It takes a deeper look into the open access–specific data collected in the survey and showcases the views of authors from the seven most represented countries in the survey: China, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, India, the U.S.A., and the U.K. Read on to know more.
Dec 7, 2018
I started my PhD at my host University. Like anyone starting anything new, I was excited! I thought I would be making a ground-breaking discovery in two years and graduating in three and a half. I had everything planned out. It’s funny looking back now because I am in the third year of my PhD and I haven’t made any ground-breaking discoveries; in fact, half the time I’m asking myself, “What am I doing here?”
Dec 5, 2018
Unlike some people, going to the library wasn't something I dreaded. I actually liked it there. It was a haven full of possibilities, and musty smells, and squinty-eyed antisocial people. So when it became time to consider graduate school, something in me awakened and cried out, "I could be one of those squinty people!"
Dec 3, 2018
Here're some interesting discussions you may have missed this month– a unique disobedience award that rewards scientists for their contributions to society, a different perspective on gene editing, a journal that publishes controversial research papers, a perspective on citizen science, and the pros of cons of a journal editorial boards having an academic editor.
Nov 30, 2018
We’ve had several great conversations with you, the Editage Insights community! And each of these interactions have made us realize just how much you have to say, and how unique your academic journeys are. So we started reaching out to you and encouraged you to share with us stories and experiences from your academic journey. And we were simply amazed by the phenomenal response! Here, we present some of the great stories we received.
Nov 30, 2018
Many researchers struggle when it comes to writing literature review for their research paper. A literature review is a comprehensive overview of all the knowledge available on a specific topic till date. This article provides detailed guidelines and tips to write and structure your literature review perfectly.
Nov 29, 2018
The current era of medicine is witnessing a drastic shift in how the overall health care is perceived and practiced. From the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, the research and trend are shifting towards personalized treatments. So the question arises: How important is basic science research in the era of personalized medicine? Let us explore this in detail.
Nov 28, 2018
Editage has now released a new report highlighting geographic patterns in author attitudes toward open access publishing titled “Geographic Trends in Attitudes to Open Access: Findings from the Editage Global Author Survey 2018.” It takes a deeper look into the open access–specific data collected in the survey and showcases the views of authors from the seven most represented countries in the survey: China, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, India, the U.S.A., and the U.K. Read on to know more.
Nov 28, 2018
In the latest attempt to strengthen the scientific integrity of research produced by China, early this month, 41 Chinese organizations and departments issued a joint memorandum to set up a standard disciplinary system for academics and institutions who commit academic misconduct. Read on for more details.
Nov 28, 2018
Chinese researcher He Jiankui of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen has claimed to have created the world’s first genetically edited babies – twin girls, “Lulu” and “Nana.” This announcement has sparked global outcry and condemnation from both researchers and bioethicists. Read on to find out more.
Nov 28, 2018
As I often do when I have an important day, I woke up with butterflies and nausea. I arrived at the building I’m going to be based in feeling very nervous and sweaty after hiking up a few of the hills found on the campus at Exeter. I was greeted straight away and given a building induction; this put me at ease immediately. But I was still uncertain about what to expect next.
Nov 27, 2018
I started a full-time, tenure track position, and I felt I couldn’t complain about that much at work, so I turned to Twitter. At the outset, I didn’t expect this to be anything more than a way to blow off steam, to be honest. And I really wasn’t prepared for the virtual engagement that ensued.
Nov 27, 2018
The bottom-line line is that being a parent in academia can be difficult. On the one hand, those lucky enough to be on the tenure track usually have health insurance, parental leave, and a somewhat flexible schedule as long as one is willing to work nights and on vacation. On the other, I don’t think academics are ever totally “at home.”
Nov 27, 2018
While the findings of your study form the foreground of your research, it is equally important to establish the background of your study. This article covers the basics of writing the background and explains how it is different from the literature review.
Nov 27, 2018
My dream of a PhD was swanning about the department, being known by everyone, with little trinkets on my office desk. In reality, I was sitting with undergraduates in the University library, grumpily shuffling the pile of books and papers to fit around the computer, if someone decided to sit next to me. Thinking that my position was so special, I went straight to the Postgraduate Research Office and gave them a piece of my mind. It turned out to be a terrible mistake!
Nov 23, 2018
Consider this – great graphs will create a positive impression on journal editors, reviewers, and readers! Here're some tips to help you create powerful graphs that tell a compelling story of your research.
Nov 23, 2018
November 7, 2018, 11:00 AM - November 7, 2018, 13:00 PM UTC 
Let’s be honest; getting published is not typically a walk in the park and it might require a lot of extra work. You might think that you have already put enough time and effort into your thesis, so why go that extra mile and get it published? It's because this is the kind of commitment employers look for, and it will help you grow in tremendous ways. Here's why I decided to publish my Master's thesis.
Nov 19, 2018
Graduate school was a large immediate trigger for resurfacing my depression and anxiety which I had been able to manage for a few years in undergrad. I felt very alone, imposter syndrome was rampant, and I woke up every day feeling sick to my stomach with anxiety. Every day that I woke up, it was harder and harder to find a reason to get out of bed, stay in school, and on some days... finding a reason as to why I was alive at all.
Nov 13, 2018
As Editage Insights turns five years old, Clarinda Cerejo, Editor-in-Chief of the platform, shares her heartfelt emotions as she recounts the Editage Insights journey over the years.
Nov 12, 2018
November 29, 2018, 15:00 PM - November 29, 2018, 15:45 PM UTC Editage Insights completes five years today, on November 12, 2018. And we have several exciting activities planned for you. Here’s what you can expect during our anniversary month!
Nov 12, 2018
As an academic, I split my time between three major activities – research, teaching, and administration. Trying to keep these balanced and striving to excel, across the board, is a bit tricky at times. I’ll confess that some bits of my life are going reasonably well, but the pressure often keeps me awake at night. On reflection, this “pressure” is both externally and internally applied. Neither of which are easy to tackle, but perhaps if I share aloud...
Nov 12, 2018
Most of our research challenges are hard work and they require tenacity. We rarely solve problems with a single “lightbulb” moment. We might fictionalise the story afterwards, often romanticised in a journal paper which provides an unconscious narrative that “it was clear that A led to B which obviously led to C (if you are brilliant like us, obvs).” But I guess that this glorious sun-blessed orchard of discovery only looks “great” on paper...
Nov 12, 2018
Did you know that in 2018, around 3 million articles were published? That the accessibility to content is now at its record high today? The scholarly communication industry is dynamic and to understand it better, it is vital to keep pace with the latest trends and updates. The STM report published by the International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers is a great source of information for everyone involved in scholarly publishing. This article will present some of the most remarkable highlights of this report.
Nov 9, 2018
It’s 2008 and there I was, standing on a subway platform, in downtown Manhattan waiting for my train, not to board it… but to jump in front of it. Fresh out of family court, feeling tired and very much defeated after going in convinced that my days of physical, mental, financial, and sexual abuse were over. Standing there waiting to end my misery, I thought of a little boy who would grow up without his mom, then I thought maybe, just maybe, there’s more to life than this. After a few trains came by, I snapped out of it, turned around and walked away, but that was only the beginning...
Nov 9, 2018
At the beginning of my grad school career, I would relax the entire Saturday and save all my work for Sunday. But this did not work for me. I would spend too much time swimming in guilt over what I should have done and how little time I gave myself to do certain tasks. Eventually, I realized that I needed to revise my weekends to get most of my work out of the way early on, and to prevent my continual Sunday night panic. Here is what my PhD weekend looked like this week...
Nov 6, 2018
Looking back on my very short career so far in science I have realized that above all, one key to success is mentorship. This is especially true as a woman in science, as we truly do stand on the shoulders of the female scientists that came before us. I have been extraordinarily lucky to have fantastic mentorship throughout my studies and lab work which has also translated into my non-professional life. Because of this...
Nov 6, 2018
The month of October zoomed past us! If you were too busy to catch up with the interesting goings-on in academic publication and scholarly communications industry, our team of editors has you covered. We have curated some of the most exciting and thought-provoking conversations that transpired in this month. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and read!
Oct 31, 2018
Being a grad student is hard work, being a post-doc is hard work, being a professor is hard work. I remember the constant state of stress, lack of sleep, concerns about deadlines and massive workload I carried as a doc student. Now, looking back five years later...
Oct 31, 2018
My own road to PhD proved circuitous, rocky, and unpredictable. At many times, I felt utterly alone. I set my desktop background to a photo of my then 3-month old granddaughter captioned, “Are you getting your writing done, Nana?” I wanted to ensure that my personal universe shouted out to me “You CAN do this” each and every day.
Oct 30, 2018
I dropped out of my first PhD and, after a short break, enrolled for a PhD in malaria vector control. This was a really tough phase when I had to deal with a lot of stress and focus on not losing confidence in myself as a researcher.
Oct 29, 2018
Of course, I’ve had my manuscripts rejected! It’s very rare, almost unheard of, to get a letter from the editor saying, “We love your paper! We’ll publish it without any changes.”
Oct 29, 2018
I cannot compare my path with somebody who didn’t go through the same steps, because it would only lead me to self-pity and depression. I cannot despise my path either, because it has helped build my character and confidence.
Oct 29, 2018
Although the people around me would remind me that my achievements showed that I had what it takes to be a researcher, I wasn’t convinced.
Oct 29, 2018
While attending a distance learning library science program, I decided that I wanted to get the full experience. And that I wanted to be engaged with faculty to some extent. I played the academic game, as if I were enrolled in a doctoral program and asked a couple of the faculty in the department whether they had any research projects that they would like assistance with. This was a crucial first step in my academic journey.
Oct 29, 2018
Impostor syndrome isn’t a diagnosable thing, but it certainly impacts the way people view themselves…and I imagine those predisposed to mental health issues like depression and anxiety are more susceptible. I also deal with both of those things, to a degree. Here, I talk about the imposter syndrome and how it has affected me.
Oct 29, 2018
Librarianship was not always my intended career path. My original goal was to pursue a PhD in Social Psychology, but when I wasn’t accepted to a school with funding, I had to re-evaluate my career goals.
Oct 29, 2018
The transition from graduate school to semi-professional has been challenging. Although my social life is still vibrant, it doesn’t include as many people as it once did. I feel like this transition has caused me to lose much of my own identity, in a way, because I have always been a student. And so when I suddenly wasn’t a student anymore, I was forced to start fostering a new identity.
Oct 29, 2018
I created the @ProfessorJaded account for a series of different reasons. But initially, it primarily served as role-play for a fictional character. I considered writing a short-story about a jaded professor in April 2014 and decided to create an anonymous Twitter account where I could “research” the character. I abandoned the idea a few months later, but kept the Professor Jaded account alive just to see what would happen. And guess what? Within a month, it had more followers than my real account.
Oct 29, 2018
Imagine two instructors sitting around, working on a writing project, talking about students. They have taught so many classes that they have lost count. And they are frustrated. They are commiserating over students who don’t try, who won’t do the simplest thing, and yet complain about their grade and demand special consideration. But they sincerely want their students to succeed. In search of a safe outlet, one of them goes home, starts a Twitter account, and sends it to the other as a spur of the moment idea while cooking dinner.
Oct 29, 2018
I go by @AcerbicAcedemic or Bitter Professor on Twitter where I mostly give free reign to my thoughts about being a professor, and sometimes, about being a bitter professor. Just between us, I’m not that bitter in person. I love what I do. I love teaching. I love research. I love writing.
Oct 29, 2018
Shivanee Shah, Senior Publications Manager, Support Services, Editage, attended 2nd edition of the science communication conference called ScienceComm’18 India organized by Swissnex India in partnership with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and Science et Cite last week. She shares her experience and learnings in this insightful post.
Oct 25, 2018
Shivanee Shah, Senior Publications Manager, Support Services, Editage, attended 2nd edition of the science communication conference called ScienceComm’18 India organized by Swissnex India in partnership with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and Science et Cite last week. She shares her experience and learnings in this insightful post.
Oct 24, 2018
Open Access Week, a global event organized to make research more open, improve the visibility of scholarship, and accelerate research is just around the corner. The theme for OA Week 2018 spanning from October 22-28 is "designing equitable foundations for open knowledge." Read on to find out what we have planned for you.
Oct 19, 2018
October 25, 2018, 14:00 PM - October 25, 2018, 15:00 PM UTC 
Editage has released a comprehensive report showcasing the perspectives of academic authors on a broad range of topics related to scholarly publishing. This report is unique in that it captures the views of almost 7000 authors worldwide, with over 2000 of these being from China, the world's leading producer of research output. Read on to find out more.
Oct 10, 2018
Three researchers - Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, and Donna Strickland - were declared as winners of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics.
Oct 7, 2018
October 25, 2017, 11:00 AM - October 25, 2017, 16:00 PM UTC 
September 4, 2015, 12:00 PM - September 4, 2015, 13:00 PM UTC 
October 18, 2018, 05:30 AM - October 18, 2018, 06:30 AM UTC 
The month of September was exciting and stimulating for the scholarly communication and academic publishing community. The global celebration of Peer Review Week added another dimension to the thought-provoking discussions among academics. If you were too busy and are worried that you may have missed out on any interesting developments, we have you covered with a curated list of some of the most remarkable conversations this month. Happy reading!
Sep 30, 2018
Have you ever wondered whether chimpanzees in a zoo imitate human visitors? Or whether using voodoo dolls to retaliate against rude bosses is effective? This year’s winners of the Ig Nobel Prizes have studied these questions and many other interesting ones. These prizes celebrate unusual investigations and honor “research that makes people laugh and then think.” Find out who the winners of the 2018 Ig Nobel Prizes are.
Sep 27, 2018
Research can be broadly classified into two categories, qualitative research and quantitative research. Quantitative research answers questions like "how much," while qualitative research adresses questions like "how" and "why." Qualitative research is a broad umbrella, with various kinds of techniques and ways of conducting such research. This article helps you understand the many ways to carry out qualitative research.
Sep 25, 2018
Preeti Raghunath, a PhD student and Academic Research Specialist at Editage Insights, talks about how she didn’t wait to publish a journal article during her research but chose to make the most of the opportunities at hand instead.
Sep 21, 2018
A PhD is challenging and full of hard work. Read how Dr. Enitome Bafor struggled against all odds to successfully complete her PhD and how she continues to pursue her passion despite the challenges thrown her way.
Sep 21, 2018
Prof. Zabta Khan Shinwari, Secretary-General of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Chair of the Biotechnology Department of the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan, talks about his struggles as an aspiring researcher at home and abroad.
Sep 21, 2018
This story is an extract from an interview with Nobel Laureate Sir Tim Hunt, where he talks about how he missed an important step in his research and went on to make a major discovery after that.
Sep 21, 2018
This story has been shared by Sikander Shirazi, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, University of Karachi, Pakistan. Here, he talks about some of the most difficult phases of his life as a researcher.
Sep 21, 2018
This story has been shared by Dr. Shimin Du, an experienced researcher and published author from China. Dr. Du talks about the ups and downs of his journey as a researcher.
Sep 21, 2018
This story has been shared by Clarinda Cerejo (MSc, ELS), Editor-in-Chief of Editor Insights. Read on to follow Clarinda’s journey through biotechnology and music to her current destination, scholarly publishing.
Sep 21, 2018
This year, for Peer Review Week, the entire scholarly publishing community came together with gusto to celebrate the event and show their support for diversity in peer review. Feast your eyes on some of the biggest highlights and most popular discussions on social media during the week.
Sep 18, 2018
In Part 1 of the authorship series, we discussed criteria that will help you determine whether a particular contributor qualifies to be an author of your research paper. In this slide deck, we will discuss the basis on which you should list authors on your paper, who qualifies to be the first author, and how the remaining authors of your paper should be listed.
Sep 18, 2018
The Methods section of a research article is like a roadmap leading to the core of the research, guiding the readers through the actual journey the authors took to reach their destination. In the manuscript, this section contains the essential details for other scientists to replicate the experiments of the study and help the common readers to understand the study better. This article shares some tips to make the Methods section of your manuscript interesting and informative.
Sep 18, 2018
Ethical declarations in research form an integral part during the submission process of a manuscript to a journal. During the submission process, there are several questions and statements that you as the author need to respond to before submission. Let us look at all of these one-by-one.
Sep 18, 2018
If you want others to cite your paper, you should make sure they read it first. Let us assume that the title and the abstract of your paper have convinced your peers that they should see your paper. It is then the job of the Introduction section to ensure that they start reading it and keep reading it, to pull them in and to show them around as it were, guiding them to the other parts of the paper. This article tells you, with examples, what you should include in the Introduction and what you should leave out, and what reviewers and journal editors look for in this section.
Sep 18, 2018
Through the course of your research project, there will be several individuals who have made varied contributions. However, not all of these individuals can be considered as authors of your paper. This slide deck will clarify who is an author and who does not qualify as an author of your paper, and explain three unethical authorship-related practices that you must avoid.
Sep 17, 2018
Responding to peer reviewer comments can be a daunting task for most researchers. However, comments by peer reviewers and are meant to help you improve the qaulity of your manuscript. This slide deck has 14 tips that will help you confidently address peer reviewers comments and get you one step closer to publication.
Sep 17, 2018
Attempting to use the ideas, words, or work of another person, without giving them due credit, is known as plagiarism and is considered extremely unethical in academic publishing. This slide deck briefly explains 4 common types of plagiarism, how journals detect plagiarism in research papers, and the consequences of plagiarism.
Sep 17, 2018
Conducting research is a challenging and long-drawn process. You have to plan each step meticulously to ensure that you don’t leave out any important details. This infographic lists five important things you must do before and after your research.
Sep 16, 2018
Once you find a suitable journal for your manuscript, you have to format it as per the journal instructions and then submit it. However, you might encounter certain situations that may force you to withdraw your manuscript from the journal. This infographic lists and explains four common reasons for manuscript withdrawal.
Sep 16, 2018
Although peer review is a fundamental quality control measure implemented during the publishing process, the practice as we know it today is quite different from how it was envisioned almost two centuries ago. Check out this infographic to know more about how peer review changed over time.
Sep 16, 2018
Peer Review Week is one of the most exciting events for the scholarly community around the world. We hope you have been following Editage Insights’ Peer Review 2018 series where we have shared several interesting insights from industry professionals about this year’s theme: Diversity and inclusion. This year’s event is coming to a close and we wanted to capture some of the most interesting discussions around the theme of this year’s Peer Review Week. This post curates some interesting perceptions and opinions shared by industry professionals. Happy reading!
Sep 15, 2018
The work of peer reviewers can remain somewhat mysterious, particularly for the less experienced authors. To better understand the work of a reviewer, their decision making, and what they look for in their own review, Wolters Kluwer interviewed two expert reviewers who have collectively reviewed over 150 published papers. Read on to find out the intricacies of peer review.
Sep 14, 2018
As a researcher, it is important for you to have a clear idea about the different types of articles that journals publish. This will help you understand the ways in which you can disseminate your work and identify what kind of article would be suitable for your study. This podcast identifies 7 common types of articles and explains what each one entails.
Sep 14, 2018
The statement of the problem is a crucial part of a research proposal. It is therefore, very important to write a well-articulated and persuasive problem statement for your research proposal. However, many researchers find this task difficult. This podcast will teach you how write a problem statement in 3 easy steps.
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TrendingSep 14, 2018
Addressing peer reviewers’ comments can be quite stressful, particularly when the comments are exhaustive. But if you are well-prepared, this can be an enriching learning experience. This podcast provides you with 5 excellent tips to help you deal with peer review comments effectively.
Sep 14, 2018
Plagiarism is perhaps the most rampant form of academic misconduct and can lead to rejection. This podcast identifies 5 common types of plagiarism and provides some useful tips on how you can avoid accidental plagiarism.
Sep 14, 2018
The usage of tenses in a language as versatile as English can be confusing. The situation gets even more challenging while writing a scientific research paper. If you are often unsure about when to use which tense in your manuscript, this podcast is definitely for you! It not only explains when each tense is used, but also goes on to identify which parts of a research paper it is likely to be used in.
Sep 14, 2018
Often, authors come across situations in their publication journey when they are forced to consider withdrawing their manuscript from the journal. This podcast identifies some of the common reasons for manuscript withdrawal and explains the nitty-gritties of the withdrawal procedure.
Sep 14, 2018
Presenting at an academic conference is an important part of a researcher’s life, and is an opportunity that most young researchers look forward to. The key to a successful conference presentation is being well-prepared. This podcast will guide you on how you can make an effective presentation at your next academic conference.
Sep 14, 2018
Manuscript submission has surely become quicker and more efficient with the help of online submission systems. These submission systems have a tracking feature that helps authors track the progress of their manuscripts by the current status of the manuscript. However, these statuses can sometimes be difficult to comprehend and anxiety arousing for authors. This podcast will help you have a clear understanding of what different statuses mean and how you can understand what exactly is going on with your manuscript at the journal end.
Sep 14, 2018
An abstract is like a movie trailer. It offers a preview, highlights key points, and helps the audience decide whether to view the entire work. Abstracts are the pivot of a paper because many journal editorial boards screen manuscripts only on the basis of the abstract. This podcast provides some useful tips to help you write the most effective abstract for your paper.
Sep 14, 2018
One of the most important components of a research paper is its title. The title is the first thing readers, even the journal editor and reviewer, see when they come across a research paper. Not only should your title be attractive but it should also capture the essence of your research. This podcast will give you three great tips to help you write an excellent title for your research paper.
TrendingSep 14, 2018
While writing their research papers, many researchers are sligthly unclear about what they should include in the Results and Discussions sections. To effectively write both these sections you need to clearly understand the distinction between the two. This infographic explains the five main differences between these two sections of a manuscript.
TrendingSep 14, 2018
A research paper abstract help readers decide whether they would like to read your entire paper and helps journal editors decide if your paper is worth spending their time and money on. Since it plays such a decisive role in determining the fate of your paper, you need to write a persuasive abstract. This infographic contains 10 tips to help you write a brilliant abstract for your research paper.
Sep 14, 2018
John Butler Adam, Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Science (SAJS), shares his thoughts about diversity and inclusion in peer review in the South African context.
Sep 14, 2018
The title of your research paper helps readers and reviewers decide whether your paper covers the topic they are interested in. So you need to ensure that your paper’s title is attention-grabbing, interesting and clearly indicates what your research is about. This infographic contains 8 quick tips to help you write a great research paper title.
Sep 14, 2018
What is collaborative peer review? How does it work? Who is involved in this type of peer review? This flowchart will give you some quick insights into how collaborative peer review operates.
Sep 14, 2018
A statement of the problem helps you delineate and present the research problem you intend to address through your research project. This infographic lists 8 key characteristics you must keep in mind while writing a statement of the problem for your research.
Sep 13, 2018
Nitasha Devasar, Managing Director, Taylor & Francis, India and South Asia, shares what diversity in peer review means to her and about how journals can encourage and increase diversity and inclusion in their editorial boards, peer review pool, and author base.
Sep 13, 2018
Do you aspire to become a peer reviewer? Reviewing scientific literature can help you develop your writing and communication skills. Moreover, you will be able to keep up with and contribute to the developments in your area of research. If you are unsure of how to become a peer reviewer, here are some great tips.
Sep 13, 2018
What is double-blind peer review? How does it work? Who is involved in this type of peer review? This flowchart will provide you with a quick look at how double-blind peer review works.
Sep 12, 2018
Social media is a global form of communication that helps you reach a very widespread audience, and therefore, it is necessary to use correct grammar while writing on social media. Take a look at this infographic as it points out a few common made grammatical errors while writing for social media.
Sep 12, 2018
The Oxford Comma is one of the most common form of punctuation used while writing a research paper. Researchers are often left confused as to when it should be used. To write a grammatically correct manuscript with no errors it is important to understand the many uses of the comma. Check out this infographic to understand the pros and cons of using a comma.
Sep 12, 2018
What role do Early Career Researchers (ECRs) play in peer review? Gary McDowell, PhD, Executive Director of Future of Research, shares his perspectives on this topic.
Sep 12, 2018
What is single-blind peer review? How does it work? Who is involved in this type of peer review? This flowchart will give you some quick insights into how single-blind peer review operates.
Sep 11, 2018
Plagiarism is a serious issue in the field of research. Plagiarism is often accidently and can be tricky to identify. Take a look at the infographic to understand the difference ebtween paraphrasing and plagiarism.
Sep 11, 2018
Plagiarism is one of the most common reasons for journal rejection and is considered a highly unethical practice. As an author, if you are found guilty of plagiarism, you could stand to lose not only your reputation in scientific circles but also your standing in your academic career. This infographic briefly explains three techniques that you could employ to avoid plagiarism in your research paper.
Sep 11, 2018
A.Roxana Lescano, JD, and her colleagues (Hugo Garcia, MD, PhD; Carol Zavaleta, PhD (c); Valerie Paz Soldan, PhD; Estela Quiroz, MD; and Willy Lescano, PhD) share their collective views on how diversity in the peer review ecosystem can be achieved. Dr. Lescano is on the program committee of the 6th World Conference on Research Integrity to be held in Hong Kong, from 2-5 June 2019. The conference will focus on ways to influence or foster the responsible conduct of research and to emphasize the importance of discussing diversity in educational and training approaches.
Sep 11, 2018
Donald Samulack, President, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, talks about how the scholarly publishing industry needs to make concerted efforts to move toward greater inclusivity and diversity in peer review.
Sep 10, 2018
In keeping with the theme of Peer Review Week 2018, Carl Schiesser, former Professor of Chemistry at The University of Melbourne and current Director of Seleno Therapeutics Pty Ltd, shares his views on how diversity in peer review could be achieved.
Sep 10, 2018
This year, during Peer Review Week, the scholarly publishing world will be abuzz with discussions about diversity in peer review. To capture the essence of the theme, we spoke to an enthusiastic bunch of researchers and industry professionals to seek their views on what diversity and inclusion in peer review meant to them and how journals could become more inclusive. This post summarizes their thoughts.
Sep 10, 2018
Reviewing scientific literature can help you develop your writing and communication skills. Moreover, you will be able to keep up with and contribute to the developments in your area of research. If you’re a researcher looking to advance your career by taking on the responsibilities of peer reviewing, these tips will help you go about it with confidence!
Sep 10, 2018
A conflict of interest arises whenever there is any potential bias that could affect a researcher’s work. They are an inevitable part of an academic career and it is every researcher’s responsibility to identify potential or actual conflicts. This checklist will help you identify if what your facing is a conflict or not.
Sep 10, 2018
Becoming a peer reviwer is a job of great resposibility and one must look at a couple of things before conduting the review. Go through this checklist to make sure you are prepared before you start reviewing.
Sep 10, 2018
Conducting a thorough literature search can be quite tricky, especially if you don’t know where to look. Of the many available sources, Google Scholar is one of the tools you can use to aid your literature search. This search engine is very useful for finding previously published research papers in your field of study. But, unless used effectively, it might not always give you the desired results. Go through this checklist to make sure you’re using this search engine to its full capacity.
Sep 10, 2018
[This video was originally published by VCU Libraries on YouTube and has been republished here.]Getting published in a scholarly journal is important for researchers. But are you unsure about the kind of article you want to write? While most researchers aspire to publish original research articles, you can choose from other types of articles such as review articles, theoretical articles, editorials and more. This informative video takes you through the various types of articles you could publish based on what fits your current requirements.
Sep 7, 2018
[This video was originally published by Steve Kirk on YouTube and has been republished here.]This video takes you through the entire process of choosing information to presenting it in the form of tables and figures step wise.
Sep 7, 2018
[This video was originally published by Research Shorts on YouTube and has been republished here.]Systematic literature review is necessary while performing secondary research. Systematic literature review searches, identifies, selects, appraises, and synthesizes research evidence relevant to the question using methodology that is explicit, reproducible, and leads to minimum bias. Systematic review assesses literature that answers a clearly formulated question. Watch this video to understand the distinction between literature review and systematic literature review and the various ways to conduct a successful systematic review.
Sep 7, 2018
[This video was originally published by Steve Kirk on YouTube and has been republished here.]Watch this video to learn some great tips and tricks to write your results in a compelling way.
Sep 7, 2018
[This video was originally published by jbstatistics on YouTube and has been republished here.]Does the concept of p-value confuse you? P-value is the measure of the strength of the evidence with respect to the null hypothesis. Many researchers find it challenging to understand the nuances of p-value and their usage. Although the use of p-values is debated by researchers, many believe that they can be useful if understood and used appropriately. Watch this video to understand what the basic concepts related to p-value explained with simple examples.
Sep 7, 2018
[This video was originally published by Australian Council For International Developement (ACFID) on YouTube and has been republished here.]Ethical principles and guidelines form an indivisible part of conducting research. Therefore, it is important that every researcher is aware of the ethical considerations that need to be taken into account while undertaking a research project. Many researchers face ethical dilemmas and some even face journal rejection or retraction due to lack of adherence to ethical guidelines. Watch this video for a simple explanation of the core ethical principles and their application.
Sep 7, 2018
[This video was originally published by Patricia Morton on YouTube and has been republished here.]Authorship in a scholarly publication can be a rather confusing concept, especially for early career researchers. As most research is conducted collaboratively, it is important that you understand the ethical aspects of authorship to avoid authorship related conflicts and frauds. This video by the University of Utah, presented by Patricia Morton, takes you through the basics of authorship and conflicts that arise along with ways to avoid them. Watch this video to understand what you need to consider while initiating a multi-authored project.
Sep 6, 2018
[This video was originally published by UTMLibrary on YouTube and has been republished here.]Do you know the difference between a reference and a citation? Watch this video as it takes you through simple definitions citations and references.
Sep 6, 2018
[This video was originally published by libncsu on YouTube and has been republished here.]This video explains the peer review process while demonstrating the entire publication process in a simple manner. Watch it to improve your understanding of peer review.
Sep 6, 2018
[This video was originally published by Henry Bwisa on YouTube and has been republished here.]Have you decided on your research question? If yes, your next step would be to articulate it in the form of a problem statement. A statement of problem defines the cause that your research is working towards. It highlights a knowledge gap or gap between the real/current state and the ideal state. Many authors find it challenging to organize and express their ideas. To help you with writing the statement of the problem, this video prepared and presented by Prof. Henry Bwisa takes you through three simple and easy-to-follow steps that will help you write your problem statement without hassles.
Sep 6, 2018
The month of August was remarkable for the scholarly communication and academic publishing community. Several important discussions around preprints, use of animals in research, about the job prospects of Ph.D. students, and more took place. If you have been too busy to catch up with these, you need not worry. We have you covered! Below is a list of some of the most interesting developments and conversations. Happy reading!
Sep 1, 2018
Gail Schofield, marine ecologist at the Centre for Integrative Ecology at Deakin University, shares a unique perspective on diversity in peer review.
Aug 28, 2018
Peer Review Week 2018 is drawing closer (September 10 to 15) and we can barely contain our excitement! Being staunch supporters and one of the organizing committee members of this event, we have planned several exciting activities throughout the week. And we want you join us and get the best of this global event. Read on to get a sneak peek into some of the things that we have in store for you.
Aug 27, 2018
For nineteen months since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, the position of the leader of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has remained unoccupied. Now the President will be nominating meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier as the science advisor. Read more about the candidate and what other researchers feel about his nomination.
Aug 13, 2018
The International Mathematical Union announced the winners of the 2018 Fields Medal, one the most prestigious prizes in mathematics. Awarded every four years, it is bestowed on mathematicians 40 years old or younger for their contribution to mathematics. Read on to find out who are this year's winners.
Aug 6, 2018
Predatory behavior is growing rapidly in the publishing industry: it is no longer just the predatory journals and publishers; even predatory conferences are on the rise. Organized by for-profit companies, researchers are duped into paying hefty sums for attending these poor-quality conferences. This case study narrates the story of one such researcher who fell prey to a predatory conference.
Aug 2, 2018
Hasn’t July been a busy month on the scholarly communication and academic publishing front? We know it may not have been easy to catch up with all the happenings. From discussions about gender disparity in the field of academia to the relationship between science and politics, a lot has transpired! But don’t worry; we have you all covered. Let’s plunge straight into the some of the most interesting conversations of this month! Happy reading!
Jul 31, 2018
When conducting literature search, do you feel uncertain about a source’s authenticity and credibility? In this article, we focus on identifying ‘scholarly’ sources for obtaining reliable information to be presented for academic work such as class assignments, dissertation, or thesis writing.
Jul 31, 2018
Contributing to the science of nursing helps advance the nursing profession and improve patient outcomes. Essential to this success is encouragement of and support for ethical health research and authorship. Plagiarism, whether in a report, journal manuscript, grant proposal, or term paper, violates the trust between reader and author. If words or ideas have been borrowed from others (or even from an author’s previous work), the reader assumes that an ethical author will disclose that information. This article discusses plagiarism in publishing and research settings and examines why it’s a professional nursing concern, and how you can avoid self-plagiarism in your work.
Jul 31, 2018
This month, German and Swedish academic institutions lost access to the latest Elsevier publications after the negotiations over high subscription fees and an open access agreement came to a standstill. Read on to find out all the details of this latest development.
Jul 30, 2018
YouTube can be a great source of engaging science-related videos if you know where to look. This article lists the top 20 most fascinating YouTube channels for researchers and science buffs. This list has something for everyone – whether you’re fascinated by physics, captivated by chemistry, or astounded by the wonders of astronomy.
Jul 30, 2018
Most new authors find it challenging to deal with peer reviewer comments and respond to them. This article focuses on coaching new authors through the process so that they can achieve their publication goals and mentor others in the process.
Jul 28, 2018
An Indian news media publishing company has uncovered a large and thriving market of questionable publishers and journals in India. According to an investigation, over 300 predatory publishers operate hundreds of journals in India. Read on to find out more.
Jul 23, 2018
Are you as excited for Peer Review Week 2018 as we are? This global event is dedicated to encouraging discussions about peer review. The theme for this year’s Peer Review Week is “Diversity and Inclusion.” Editage Insights is one of the Organizing Committee Members of Peer Review Week 2018, and we will be involved in several exciting activities throughout the Peer Review Week 2018 that spans from September 10 to 15. We want you to join us in celebrating this event!
Jul 20, 2018
East Asia has emerged as an important science hub, and risen to a position where it is competing directly with the countries that have made science investment their priority. This article summarizes the key points highlighted in the Nature article that takes an in-depth look at the science in East Asia.
Jul 17, 2018
Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work as your own and is considered absolutely wrong. Plagiarism can be interntional as well as intentional. Take a look at this inforgraohic as it debunks the various myths linked to plagiarism.
Jul 6, 2018
You’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears, along with countless hours into your dissertation and it’s nearly ready for its final hand-in. However, you want your dissertation to be the best it can possibly be, and you don’t want to miss any mistakes that you could have corrected. This means you’re going to have to proofread your dissertation. This article presents 8 easy-to-follow tips and tricks to make your dissertation or even your research paper free of proofread errors.
Jul 6, 2018
No one prepared me for the worst possible outcome of a dissertation defense: Failure. Yet, after waiting outside in the hallway for over 90 minutes, I was certain of it. My advisor summoned me back into the room with a wave of the arm as he shook his head and glibly said, “You’re going to have to do it again.”
Jul 6, 2018
It is often daunting to write a good scientific manuscript that not only conveys your scientific accomplishments but also conveys them in a manner that is interesting and exciting to readers. For some, writing is an easy task; for others, it is a Herculean one. This article provides five actionable tips that will assist you in writing a reader-friendly manuscript.
Jul 5, 2018
Imagine that you have working tirelessly on a grant proposal keeping all the other work aside, and sent the proposal with a lot of hope. And then you are communicated that your proposal was rejected! This can be extremely disappointing. To avoid your grant proposal from being rejected, this article provides you with all the basic knowledge about grant proposals along with some great tips.
Jul 4, 2018
Do you know what the scholarly publishing industry was talking about in June 2018? We've curated for you an interesting mix of some great discussions about research and publishing. The topics in this edition include: peer review, the impact factor, Europe’s OA 2020 mission, China’s unique five-structure system, a recent image manipulation discovery, and tips for postdocs. Read on and stay updated!
Jul 2, 2018
An author’s degree of contribution to a study can sometimes be identified by the order in which the names appear in the byline of the publication, but it is usually very difficult to discern. The Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT) aims to solve this problem by identifying levels of author contribution using a series of predefined roles, such as Conceptualization, Data Curation, Writing, and more. In Editorial Manager, journals have the option to request, or even require, authors to designate CRediT contributor roles during manuscript submission. This article examines the use of Editorial Manager’s CRediT integration by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and the impact on its authors and journals.
Jun 27, 2018
On June 26, Clarivate Analytics released the highly anticipated 2018 Journal Citation Reports (JCR). According to the press release, the latest edition “incorporates new analyses” that provide a deeper insight to the scientific community about journal performance. Read on to know some noteworthy highlights of the 2018 edition of the JCR.
Jun 27, 2018
An inspiring post in which an early-career researcher narrates her personal story and takes us through the ups and downs of her on-going journey as a PhD student. She also shares some valuable life lessons she picked up along the way.
Jun 26, 2018
In this post, guest author Fouzia Nawaz talks about the concept of academic resilience and what it means in the academic research and publishing world. She also shares some tips to help you build academic resilience and become a successful researcher.
Jun 25, 2018
Around 600 members of U.S. scientific community, including 4 Nobel Laureates, have signed a letter that urges research institutions in the country to be more transparent and open with their animal research. The main intent behind this initiative is to respond to the backlash that animal studies are facing. Read the article to know more about this initiative.
Jun 22, 2018
While it was known that the U.S. was planning to revamp its policy around visas for Chinese students, earlier this month the new policy was confirmed during a hearing on student visas. Read on to find out all the details of the policy and academics' reaction to the development.
Jun 20, 2018
We are witnessing a boom in science publications that is both exciting and concerning. Is this deluge in publications taking us closer to unravelling unsolved problems? Or is it leading to a situation where finding relevant literature is like finding needle in a haystack? The article titled Research deluge — are researchers writing more yet contributing less? published as a guest post in Scholarly Kitchen explores concerning aspects around the exponential growth in the volume of publication in the recent years.
Jun 13, 2018
The Editage Insights team developed a large-scale survey entitled “Author perspectives on the academic publishing process” to understand the viewpoints of authors on various aspects of academic publishing and the challenges they face. Based on the interim results drawn from 5,293 survey responses, the paper Authors’ perspectives on academic publishing: initial observations from a large-scale global survey published in Science Editing presents some interesting and thought-provoking trends that were observed in the authors’ responses.
Jun 13, 2018
If you are looking for help in writing your research paper and want all the resources you need at one go, you've come to the right place! We have put together a curation on the norms and ways of academic and research writing to help you in tackling your everyday tryst with the world of academia and research. Find all aspects of writing a research paper covered, including ethical considerations, style and formatting guidelines, structure of the paper, and more.
Jun 5, 2018
The month of May has rushed past us, and a lot has transpired on the scholarly communication and academic publishing front. If you have been too busy to catch the buzz, do not worry! Our excellent editorial team has you covered. This month, conversations around the lack of reproducibility, challenges faced by researchers who move abroad, issues that libraries around the world are facing, and more such topics gained traction. So here’s a curated list of the most interesting discussions of this month. Happy reading!
May 31, 2018
China, one of the leading countries in scientific research, is working proactively to ensure that the researchers in the country abide by the highest standards of academic integrity. On May 30, 2018, the ruling Communist Party and the State Council issued new guidelines according to which the conduct of scientists and institutions would be recorded and assessed for academic integrity. Read on to find out what these rules constitute.
May 31, 2018
The conflict between publishers and consortia around the world is showing no signs of ending. After the consortia (including universities and libraries) in Germany, France, and the Netherlands failed to renew their contracts with academic publishers, the Bibsam Consortium in Sweden became the most recent addition to this list. Read on to know why Sweden declared that it will not renew the agreement.
May 28, 2018
Many authors consider lab work easier than writing a research paper. The main challenges they face while doing the latter include structuring the research paper and following the relevant style conventions. Apart from this, authors are often confused about the language to be used in scientific papers and look for guidebooks or learning courses on the topic. One such resource is the International Society for Optics and Photonics’ (SPIE’s) guidebook for students and faculty in science and engineering.
May 24, 2018
Editage announced the launch of Ada, an Automated Document Assessment solution specifically designed to assess scientific content in research papers. Ada automatically assesses the quality of a submitted research manuscript vis-à-vis its readability and adherence to certain ethical requirements, saving time and effort required at multiple stages of the publication process. Unlike other automated assessment tools, Ada has specifically been designed to assess scientific content and offers unmatched levels of customization.
May 24, 2018
Our guest authors are passionate about research and its communication – so passionate that they turn into composers! Here’s a short poem on academic writing from one of our guest authors that shares some tips to help you create a well-written manuscript.
May 21, 2018
Although statistics is one of the primary tools of biomedical research, its misuse and abuse, whether intentional or unintentional, is widespread. It is, in fact, increasingly being identified as one of the chief factors for manuscript rejection. This article looks closely at the reasons behind misuse of statistics and ways to fix this widespread problem in biomedical research.
May 21, 2018
The first and most important step in any research is to identify and delineate the research problem. However, many researchers find this task difficult. This article is a step-by-step guide to writing a statement of the problem for your research proposal.
May 15, 2018
On May 8, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal. The White House mentioned that it intends to reimpose strict economic sanctions that are targeted “to wind down operations in or business involving Iran.” As many across the globe are expressing their concerns and opinions on this development, the scientific community too is speculating the repercussions of this decision on the future of science. Before looking at what some of these speculations are, it is important to understand this development better. Keep reading!
May 11, 2018
Last month, academic Twitter was abuzz with conversations around topics such as Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, the March for Science Movement, and the contribution of libraries and librarians across the U.S. If you’ve been too busy to stay on top of these discussions, here’s a quick roundup of some interesting conversations that the scholarly community was having on Twitter in April.
May 9, 2018
Late last month, North Korea vowed to shut down its nuclear test site, and the diplomatic talks that followed this move hinted at improved inter-Korea relations. These developments have led to optimistic speculations that North Korea might now take an interest in pursuing scientific endeavors more actively and improve its presence in international science.
May 7, 2018
A published paper is not the end, but a means to the larger picture – the actual research itself – which is broader in scope than the paper. This post talks about the how the propositions in research do not cease to exist once a theory is supported or when a paper is published and how researchers can ensure that their work can be replicated.
May 4, 2018
March 26, 2018, 11:00 AM - March 26, 2018, 12:00 PM UTC 
Do you know what the scholarly community was talking about this month? Our team of editors has compiled a list of the some great posts from around the web that include trending discussions on “zombie” papers, depression among researchers, fake acceptance letters from journals, and how competition and “Nobel lust” affects researchers’ choices.
Apr 30, 2018
You have been working hard on your research project for months and the data it has generated are promising. You feel now is the right time to start writing your first research paper, but you have been putting the task off. You don’t know where or how to begin writing your manuscript. Sounds familiar? If you are embarking on the task of writing your very first paper, here are a few tips to start you off.
Apr 30, 2018
Academic blogs are a great way to pick up chatter about what’s brewing in scholarly publishing and what researchers think about specific aspects of academia. They are also a great source of essential tips and guidance for researchers and PhD students as they advance through their academic careers. This article lists 40 popular academic blogs that every researcher and PhD student needs to read!
Apr 27, 2018
The foundation of every clinical trial is a clinical protocol. It is an important document that describes in detail all the crucial elements of the research. In fact, having a clear and well-designed clinical trial protocol is essential before the initiation of a clinical trial. This article indicates the three signs of poorly designed clinical trials that researchers should be aware of before designing their clinical trial protocol.
Apr 26, 2018
Managing research data is integral to the successful completion of the research project at hand. This article takes you through some of the key aspects of data management for researchers and provides actionable tips to ensure that your crucial research data remains secure.
Apr 24, 2018
Editage is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to East Asian journal editors to be a part of the ISMTE 2018 North American Conference (August 2-3, Baltimore, Maryland) or ISMTE 2018 European Conference (November 8, London, UK) through travel grants that cover the conference registration fee. Read more to know how you can get a chance to attend an ISMTE conference in 2018.
Apr 19, 2018
Most journals require authors to submit a cover letter along with each manuscript submitted for publication. Unfortunately, few authors are aware of the actual impact that a cover letter can have on the acceptance of their manuscript. Read on to find out how to make an impact with an effective cover letter.
Apr 18, 2018
Google Scholar is a tool researchers commonly use for conducting literature searches. This post shares eight great tips to help make your Google Scholar search more effective.
Apr 18, 2018
The Indian government recently announced the drafting of a policy, which includes a four-tier system, to penalize researchers engaging in academic plagiarism. This announcement has elicited mixed responses among researchers, some applauding the country’s first attempt to hold researchers accountable for research misconduct, some viewing it skeptically, and some others declaring it inaccurate. Read on to find more details.
Apr 13, 2018
March 26, 2018, 11:00 AM - March 30, 2018, 11:00 AM UTC 
China has announced the adoption of new measures that will require all researchers in the country to share the data they generate on national repositories. Read on to find out the highlights and possible repercussions of the mandate.
Apr 11, 2018
Editage Insights' Editor-in-Chief Clarinda Cerejo attended the 2018 Asian-Pacific Conference of the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors on March 26-27, 2018, at Singapore. Here, she captures some of the highlights from sessions at the conference and live video clips of interesting conversations with conference speakers and attendees.
Apr 10, 2018
February 22, 2018, 11:00 AM - February 22, 2018, 12:00 PM UTC 
In March 2018, academic Twitter was buzzing with hashtags and conversations around topics such as International Women’s Day and the need for presenting a more current and realistic image of what scientists of today look like! Apart from this, academics and non-academics alike tweeted to pay tribute to Dr. Stephen Hawking who passed away earlier this month. We’ve followed several hashtags and trends throughout the month to give you this quick roundup of academic discussions on Twitter you may have missed in March.
Mar 29, 2018
March has been an eventful month for the scholarly publishing community. Tributes poured in from all parts of the world when the news of the demise of Dr. Stephen Hawking broke. In addition, several developments were discussed by the academic publishing community, such as how the irreproducibility issues may not be crisis, open access could be the future of research and publishing, and how children visualize scientists. This month we bring you these discussions as well as some interesting posts on how researchers can advance their careers by creating a great CV and networking.
Mar 29, 2018
This post clarifies the role and nature of animal ethics boards or regulatory bodies that set down regulations to help ensure humane and ethical treatment of animals in research. It also shares some tips for you to write up your research proposal for an ethics board.
Mar 27, 2018
Canadian-American mathematician Robert P. Langlands has been awarded the 2018 Abel Prize for introducing a theory that would bring together diverse areas of mathematics. Read on to know the reasons behind Langlands being chosen over 100 other candidates.
Mar 23, 2018
A series of unplanned events led me to a copy of Charlie Munger’s famous speech titled “The Psychology of Human Misjudgment” and got my brain whirring. In the speech he lists “24 Standard Causes of Human Misjudgment.” As someone who handles research manuscripts for a profession, the concepts Munger discusses in his speech made me think of their possible applications in research. So in this article, I want to present the three mistakes that researchers should be mindful of.
Mar 22, 2018
Stephen W. Hawking, the scientist who captured the world’s imagination with his genius mind and exceptional grit, died at the age of 76 on March 14. While battling a rare, progressive neurological disease for a good part of his life, Dr. Hawking shaped the field of cosmology and went on to become one of the most well-known scientists in the world.
Mar 20, 2018
China is poised for yet another phase of changes in its science policy. Top political leaders in the country are busy holding the two most important assemblies of the year. Read on to find out the science community's expectations about the outcome of these meetings.
Mar 16, 2018
Research in many subject areas or fields involves the collection, archiving, and analysis of large amounts of data. From graduate students to veteran professors, laboratory notebooks are the holy grail to note anything and everything that occurs in their research. However, written notes can become inconvenient quickly. Riffyn is a powerful tool designed to unite research protocols, experimental parameters, and research results in one place to provide a comprehensive view of the whole experiment or of the entire research. Read on to know all you need to know about Riffyn.
Mar 12, 2018
Do you know what journal editors want from you? In this post a journal editor talks about how the predatory publishing and academic hijacking are very much like street crime. Read on to know what you should do if your paper is being held hostage by a predatory journal.
Mar 12, 2018
Just about two weeks to go for the 2018 Asian-Pacific conference of the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors (ISMTE), and we sure are looking forward to it! One of the first of the spring conferences in scholarly publishing for 2018, the ISMTE Asian-Pacific conference offers a wonderful opportunity to mingle with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Read on to know the details of the conference and how to register.
Mar 11, 2018
The world of academia has caught the social media bug. Academics across varying career stages have taken to using Twitter to share a variety of messages, both professional and personal. We want to ensure that you stay on top of the world of academia by following trending hashtags and related discussions. This post provides you a quick roundup of academic discussions on Twitter you may have missed in February.
Feb 28, 2018
Although the month of February is typically shorter, there has been no dearth in the buzz in the scholarly world. From trending discussions around the definition of the concept of “excellence” and the presence of “disability bias” in peer review to raising a concern about the transparency in research communication and more, a lot has transpired. If you have been keeping too busy to follow all the latest tidbits, here is a list of articles that cover the latest goings-on in the industry. Happy reading!
Feb 28, 2018
Academia has traditionally been perceived as a dull world that has no room for humour and fun. But such an opinion is far from the truth. Putting such misconceptions to rest, this article lists 27 of the most hilarious academics on Twitter. Each of these Twitter accounts will bring out the silly, quirky, and fun side of academia, introducing you to a space on Twitter where academics can be casual, friendly, and humorous.
Feb 28, 2018
PaperHive is a free web platform for researchers to transform reading of scientific research articles into a social and active collaboration. Understand how you can benefit from using this tool and and find a step-by-step explantion on how to use the tool.
Feb 27, 2018
Sci-Hub, the site that provides free access to pirated academic papers, hit a bumpy road last year when it was ordered to pay damages worth $15 million to Elsevier and lost a lawsuit against American Chemical Society (ACS). Despite being ordered to shut down, Sci-Hub continues to operate through various domains and is increasingly attracting more traffic.
Feb 27, 2018
February 22, 2018, 03:00 AM - February 22, 2018, 03:00 AM UTC 
Some stakeholders of scientific research believe that the problems that plague scientific research and scholarly communication can be resolved to a large extent with the adoption of blockchain. Late last year, Digital Science published a report Blockchain for Research: Perspectives on a New Paradigm for Scholarly Communication that explores how blockchain could help overcome the challenges the publishing industry and scholarly communication is facing. This article provides an overview of the report, highlighting the most interesting points of discussion that lead to the question of whether blockchain could be embraced by scholarly communication.
Feb 23, 2018
Before using animals for an experiment, you need to get approvals from relevant regulatory bodies and ethics boards. These bodies help ensure that animals used in research are handled ethically with respect and care. This article explains how federal and local or institutional animal research regulatory bodies function. Knowing this will help you prepare for your research on animals.
Feb 22, 2018
For many, postdoctoral life coincides with taking on new personal responsibilities that may include starting a family, buying a house, or paying off student loans. A postdoctoral position is typically a stepping stone to a future tenure track faculty position. While it may seem an extension of a PhD graduate regime, the challenge lies in managing the additional professional responsibilities along with the personal ones. This article will provide some practical tips
Feb 22, 2018
Did you know that most comma errors you make in while writing your research paper could be easily avoided? This infographic shows the top six comma errors authors frequently make while writing research papers. As a bonus, we’ve also added a bunch of research-related examples to help you understand how you can avoid these errors when writing your manuscript.
Feb 9, 2018
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced earlier this month that it plans to discontinue the PubMed Commons service from February 15, 2018 due to low engagement and usage. Read on to know the details of this development.
Feb 8, 2018
In writing a research paper, you mention, or cite, papers written by other researchers. For example, instead of describing in detail the method you used, you simply provide a reference to a paper that offers the required description in detail; when you make a claim, you need to support it by citing publications. But how exactly do you cite, or refer to, another paper? Two of the most popularly used styles of citation in research papers are Vancouver style and Harvard style. This article focuses on these styles and provides tips on getting them right.
Feb 5, 2018
This month, we have a great round-up of articles that deals with many complex issues such as academic moonlighters and discipline-hopping as well as negative attitudes toward legitimate scientific criticism on the part of researchers.
Jan 31, 2018
Is getting published in a journal one of your goals for this year? Publishing in journals is vital for researchers, but the path to publication can be arduous if you do not plan well. To help you attain your goals, this article will provide a step-by-step process to help you create your own publication schedule, and make you aware of the possible outcomes after you submit your manuscript to a journal. So get ready to attain your publication goals!
Jan 30, 2018
According to 2018 Science & Engineering Indicators, a report published by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), China has left the U.S. behind to become the largest producer of scientific articles. Over the last few years, the volume of publications in China has increased exponentially; and it had been trailing the U.S. with regard to the number of publications. Find out more details on the areas where China is leading and those in which it is trailing the U.S.
Jan 24, 2018
This interactive infographic will provide you with a step-by-step cheat sheet of how to cite a journal article in the APA style. It will systematically explain which elements of each source you must include in your reference list and also the sequence in which they must appear.
Jan 23, 2018
A consortium of 300 South Korean universities and college libraries has reached an agreement with publishing giant Elsevier after long negotiations and a series of disagreements. However, the consortium has clarified that it is not completely satisfied with the newer rates as well. Read on to find details on the terms of the agreement and how South Korea plans to negotiate for a better deal.
Jan 19, 2018
A strong ‘gatekeeper bias’ could trap researchers from countries like India in a vicious cycle that keeps them from securing more money or availing important opportunities, says Sarah Iqbal, a senior research fellow at the department of biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, India.
Jan 15, 2018
At the beginning of each scholarly article, beneath the title, is a list of the authors. We get so used to writing our name, together with the names of our co-authors that we seldom give it much thought. Being listed as the author - or one of the authors - of a published paper is important for your credibility as a researcher; you are judged by the number and quality of your publications. They help you to advance in your profession, to secure research funding, and with invitations to contribute to conferences.
Jan 15, 2018
EuroScience and Editage announced partnership wherein Editage will provide the winners of the European Young Researchers Awards with a package of support services aimed at disseminating scientific research in enhanced content formats such as videos and infographics.
Jan 15, 2018
November 29, 2017, 11:00 AM - December 11, 2017, 11:00 AM UTC 
The previous post explained the main duties of the corresponding author before a manuscript is submitted to the journal. This post talks about what a corresponding author should do after manuscript submission and who should be the corresponding author for a manuscript.
Jan 11, 2018
The postdoctoral period is the springboard for an early career researcher before plunging into the independent scientific career. Therefore, finding the right mentor is crucial in culminating the postdoctoral period into a rewarding career move as well as a satisfying learning experience. This article provides tips and guidelines to help you make an informed choice before accepting a position in any lab.
Jan 11, 2018
The role of a corresponding author is an important one in the publication process. This post gives you a brief idea of what it means to be a corresponding author of a study and what you need to do before submitting the paper to the journal.
Jan 2, 2018
In our drive to bring you the best resources to boost your career progression and add to your bank of knowledge, we published close to 600 content pieces throughout 2017. These include interviews, articles, Q&As, quizzes, and more. This content is based exclusively on your, i.e., our readers’ needs and areas of interest. But aren’t you curious about the content that was read the most? Here are the top 10 posts that were widely read and shared by the Editage Insights community in 2017.
Dec 30, 2017
This month, our editors have curated a list of some of the most exciting discussions in the academic publishing community. These revolve around topics as diverse as peer review, collaborations between academia and industry, the increasing cost of accessing research, and a lot more. Hope you enjoy reading these snippets!
Dec 30, 2017
2017 was an eventful year for everyone in academic publishing. The year witnessed many trend-setting changes and new practices, keeping many of us on our toes. Throughout the year, we interviewed many thought leaders in the scholarly publishing industry to get a sense of their views on these trends and changes. In this SlideShare presentation, we bring you extracts from their interviews and the advice they shared to help you. Did you find these extracts useful? Was there any one which particularly stood out for you? We’d love you hear from you! If you’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with us, please post them in the comments section below.
Dec 30, 2017
It’s almost time for us all to welcome in the year 2018. As we approach the end of the year, most of us tend to reflect on the bygone year and mull over whether we’ve managed to accomplish all that we had set out to achieve. We have come up with 18 quick tips to help busy researchers plan their way to being successful in 2018.
Dec 29, 2017
December 18, 2017, 10:00 AM - December 18, 2017, 18:00 PM UTC 
The only way to ensure that people understand science is to communicate it in a way that enables them to absorb it easily and comprehend how it impacts them. A 1985 Report published by the Royal Society clearly indicates the need for science communication and the benefits it can bring to society. 22 years down the line, how much have we achieved in this direction? If we haven’t achieved much, what are the main factors that obstruct our ability to communicate science effectively and build a more well-informed society?
Dec 25, 2017
On Dec 21, Elsevier announced that it is in the process of retracting 26 papers across six of its journals due to peer review manipulation and authorship irregularities. 13 of the papers have already been retracted and the rest are soon to follow. The papers have been published by a group of Iran-based researchers.
Dec 22, 2017
With more than 2.5 million new research articles published annually, it has become increasingly important to find ways to make research findings stand out. Universities understand the importance of this and have been encouraging their researchers to make their research more visible by actively sharing their work with different audiences in various formats. This post looks at what some universities are actively doing to encourage science communication.
Dec 21, 2017
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided to reverse net neutrality in the country. This means that going forward, Internet service providers can restrict some websites; reduce the speed at which certain types of content are loaded; and create premium, speedy access categories behind paywalls. This decision is likely to affect several segments of users and businesses including those from the scientific and publishing community.
Dec 21, 2017
September 20, 2018, 10:00 AM - September 20, 2018, 10:00 AM UTC 
December 4, 2017, 11:00 AM - December 7, 2017, 12:00 PM UTC 
When talking about the state of innovation in the scholarly communications industry, it is pertinent to mention that the researcher life cycle continues to be bookended by sameness. This article brings forth interesting questions such as: In scholarly communications, why is change so often incremental and so seldom on the scale of an epidemic? What does this modest pace of adoption mean for the next wave of innovation? Will it simply weed out the innovations that cannot create value at the scale required or will it in fact stem the generation of new ideas?
Dec 15, 2017
If you think that journals are in the content business, here is a different perspective. The author of this article believes that the journals are in the "assertions" business. Read on for an interesting discussion on how journals make various assertions about the quality of content they publish and use various tools to validate these assertions.
Dec 12, 2017
Scholarly literature can be of different types; some of which require that researchers conduct an original study, whereas others can be based on existing research. One of the most popular Q&As led us to conclude that of all the types of scholarly literature, researchers are most confused by the differences between a research paper and a review paper. This infographic explains the five main differences between these two types of scholarly papers.
Dec 11, 2017
Despite only four years under our belt, Editage Insights attracts 200,000+ monthly readers, and our community is growing every day. To mark our anniversary, we want to reach out and celebrate our most engaged and interactive community members. In this post, we introduce 4 of our most engaged community members.
Dec 7, 2017
With the evolving nature of the scholarly landscape, researchers now have access to many different tools to manage different aspects and stages of their workflow and communication. This article gives you an overview of a few tools that can help you with project management and data sharing.
Dec 7, 2017
On December 3, researchers discarded their work clothes for party wear as they attended the annual presentation of the Breakthrough Prizes, also known as the “Oscars of Science.” The Breakthrough Foundation announced the winners of the most lucrative award in science in a gala ceremony attended by academics and Hollywood celebrities at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. Find out who the winners are what their contribution is.
Dec 7, 2017
A group of 75 Nobel Laureates has signed an open letter addressed to the Iranian government, protesting the death sentence of an Iranian researcher. Ahmadreza Djalali was accused of spying but maintains that he has been penalized for refusing to spy for Iran. Several academic and non-academic organizations have condemned Iran’s treatment toward Djalali. Read on to know more about the case of this researcher whose fate rests in the hands of the Iranian government and how established Nobel Laureates have rushed to plead his release.
Dec 4, 2017
November 21, 2017, 11:00 AM - November 21, 2017, 12:00 PM UTC 
After big data, the phenomenon that has caused a stir in the scientific world is that of artificial intelligence (AI). Whether it is healthcare, manufacturing, scientific research, or warfare, AI has numerous potential applications. In other words, leadership in AI has the potential of giving an unprecedented advantage to a country. China aims to become a global leader in AI by 2030. This article takes a look at how well-equipped China is to achieve this goal.
Dec 1, 2017
There is a dire need to communicate in simplified writing in Academic Publishing. Complex ideas need not be described in a difficult manner. This article discusses how we can make scientific writing easy to read and understand.
Dec 1, 2017
This month, our editors have curated a list of some of the most exciting discussions in the academic publishing community. These revolve around topics as diverse as peer review, negative results, reproducibility, public access to science, research health, Brexit, and blockchain. Hope you enjoy reading these snippets!
Nov 30, 2017
Throughout our anniversary month, we brought you our team’s favorite picks for different content formats. In this post, let’s take a look at the team's favorite SlideShare presentations.
Nov 30, 2017
In order to make science truly open, we need to move beyond providing free access to scientific output and think about making the non-scientific community understand scientific research. This article discusses why lay summaries are being increasingly adopted by funders to engage the taxpayers and show them the impact of research they funded.
Nov 30, 2017
Scientific research lies at the core of Japan, the third-largest economy in the world. Since 2000, Japanese researchers have won 17 Nobel Prizes in the sciences, which only emphasizes the nation’s scientific prowess. However, in the recent years, Japan has been struggling to maintain its leadership position in research. This article takes a look at the factors that have led to the decline of research in the country, leaving research leaders in the country anxious about their future.
Nov 27, 2017
We love hearing from you! As part of our four-year anniversary celebrations, we reached out to many of you asking you to share your thoughts and opinions on Editage Insights. Here's what you had to say!
Nov 27, 2017
This is our anniversary month, and as part of this year’s celebrations, we bring you the team’s favorite picks for different content formats. In this post, let’s take a look at the team's favorite Q&As.
Nov 27, 2017
The concept of open access is evolving and taking the form of “research communication.” Today, it is not enough to make research findings and data freely available after publication. It is more important to communicate research to the scientific and non-scientific community in order to ensure that critical findings influence policy and shape public understanding.
Nov 27, 2017
As part of the celebrations of the fourth anniversary of Editage Insights, we decided to ask our team members to undertake the tough task of choosing their favorite content. And guess what? We ended up with an interesting assortment, which we want to share with you! This week, the team behind Editage Insights picked their favorite discussion-based articles. Read on to know which articles made it to this list!
Nov 24, 2017
Economists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology tested the quiet life hypothesis in the context of management in Japan and suggested mechanisms to address the challenges it poses. This article discusses their diagnostic and prescriptive research, which would appeal to practitioners and academicians in the fields of management, finance, and regulation, beyond the study area, given the global relevance of monitoring in the wake of recent economic crises.
Nov 24, 2017
As we enter the final week of our anniversary month, we thought it would be a great time for a special anniversary spot quiz! Just answer this single question related to scholarly publishing and get the chance to win an exciting prize!
Nov 24, 2017
As part of the four-year anniversary of Editage Insights, we would like you to join us as we take a look back at the fabulous journey so far. We want to share with you our successes and tell you what kept us busy over the last four years. This infographic will give you a look at the resources we have on Editage Insights and the growing Editage Insights community. Click to read more.
Nov 23, 2017
In evidence-based medicine, statistical information is critical for investigators to interpret observations and make treatment recommendations. A dichotomous way of looking at the world of clinical trials in terms of results being statistically ‘significant’ or ‘non-significant’ often distorts the broader interpretation of data. This article takes a look at how clinical trial data can be reported more robustly.
Nov 22, 2017
Whenever we think about predation in the context of scholarly publishing, we habitually point a finger at publishers and journals that are willing to publish any piece of “scientific” literature with the intent of making money. But what if you were told that some authors are the actual predators damaging the fabric of science? This article explores another side to predatory publishing wherein some authors are willing take the predatory publishing route. To know why they choose predatory journals and the impact it has on science, read on.
Nov 22, 2017
Three Asian journal editors from China, South Korea, and Nepal won the Editage travel grant, and attended the European conference of the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors (ISMTE) in London, UK. For most of them, this was the their first exposure to an international conference. Read on to know what the winners had to say about the experience.
Nov 21, 2017
In our previous article on handpicked team favorites, we looked at the infographics which especially struck a chord with the team. In this article, we will individually go through the team's favorite videos.
Nov 20, 2017
The African Academy of Sciences announced the launch of an open access publishing platform called AAS Open Research early next year. This would be created with assistance from the London publisher F1000 and would be the first platform to adopt open peer review. Find out more about this exciting development.
Nov 17, 2017
Earlier this month, a district court in Virginia sided with the publisher American Chemical Society (ACS) that had filed a suit against Sci-Hub for copyright infringement and trademark violation. The court ordered Sci-Hub operators to pay U.S. $4.8 million in damages to the publisher. Additionally, it also ruled that search engines, hosting sites, internet providers, and domain name registries would have to discontinue providing access to Sci-Hub and its domains. Read on to know more details about this development.
Nov 15, 2017
We're celebrating our 4th anniversary throughout November. The last 4 years have been a rewarding experience for each member of our team. What better way to celebrate our anniversary month than by looking back at some of our favorite content! So throughout our anniversary month, we’re going to handpick the posts that especially stood out for each one of us for different reasons.This article is a collection of the team's favourite infographics.
Nov 14, 2017
Last week, publishing giant Springer Nature pulled down around 1000 articles from its Chinese website since these articles touched upon topics deemed sensitive by the Chinese authorities. This move has sparked several discussions about academic freedom and some academics are not in favor of the enforced censorship. Read on to know more about the publisher's stance.
Nov 8, 2017
In recent times, research is being increasingly communicated using multimedia formats, film being a popular medium. To recognize the growing use of film to cover themes central to the arts and humanities and to start conversations on global challanges, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which is based in the UK, has announced the 2017 Research in Film Awards. Read on to know the criteria for the awards and the films shortlisted for the prize.
Nov 7, 2017
Editage Insights turns 4 in November! We’d like to express heartfelt gratitude to you – our readers – for your continued support. Over these years, the Editage Insights community has grown bigger and each one of you has contributed to making it what it is today. Thank you! We are so happy that we plan to celebrate our birthday all through November! Watch out for special anniversary posts, exciting giveaways, and a few more surprises. Join us to celebrate this special occasion!
Nov 2, 2017
Postdocs are the next generation of researchers in the making. Apart from the stress of publishing papers and doing lab work, another intimidating challenge postdocs face is building their independent career as a researcher. As a newbie, establishing a lab and getting funding may seem daunting, and only a supportive mentor or principal investigator can propel a postdoc into a successful academic career. What are some of the most common causes of rift between mentors and postdocs? What should a postdoc do to avoid these problems? This article attempts to answer these questions.
Oct 31, 2017
In this month’s round up, we have a mixed bag including the free global release of Stephen Hawking's 1966 thesis, academics questioning the threshold of statistical significance, a brand new model of peer review, and more. Read on to stay abreast of all the latest happenings in the scholarly community.
Oct 27, 2017
Because social networking is so intimate, it also represents a massive opportunity for academic journals and publishers to make their presence felt. This posts talks about the potential traps and mistakes journals, academic societies, publishers, and funders could avoid when engaging the academic community via social media platforms.
Oct 27, 2017
October 27, 2017, 12:30 PM - October 27, 2017, 14:00 PM UTC 
Why are researchers choosing open access? A growing realization of the benefits of switching from the traditional subscription model to the open access model has prompted many researchers and publishers to embrace this publishing model. Dispelling the myths surrounding open access, this article takes a closer look at the positives of opting open access.
Oct 26, 2017
Many researchers hesitate to publish open access (OA) for a variety of reasons. To those researchers who are not familiar with the concept of open access and the functioning of open access journals, submitting to an OA journal might seem like a risky step. This reluctance to submit to OA journals and to make research freely accessible could be triggered by several existing misconceptions about OA such as “All open access journals are predatory.” In order to choose a legitimate OA journal, authors must be able to differentiate between reliable OA journals and the predatory ones. This SlideShare presents a set of questions that authors can ask themselves before choosing an OA journal to submit their manuscripts. These questions will help authors to judge the authenticity of the concerned journal.
Oct 25, 2017
In addition to predatory journals and publishers, researchers now need to be wary of predatory conferences as well. But how does one know if a conference is legitimate or a fake one? The Think Check Attend checklist helps them identify legitimate conferences.
Oct 25, 2017
Open access is the way forward for scholarly communication as it gives research maximum outreach. However, many researchers are not keen on publishing open access largely due to some misconceptions they have about it. Often, when authors are in doubt about open access publishing, they approach Editage Insights for guidance. Here we bring to you the 8 most frequently asked questions.
Oct 25, 2017
If you are a publisher who has not yet explored social media, it’s time you reconsidered that decision. If you thought that being on social media only benefits individual researchers, you are mistaken. Networking and posting updates via social media has several benefits for scholarly publishers, journals, and organizations as well.
Oct 24, 2017
Most of us are aware that women are underrepresented in academia. At different stages of life, distinct social-psychological factors contribute to the high attrition rate of women in STEM fields, often called the leaky pipeline. This article takes a look at three important developmental periods in a woman's life and describes how specific learning environments, peer relations, and family characteristics pose as obstacles in each period, leading to gender differences in STEM participation and achievement.
Oct 24, 2017
This infographic addresses important questions about open access. It compiles the benefits of publishing your article open access, reasons behind its importance in academic publishing and its global implications. Click to learn more.
Oct 24, 2017
There is a definitive shift in the publishing industry towards open access. The share of open access journal publishing is steadily increasing through the launch of new open access journals as well as a phenomenon called ‘flipping,’ wherein toll access or subscription-based journals are making a switch to gold open access. Why and when do publishers decide to flip to the open access model? What the consequences of this decision for the various stakeholders? This article analyzes these questions and speculates the future of open access publishing.
Oct 23, 2017
Open access is steadily gaining momentum in academia, but many young researchers are still unclear about it. What is open access? What are the different venues for publishing open access? This article will help you understand the basics of open access publishing.
Oct 22, 2017
Over the last few years, numerous digital tools have made their way into the scholarly world to help researchers juggle with the multiple roles they have to play. This post introduces some of the available tools that researchers can use at various stages of the research workflow.
Oct 20, 2017
Like every year, Editage Insights is participating in Open Access Week 2017, a global event dedicated to . The theme for this year’s event that spans October 23 to October 29 is "Open in order for..." which wants the scholarly community to discuss on what openness enables. We have planned some great activities throughout the week. Join us to celebrate Open Access Week 2017!
Oct 20, 2017
After months of working on your research paper, receiving a "revise and resubmit" decision from the journal can be very disheartening. The key is to remain calm and address the reviewers' suggestions for revision in a systematic manner. This article provides 10 easy-to-follow steps that will guide you through the revision and then the resubmission of your paper.
Oct 20, 2017
Minimally Invasive Surgical Oncology (MISO), an open-access journal pays $500 in royalties to the corresponding author for each accepted original or review article. Read on to find out why the journal is making this unusual offer and whether authors are interested.
Oct 19, 2017
Since the last 20 years, China has focused on becoming a global leader in innovation and there are indications that the country is succeeding. Today, China has become a land of opportunities not just for the homegrown researchers but also for those Chinese researchers who had left the nation in search of greener pastures in the West. Even non-Chinese researchers are displaying interest in taking up research in China. Why is China keen on reversing the brain drain? What is attracting Chinese researchers back to their homeland? How is life for the expatriate researchers who return to their homeland? Read on to find out.
Oct 17, 2017
Publishing giants Elsevier and American Chemical Society have filed a lawsuit against ResearchGate for unlicensed paper sharing. Several scientific publishers had urged ResearchGate to modify its content-sharing policy, but did not get a favorable response, leading to this legal action. Read on for a detailed account of the issue.
Oct 12, 2017
Live tweeting not only helps raise awareness but also increases engagement and draws attention. Arming yourself with the right tools, preparing your tweets in advance, and planning well will help you live tweet your research effectively.
Oct 12, 2017
The Abstract plays a decisive role in whether people will go on to read your entire paper. This video will give you 11 tips that will guide you through writing a more effective research paper abstract.
Oct 11, 2017
Apart from prestige and recognition, the Nobel Prize confers on its winners a significant cash award. What do the Nobel Laureates do with their prize money? Do they make expensive purchases for themselves, spend it for further research, or use it for a charitable cause? Read on to find out.
Oct 10, 2017
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced American economist Richard Thaler as the winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Economical Sciences "for his contributions to behavioural economics."
Oct 9, 2017
Some journal editors ask authors to include inappropriate or irrelevant citations in their papers in an effort to artificially inflate the journal's impact factor. If such a request is made before accepting a paper, it can easily feel coercive and the author might feel pressured to cite the recommended articles for fear of rejection. This article explains how an author deal with a coercive citation request.
Oct 9, 2017
Some journal editors ask authors to include inappropriate or irrelevant citations in their papers in an effort to artificially inflate the journal's impact factor. If such a request is made before accepting a paper, it can easily feel coercive and the author might feel pressured to cite the recommended articles for fear of rejection. This article explains how an author can identify a coercive citation request.
Oct 9, 2017
Who will win the 2017 Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences? While there have been several speculations and predictions about the winners, the Nobel Committee is announcing the prize shortly. Please check the video above to watch the announcement.
Oct 9, 2017
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize “for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.” Read on to know more.
Oct 7, 2017
British author Kazuo Ishiguro was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature. While making the announcement for this Prize, the Nobel Committee said, that Ishiguro, “in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.” Ishiguro is well known for his works such as The Remains of the Day, Never Let Me Go, and The Buried Giant. He also won the Man Booker Prize in 1989.
Oct 6, 2017
In honor of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, we thought of looking back at some of the other Nobel Laureates in the field of chemistry. How much do you really know about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry? Try answering these 5 simple questions and find out!
Oct 5, 2017
Who will win the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature? Watch the live announcement now!
Oct 5, 2017
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded three researchers with the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution." The prize will be shared by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson. Read on to know more about the award-winning research and how it contributed to the advancement of the field of biochemistry.
Oct 4, 2017
The Nobel Prize in Physics was first awarded back in 1901, and today there are a total of 207 Physics Nobel Laureates. Do you consider yourself an expert on the Nobel Prize in Physics? Try taking this simple quiz and find out!
Oct 4, 2017
Who will win the 2017 Nobel Prize for Chemistry? Watch the live announcement now!
Oct 4, 2017
The detection of the universe’s gravitational waves was a groundbreaking discovery in the field of physics. In recognition of this, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honored Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish, and Kip Thorne "for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves." Read on to know more about the prize they will share and their research.
Oct 3, 2017
In honor of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Medicine, we thought it would be interesting to jolt our memories and look back at some of the other Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine. This crossword consists of tricky clues about the previous Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine. How much do you really know about these Nobel Laureates? Solve the crossword and find out!
Oct 3, 2017
Who will win the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics? Watch the live announcement now!
Oct 3, 2017
Three American researchers – Jeffrey C. Hall of the University of Maine, Michael Rosbash of Brandeis University, and Michael W. Young of Rockefeller University – have been awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in medicine “for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm.” Read on to know more about their work.
Oct 3, 2017
In this month’s round up, we have a mixed bag that includes the controversial redefinition of clinical trials, S-index, a great new metric that will measure how many times a scientist cites his own work, and more. Read on to keep yourself abreast of all the latest happenings in the scholarly community.
Sep 29, 2017
It is very rare that two researchers from the same family receive the Nobel Prize. But what if the 2 researchers involved in the prize-winning research are both life partners as and research partners? This infographic lists five married couples where both partners have won the Nobel Prize, their prize-winning research and a fun fact about the scientific couple.
Sep 29, 2017
The winners of the Nobel Prize 2017will soon be announced, and the air is rife with predictions and discussions. Are you as excited as we are?
Sep 29, 2017
Which form of closed peer review do authors prefer – single-blind or double-blind review? A new large-scale study conducted by Nature Publishing Group (NPG) in London concluded that few authors choose double-blind peer review when given an option.
Sep 28, 2017
Here, I share some personal observations and thoughts while attending the Eighth International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication in Chicago, which dedicated three days to intensive discussions about peer review and its role in scholarly publishing.
Sep 21, 2017
P value is the most commonly reported statistic in research papers, and is probably the most misunderstood and misused of all statistics. Now academics are divided on whether or not the threshold of p value, which is 0.05, should be reduced to avoid its misuse. Read on to know what prominent researchers think about this issue.
Sep 21, 2017
Editage Insights attended the 2017 Peer Review Congress and this is a report of the poster sessions from the last two days of the conference. The posters were categorized under 14 broad topics such as authorship and contributorship; conflict of interest; integrity and misconduct; and editorial and peer review process, etc. Read the report to know more.
Sep 21, 2017
The Ig Nobel Prizes honor “research that makes people laugh and then think.” Read on to know who were the winners of the prize for the year 2017 and what their curiosity-arousing research was.
Sep 18, 2017
Peer review can be a long-drawn process that involves long waiting periods, understanding the various stages of the review process, dealing with reviewer comments, responding to those comments, and making revisions to the paper based on the comments. Over the years, we have dealt with numerable questions from authors about peer review. Here we present to you the 10 most frequently asked questions.
Sep 15, 2017
Editage Insights is attending the 2017 Peer Review Congress and this is a report of some of the sessions from the third day of the conference. The sessions presented during the second half of Day 3 discussed pre- and post-publication issues. Read the report to know more.
Sep 15, 2017
Editage Insights is attending the 2017 Peer Review Congress and this is a report of some of the sessions from the third day of the conference. The sessions presented during the first half of Day 3 discussed editorial and peer review process innovations. Read the report to know more.
Sep 15, 2017
Peer review rigging—a growing concern for the scientific publishing system—has led journals to retract several hundereds of papers. Apart from discussions on whether authors should be allowed to suggest potential peer reviewers, experts have highlighted the need for a set of guidelines to resolve the issue of peer review rigging. How can journal editors identify whether an author is trying to manipulate their peer review system? Do journals follow commonly accepted best practices? Read this article to find answers to these concerns.
Sep 15, 2017
Peer review as we know it today has evolved through the years to accommodate different journals’ management styles as well as the increasing volume of journal submissions. This infographic lists and simply explains the most common types of peer review.
Sep 14, 2017
Editage Insights is attending the 2017 Peer Review Congress. In line with the theme of innovations in peer review, the session on post-publication issues on day three of the conference included interesting presentations that went beyond the journal and looked at commenting platforms and indexing databases.
Sep 13, 2017
Peer review is regarded as the gold standard for evaluating scientific communication. Time and again, however, it has been targeted as a soft spot by researchers and, at times, even editors. This article takes a look at how transparency can help prevent peer review scams.
Sep 13, 2017
Often when we talk about peer review, we focus on the various forms of journal submissions that undergo close scrutiny. The second day of the 2017 Peer Review Congress included a session on the less-discussed topic of funding or grant application reviews. The session, moderated by Trish Groves (Director of academic outreach and advocacy, BMJ), included four presentations on various aspects of grant application. Read on to know what was discussed during this session.
Sep 13, 2017
Editage Insights is attending the 2017 Peer Review Congress and this is a report of some of the sessions from the second day of the conference. The sessions presented during the second half of Day 2 discussed the quality of scientific literature. Read the report to know more.
Sep 13, 2017
When a peer reviewer receives an invitation to review, they are expected to disclose potential conflicts of interest. But some reviewers fail to be transparent and misuse the system to serve their own selfish purposes. Read on to find out more.
Sep 12, 2017
Editage Insights is attending the 2017 Peer Review Congress and this is a report of the first day of the conferece. In the studies presented by various groups during the first half, biases associated with conflicts of interest, peer review, reporting, and publication of research were discussed. Afterwards, the focus shifted to discussions about integrity, misconduct, and data sharing. Read the report to know the latest discussions in the scholarly community.
Sep 12, 2017
We all know that peer review is the most crucial part of the publication process. But finding peer reviewers is by no means an easy task. In this article, an experienced journal editor reveals how he selects peer reviewers, deals with declined review invitations, and works his way forward till he finally finds reviewers who accept the invitation.
Sep 12, 2017
Editage Insights is attending the 2017 Peer Review Congress and this is a report of some of the sessions from the second day of the conference. In the studies presented by various groups during the first half, the discussions revolved around the quality of reporting in scientific publications. Read the report to know more.
Sep 12, 2017
Editage Insights is attending the 2017 Peer Review Congress and this is a report of an interesting session on the the first day of the conference that involved discussions on the common problems in peer review and scientific publication.
Sep 11, 2017
All prestigious journals use some form of peer review, and most academics believe that the purpose of peer review is to maintain the quality and integrity of the scientific literature. Peer Review Week is a great time to think about whether you as an academic would prefer the traditional system or would like a paid peer review model.
Sep 11, 2017
The first Nobel Prize was awarded more than a century ago. With time, the scientific landscape has changed significantly and some academics feel that the rules for selecting Nobel Prize winners now warrant reconsideration. Should the Nobel Committee revisit the old rules and make amendments that would make the Nobel Prize more accommodative of the changing research landscape? Read on to find out.
Sep 10, 2017
The Lasker Foundation announced the winners of the Lasker Awards for 2017. The Lasker Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in medicine. There is a lot of buzz around these awards because several recipients of the Lasker Awards have gone on to win the Nobel Prize. Read on to know about the winners of this year.
Sep 9, 2017
Editage Insights is participating in Peer Review Week 2017, a global event dedicated to peer review for the pivotal role it plays in scholarly publishing. The theme for this year’s event that spans September 11 to September 17 is Transparency. As one of the Organizing Committee members, we have planned some great activities throughout the week. Join us to celebrate Peer Review Week!
Sep 7, 2017
To help you stay up-to-date with the latest topics of discussion in academia, we've curated this list of interesting posts and updates. While most of these posts are about journal publishing and academic life, we also bring you an update about one of the most important industry events of the year - Peer Review Week 2017!
Aug 31, 2017
Since two years, a German consortium called Project DEAL has been negotiating with a few major publishers to create a new licensing agreement for Elsevier’s entire research publication portfolio. If the consortium succeeds in striking a deal on its terms, it could be a big step toward breaking down cost barriers to paywalled research.
Aug 30, 2017
Donald Trump’s administration has issued this memo and its contents are vital in understanding where the U.S. government is headed. The memo, which has been written jointly by the White House and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), makes five focus areas known to the agencies that intend to submit their budget requests.
Aug 29, 2017
The Editage Insights team participated in the 2017 meeting of the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE) at the Carlton Palace Hotel in Deira, Dubai, on August 13 and 14. The meeting was attended by 150 people including ACSE members, journal editors, researchers, and publishing professionals.
Aug 28, 2017
In scientific writing, choosing the correct tenses is not as easy as it may seem to be in lay conversation. While writing a research paper, tense usage depends upon the section of the paper being written. This infographic will help you use the correct tenses for different sections of your paper’s IMRaD format.
Aug 25, 2017
Conducting a literature review is an essential part of getting a manuscript publication-ready. But you may sometimes find that there aren’t too many journal articles in your specific research area. You might be looking at a research question that not many others or no one has studied or written about before. So what should you do? This article offers 5 tips to help you through such a predicament.
Aug 23, 2017
A general view about researchers is that they are a recluse community that seldom leaves their labs and the ivory tower. This has changed over the past few years. Across the globe, researchers have been making headlines by taking to the streets to express their displeasure about the state of affairs of science. What has triggered this reaction? Are researchers expanding their traditional role and stepping into the political arena? Read on to know more.
Aug 22, 2017
Although the benefits of scientific research are not always quantifiable, it’s quite safe to say it benefits us all. But the process of examining and analyzing data for scientific knowledge needs funding which is not always easy to obtain.
Aug 21, 2017
Marisha Fonseca, Senior Managing Editor, Editage, attended the 10th Annual North American Conference of the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors on August 10 and 11 in Denver, Colorado, USA. Here, she captures some of the highlights of this important industry event.
Aug 21, 2017
Journal editors sometimes ask authors to cite a few relevant articles from the journal to increase their citation count. But what if the editor hands over a whole list of irrelevant articles from the same journal and asks the author to cite them? Read on to find out how to handle such requests.
Aug 18, 2017
Is it possible that the socio-cultural factors of a country can influence the publication practices of the researchers? This article delves deep into the factors that have shaped Chinese researchers over the years, and takes a look at why the country has had a string of incidents related to research misconduct and the efforts Chinese government is taking to contain these malpractices.
Aug 17, 2017
Chinese institutions have been known to offer incentives to faculty upon successful publication in reputed, peer-reviewed, high-impact-factor journals. It has recently come to light that, researchers from several other countries are enjoying similar benefits too. Read on to find out which countries incentivize researchers to get published in high impact factor journals.
Aug 16, 2017
A cover letter introduces your submission to the target journal’s editors and gives them a brief overview of its contents and major details. As such, your cover letter should function as a sales pitch to the journal editors. In other words, it needs to sell the notion of why your manuscript deserves to be published in their journal and also how it matches the scope of their journal. This SlideShare will tell you everything you need to know in order to write a great cover letter for your research paper. Related reading:Dos and don’ts for a great cover letter Writing an effective cover letter for journal submission How to write a cover letter for my submission?
Aug 3, 2017
The University of Tokyo investigated for almost a year the allegations of scientific misconduct on that Yoshinori Watanabe, an eminent researcher affiliated with the institution. The university’s investigative committee declared Watanabe, a cell biologist, as well as his former lab assistant Yuji Tanno guilty of committing scientific misconduct in five papers. Read on to find out more about the case.
Aug 2, 2017
Chinese authorities recently held a press conference to share updates on the 107 retracted papers case involving Chinese authors and institutions. This infographic presents the overall picture of the retraction case, the major reasons behind the 107 papers being retracted and how many of the 521 implicated authors were actually guilty of misconduct.
Aug 2, 2017
Correspondence with authors is an important activity in the day-to-day work of editors. The exchange of information and ideas facilitates the publication process from the pre-submission phase through production and dissemination of accepted articles. Correspondence with the editor creates opportunities to clarify uncertainties and to provide essential information about an article or other work under consideration for publication or accepted for publication. This article describes the content of various types of correspondence for efficient and clear dialogue with an editor.
Jul 31, 2017
If the month of July seemed to whizz past while you were hard at work, we have you covered. This month was interesting because there were several noteworthy happenings: an author exposed predatory journals’ workings by submitting a fake Star Wars paper, a team of researchers revealed how many articles Sci-Hub has, a group of scientists challenged P values, and more. Here is a curated list of articles that would keep you abreast of the goings-on in the scholarly publishing world this month. Happy reading!
Jul 31, 2017
The International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) announces its second Asia Pacific Meeting, being held 5 September 2017, at the Hilton Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan. Read on to know more about the meeting's agenda and registration details.
Jul 31, 2017
Last week, the U.S. government announced that it plans to bar its citizens from traveling to North Korea. This move is being contemplated due to the risk of "long-term detention in the country.” If the ban comes in to effect, North Korea’s Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) will face major repercussions as PUST’s President and about 40 faculty and lecturers are U.S. citizens.
Jul 26, 2017
In the face of growing distrust of science and facts, and the erosion of editorial quality by dishonest online publishers, credible journals must be increasingly transparent in adhering to quality standards for editorial practice and policy. This article addresses the need to re-evaluate and strengthen the evidence that credible scientific journals provide to the public in order to convey to the public, and to members of the discipline, practices and policies that assure the credibility of the journal's content.
Jul 26, 2017
Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal and Campaign for Accountability accused Google of “paying academics to publish research favorable to the company’s policy and business positions—often without disclosure of the financial relationship.” However, the report has met with backlash from Google as well as the academics named in the report. Read on to know more about the controversial report and Google's response to it.
Jul 21, 2017
More than six months into his presidency, the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump has not yet appointed a science advisor and has displayed no definitive signs of doing so. The White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) currently has only 35 people with many key positions vacant. This has academics in the country worried because without any science experts, the country might lose its leadership in science and technology.
Jul 19, 2017
Presenting at an academic conference is an essential and inevitable part of a researcher’s life. In order to make a successful and effective conference presentation, knowing your research paper in its entirety is not enough. You must also be well-prepared in terms of important aspects of public speaking such as observing time limits, making eye contact, engaging the audience, etc. This SlideShare will provide 9 tips that will help you effectively communicate your research at your next academic conference. Related reading:How to make the most of a conference session 8 Tips for presenting a paper at an academic conference Making connections at international conferences What are the basic rules for submitting the same research to a conference and a journal?
Jul 17, 2017
Register for Cabell’s International webinar "Cabells Whitelist & Blacklist Demonstration; New Web Interface and Features," to know more about their new features - the Journal Blacklist and Whitelist, and Altmetric Reports.
Jul 13, 2017
This infographic depicts the journey of a manuscript from submission to publication in the conventional publishing model that includes the blinded peer review process.
Jul 12, 2017
A recently published report titled China’s International Scientific Research Collaboration Landscape, jointly produced by the Chinese National Center for Science and Technology Evaluation (NCSTE) and Clarivate Analytics, ranked China as the third-largest producer of academic papers with international coauthorship. Read on to know more about the steps China is taking to increase its global scientific and economic impact.
Jul 10, 2017
Editage and Editage Insights (Editage’s author resource platform with an independent editorial team) will be part of these upcoming conferences - 4th Annual Conference of The Asian Council of Science Editors, CASE Europe Annual Conference 2017, 10th Annual North American Conference (ISMTE).
Jul 7, 2017
Would you like to know researchers’ perspectives about the journal publishing system? Don't miss the chance to learn what researchers think about the time to publication, publication ethics, open access, and many other important aspects of academic publishing.
Jul 6, 2017
Economics scholars at the University of Chicago investigate how uncertainty affects cooperation and emphasize the importance of replicating experiments to validate their findings. Read on to learn more about their findings and how this paper can impact the field of economics.
Jul 4, 2017
Sci-Hub, the site that provides free access to pirated academic papers, has been ordered to pay $15 million by a U.S. district court to Elsevier for “unlawfully accessing and distributing its copyrighted papers.”
Jun 30, 2017
While Trump’s policies and China’s zeal to curb research misconduct continue to create a buzz, some other insightful discourses have also generated an interest among members of the academic community this month. In this post, our editors have curated an interesting bunch of stories for you to read.
Jun 30, 2017
Sneha Kulkarni, Senior Writer & Editor, Editage Insights, attended the 39th Annual Meeting of Society for Scholarly Publishing held in Boston, Massachusetts, from May 31 to June 3, 2017. This year’s theme was extremely relevant to the current discussions in the scholarly community: “Striking a Balance: Embracing Change While Preserving Tradition in Scholarly Communications.” In the second part of the two-part series, she shares her experience of attending her first ever SSP conference.
Jun 26, 2017
This infographic is a checklist of the criteria that would indicate to authors whether a particular journal is predatory or legitimate. Researchers ought to consider these criteria before submitting their manuscript to a journal.
Jun 26, 2017
Last week, Clarivate Analytics released the much anticipated 2017 Journal Citation Reports (JCR), which includes information about highly cited peer-reviewed publications. Read on to find out more about the details about this release.
Jun 21, 2017
Editage has announced travel grants for journal editors from East Asia to attend the 10th Annual North American and European conferences of the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors (ISMTE). Read on for details about the prize amount and the application process.
Jun 19, 2017
As the volume of scientific publishing is increasing, so is the competitive pressure to get published. The extreme competition in academia and the immense pressure to publish is driving authors towards unethical publishing practices, as is proved by the increasing instances of mass retractions. This article explores the driving force behind unethical practices, different unethical routes to academic publishing, and identifies the co-conspirators behind these scandalous activities.
Jun 16, 2017
This article includes pointers to help you pay attention to those details that often escape attention and avoid some obvious errors when intending to publish scientific writing or academic writing in the physical sciences.
Jun 12, 2017
Sneha Kulkarni, Senior Writer & Editor, Editage Insights, attended the 39th Annual Meeting of Society for Scholarly Publishing held in Boston, Massachusetts, from May 31 to June 3, 2017. This year’s theme was extremely relevant to the current discussions in the scholarly community: “Striking a Balance: Embracing Change While Preserving Tradition in Scholarly Communications.” In the first part of the two-part series, she shares her experience of attending her first ever SSP conference.
Jun 9, 2017
US President Donald Trump, announced last week that the US intends to pull out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and would no longer fulfill the pledges it took as part of the Agreement. This statement has elicited a lot of strong reactions from the global business and research communities.
Jun 5, 2017
China has declared a policy of zero tolerance towards academic misconduct following the mass retraction of 107 articles by Chinese authors from Tumor Biology last month, and some more recent retractions by another Springer journal, Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics. Read on to find out.
Jun 2, 2017
This month, we share posts that explore larger level issues in research communication. The underlying theme is the problems plaguing science, particularly about best and ethical practices when writing and communicating research.
May 31, 2017
Recently, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a major change in their policy that will have repercussions across the biomedical research community. Moving away from the traditional model, NIH will introduce a point system to put a cap on the amount of funding a researcher can receive. The agency explains that the main intent is to make more grants available and assist early and mid-career researchers in getting grants easily.
May 23, 2017
Getting grants is vital for researchers to carry out their research. Most researchers, particularly the early career researchers, may feel confused about which grants they should apply for. This article summarizes some of the current funding options available for academics, and the pros and cons of applying for these grants at various stages of an academic’s career.
May 17, 2017
You may have been asked for something called an “ORCID iD” when submitting a manuscript for publication consideration or signing on as a peer reviewer for a journal. But do you know why you should have one? This article takes a look at this identification number for authors and what it means for you.
May 12, 2017
The month of April was perhaps the most exciting time for academics around the world as several hundred researchers and supporters of science participated in the March for Science. While this movement dominated the news in academia, many other happenings too deserve notice. The Editage Insights team has curated a list of some of the most noteworthy updates in this month for you. Happy reading!
Apr 30, 2017
Springer announced the retraction of 107 papers published in Tumor Biology, an open access cancer journal, as they found evidence of peer review manipulation. Most of these papers were authored by Chinese researchers and were published between 2012 and 2016.
Apr 26, 2017
Scientists have been long accused of remaining confined to an ivory tower with little or no connect to the non-scientific community. But this will change on Earth Day, that is, April 22, when scientists, science advocates, and science enthusiasts from around the world will take to the streets to participate in the March for Science. Is this the first time scientists have raised their voices? Are all scientists in favor of this movement? Read on to find out more and take the poll at the end of the post to share your views.
Apr 20, 2017
In March 2017, Nobuko Miyairi, who is the former Regional Director for Asia Pacific region at ORCID visited the Editage office in Mumbai, India. This is a conversation with her and the Editage Insights team.
Apr 12, 2017
"Don’t take my word for it, but being a scientist is about being a skeptic," says Tim van der Zee in this post. Read on to know why he thinks scientists should be skeptical of what they read and the research they conduct.
Apr 5, 2017
The ethics governing research in Traditional Medicine (TM) has been subject to substantial debate. The controversies have generally revolved around the unreasonable harvesting of medicinal plants, ethical accountability of researchers towards local knowledge holders, and the credibility of TM as a complementary and alternative mode of treatment. This presentation emphasizes the importance of ethics in TM research as well as the 6 ethical principles to follow when conducting research in TM.
Apr 4, 2017
A lot has been happening in the scholarly circles this month: from Trump's first budget proposal, to NIH allowing preprints in grant applications, a sting operation exposing predatory publishers, and talks about different models of peer review.We want you to be tuned in to all the interesting happenings in academia. So here’s a list of snippets of some noteworthy news and publications from this month. Happy reading!
Mar 31, 2017
This infographic lists 10 avoidable mistakes that authors make in their manuscripts. If authors are made aware of these mistakes and they make conscious efforts to avoid them, they could indirectly avoid unwarranted delays in the publication process.
Mar 24, 2017
Axios Review, an independent non-profit peer review service announced that the company plans to shut down and, effective immediately, they will stop accepting further submissions from March 1. This development highlights the question of the sustainability of alternate peer review models in the journal publication workflow.
Mar 23, 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump released the blueprint of his first federal budget for the next year on March 16. He proposed severe cuts to the science budget, sending shockwaves among the scientific community. Read on to know the highlights of his proposal.
Mar 18, 2017
Is there a way to ensure that your results do not end up being irreproducible and you do not face retraction as a result? In this post, Ira Krull discusses all aspects of analytical method validation, giving detailed guidelines for researchers.
Mar 15, 2017
As an author, you want to get published in the right journal by the right editor. Terry Monahan, Managing Editor of the journal Eye and Contact Lens shares her top five tips so you can avoid being rejected.
Mar 8, 2017
Gert Storms, a consulting editor for an American Psychological Association (APA) journal was asked to resign after refusing to review a paper because the author declined his request to share the underlying data for the study.
Mar 6, 2017
Eugene Garfield, pioneer in the field of citation analytics - an obituary
Mar 3, 2017
This month, we have an interesting list of recommendations for you. We tell you about the situation in the UK post Brexit, a recommended list of 15 best practices to rebuild the trust in scholarly publishing, a new proposal to combat the irrerproducibility crisis, fake news about science, couples in research, and much more!
Feb 27, 2017
We have the perfect forum where you can learn about and also clarify all your doubts about the manuscript tracking system. Join our Facebook Live Q&A on March 2, 2017, 8:00 A.M. EST and get all your manuscript submission related questions answered by our expert.
Feb 23, 2017
Rejection is part of academic publishing, and it is by no means an indication of the quality of study or the researcher's worth. This post discusses an anecdote involving Nobel Laureate George Akerlof - how his rejected paper led him to win the most recognized prize in science.
Feb 22, 2017
Hindawi Publishing Corporation announced its decision of ending its membership in the STM Association citing "STM’s overwhelming focus on protecting business models of the past, rather than facilitating new models."
Feb 14, 2017
As per Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data on the investments made by the OECD countries in research and development (R&D) in the year 2015, Israel invested 4.25% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in R&D, which is the highest among all the countries in the world.
Feb 13, 2017
This infographic lists nine ways in which a thesis is different from a journal article. The idea is to help you understand how the two are completely different types of academic writing, meant for different audiences and written for different purposes.
Feb 10, 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump has passed an executive order suspending the issuance of visas to citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, which has sparked panic among academics.
Feb 3, 2017
December 5, 2016, 08:30 AM - December 13, 2016, 18:30 PM UTC 
A lot has happened in the academic world in the first month of the new year - from Donald Trump’s immigration ban creating anxiety among scholars to the disappearance of Jeffrey Beall’s list of questionable journals and publishers. We want you to be tuned in to all the interesting happenings in academia. So here’s a list of snippets of some noteworthy news and publications from this month. Happy reading!
Jan 31, 2017
Most academic journals, search engines, and indexing & abstracting services classify papers using keywords. Choosing the right keywords will help make you paper searchable, thus helping other researchers find your paper when they are conducting a search on the same topic. These tips will show you how you can go about choosing keywords that are the best fit for your paper.Related reading:Why do journals ask for keywords? How to create keywords for a research paper
Jan 25, 2017
The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology has made available the results of the first five studies it attempted to replicate, and their report has taken the world of biology by storm. The findings published in eLife journal state that out of the five studies, only two were successfully repeated, while one failed replication and the remaining two concluded in “uninterpretable results.”
Jan 23, 2017
Scholarly Open Access, a popular blog that listed questionable journals and publishers, has recently been taken down. The blog was maintained by Jeffrey Beall since 2008 who is an academic librarian at the University of Colorado in Denver.
Jan 19, 2017
Each year, about 2.5 million articles are published in scholarly journals worldwide. Countless news articles, e-newsletters, blog posts, and multimedia content such as videos and podcasts are published each year as well. It is not humanly possible to read everything available, and as an author, it’s important for you to help your publisher promote your work to your peers. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is through social media, and this article will outline some tips to get you started and see how self-promotion can pay off.
Jan 19, 2017
Lack of reproducibility is one of the biggest challenges facing science. In this opinion piece, Ira Krull discusses his views on whether there is a way to rectify this problem.
Jan 19, 2017
"How can I interact with highly experienced scientists as a mere student?" This is a question many students and early career researchers face when they attend conferences. This article provides simple tips to successfully navigate through a conference.
Jan 12, 2017
This post contains a list of things you need to do to start promoting your work. This checklist should help you list all your ideas and channels of promotion in one place so that you’re able to keep track of your activities.
Jan 11, 2017
Today, being an academic brings with it the added responsibility of promoting your research in order to generate and demonstrate impact. This post explains how you could develop a promotional checklist – a series of tasks to grow the reach of your papers online that can correlate with your publishing strategy for 2017 and beyond.
Jan 10, 2017
It a general assumption that fraud and plagiarism are some of the most concerning problems facing modern research, but are there more detrimental problems plaguing science? Read on to know what a group of researchers found when they surveyed 1353 attendees of international research integrity conferences about the problems that they thought were the most worrying.
Jan 6, 2017
Given the increasing number of predatory journals and publishers, it is difficult for researchers to verify the authenticity of their target journal. The Think Check Submit checklist helps them identify trusted journals for their research.
Jan 5, 2017
As you brace yourselves to face a new spate of challenges in academic writing and publication in the coming year, we want to support you in your journey with some handy tips. These will, hopefully, make life a bit easier for you in 2017.
Jan 2, 2017
The issues that received attention in the scholarly community in December were related to authorship, high subscription costs of journals, launch of Elsevier’s new metric CiteScore, privacy protection for scientists facing allegations of misconduct, Swiss participation in EU-funded research, and more.
Dec 28, 2016
As the year is drawing to a close, our team of editors have compiled the best content we published in 2016. The curated list includes some thought-provoking articles, great tips from the industry experts, guidance to help researchers tackle some of the commonly encountered problems, and answers to questions that bother many researchers. We’re sure that reading this content would be a great way of welcoming the new year, armed as you would be with more knowledge, confidence, and motivation! We wish you a very happy new year!
Dec 28, 2016
What if there were an academic publication Santa who fulfills the wishes of researchers? What would you ask for?
Dec 24, 2016
Over 60 German academic institutions have annulled their subscription contract with Dutch publishing giant Elsevier, which will leave thousands of researchers without access to several journals owned by Elsevier.
Dec 23, 2016
Not only should your research paper title be attractive but it should also capture the essence of your research. Watch this video to learn how you can create the perfect research paper title.
Dec 22, 2016
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is organizing a free seminar Good Researcher’s Guide to Publishing, which aims at providing guidance and support to early career researchers to help them advance their career.
Dec 19, 2016
On December 8, publishing giant Elsevier announced the launch of a new metric CiteScore, a set of metrics that measure the quality of academic journals. At a time when Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is considered to be losing its hold, Elsevier’s announcement has sparked many discussions and debates around the need for citation metrics and the efficacy of the new metric.
Dec 16, 2016
This is the final segment of the conversation between Dr. Donald Samulack, President US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Dr. Anne Woods, Chief Nursing Officer at WKH, and Shawn Kennedy, Editor in Chief, American Journal of Nursing. In this concluding segment, the discussion centers around how the academic community is closely connected.
Dec 15, 2016
This online course titled Avoid Retractions: Publish Ethically is an effort to provide guided learning on ethics in a simple and systematic manner allowing participants to learn at their own pace and in their own time.
Dec 12, 2016
The library of National Taiwan University (NTU) published a notice on its website saying that from 2017, it planned to discontinue its subscriptions to Elsevier’s ScienceDirect journals, citing high subscription costs as the main reason behind this decision.
Dec 8, 2016
As authors, you are at the center of the academic publishing system. What according to you needs change about academic publishing? Take this survey to let us know: Author perspectives on the academic publishing process
Dec 7, 2016
On 4 December, the Breakthrough Foundation honored physicists, life scientists, and mathematicians with the Breakthrough Prize worth $25 million for making significant contributions to their fields. The Breakthrough Prize is the most lucrative award in science and is often called the “Oscars of science” or the “Silicon Valley’s Nobles.”
Dec 7, 2016
Part four of the conversation between Dr. Donald Samulack, President US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Dr. Anne Woods, Chief Nursing Officer at WKH, and Shawn Kennedy, Editor in Chief, American Journal of Nursing.
Dec 7, 2016
The John Maddox Prize for the year 2016 has been awarded to leading cognitive psychologist Professor Elizabeth Loftus at the University of California, Irvine, as "her findings have altered the course of legal history."
Nov 30, 2016
This article explores five of the most popular tools that researchers are leveraging within Meta Science to stay on top of their research, collaborate with their peers, and enrich the quality of their papers. It will also provide a step-by-step guide to help new Meta Science users take advantage of these same tools.
Nov 30, 2016
November was an eventful month for researchers and non-researchers alike. While Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential elections was much talked about, some other issues in academic research publishing were discussed as well, e.g., a novel technique to curb plagiarism, the scalability of the peer review system, and challenges faced by most researchers.
Nov 29, 2016
Part three of the conversation between Dr. Donald Samulack, President US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Dr. Anne Woods, Chief Nursing Officer at WKH, and Shawn Kennedy, Editor in Chief, American Journal of Nursing. This vignette has some powerful takeaways for authors from the journal editors’ standpoint.
Nov 29, 2016
Synopsis: Often, predatory journals send email invitations to authors to submit their articles and lure them into paying APCs with assurances of publication. However, they do not always live up to their promises of publication. This case study follows one such case and makes authors aware of the tricks that predatory journals use.
Nov 28, 2016
Part two of the conversation between Dr. Donald Samulack, President US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Dr. Anne Woods, Chief Nursing Officer at WKH, and Shawn Kennedy, Editor in Chief, American Journal of Nursing. In this vignette, Shawn concedes that often journal editors face a problem when authors fail to follow author guidelines.
Nov 23, 2016
This month marks the third anniversary of Editage Insights, and we want to thank each one of you for your readership, participation, and feedback. Take a look at what we have achieved together over these three years.
Nov 17, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, President US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Dr. Anne Woods, Chief Nursing Officer at WKH, and Shawn Kennedy, Editor in Chief, American Journal of Nursing. This is the first of an interesting series of vignettes where Dr. Samulack, Dr. Woods, and Shawn talk about several aspects of journal publishing, from journal workflow to publication ethics.
Nov 16, 2016
The theme of Peer Review Week 2016 was “Recognize Review,” and the global scholarly publishing community got together to talk about recognizing or incentivizing peer reviewers. Celebrating the theme, we asked our authors to share small notes of appreciation for reviewers. This slide deck compiles some of the responses we received, which show the important role peer review and reviewers play in the academic publishing system. During Peer Review Week 2016, we also shared these individually on Twitter using the hashtag #DearReviewer. Do you have anything to say? If you’re an author and would like to share a note for reviewers based on your own publishing experience, feel free to leave a comment below. You might also be interested in reading our posts about reviewer recognition:Is being a peer reviewer a kind of recognition in itself? Is the Publons system of recognition the way forward for peer review?
Nov 15, 2016
Brazil's new government headed by President Michel Temer is attempting to pass a constitutional amendment that would hit science funding hard. The Brazilian science community, which is still reeling under the last year’s plunge in science budget, feels that this move would be catastrophic for the country’s scientific enterprise.
Nov 14, 2016
The election of the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as the President of the United States has sparked strong reactions among academics. How would science fare under his governance?
Nov 10, 2016
Did you know that you can avoid some of the most common reasons for journal rejection by paying attention to a few details while writing and submitting your research manuscript to the journal? This free e-book will help you understand what goes into a good research publication and how you can ensure that your paper includes everything a journal editor and reviewer need to see.
Nov 3, 2016
On November 1, Springer Nature announced that Springer and BioMed Central have decided to retract a total of 58 articles published by Iran-based authors across seven journals. The publisher received allegations of plagiarism, following which an investigation was conducted.
Nov 2, 2016
Some of you would agree that staying on top of the happenings in the scholarly world this month was no mean feat! To ensure that you didn’t miss out on any of the buzz, our team of editors has curated the most exciting and thought-provoking deliberations they came across. Happy reading!
Oct 31, 2016
This infographic presents the number and distribution of open access policies and mandates acrosss the globe. The data has been sourced from the Registry of Open Access Repository Mandates and Policies (ROARMAP) database.
Oct 31, 2016
Authors often avoid publishing in open access journals as they are under the misconception that all open access journals charge high APCs. But what if one of the co-authors is keen on publishing open access? The reluctance of the other could then lead to a dispute between the authors. Read on to find out more.
Oct 31, 2016
How can more scholars and journals embrace preprints to make research freely accessible? How are new uses of preprint servers changing the academic publishing landscape? This post
Oct 31, 2016
As an author, are you interested in whether or not to publish your research in an open access (OA) journal? OA publishing has come under a lot of scrutiny in the scholarly community with the ever-increasing growth in the number of predatory publishers and the concern over the quality of OA publications. This article will debunk some of the myths surrounding OA and provide you with some benefits of publishing your research under an OA model.
Oct 31, 2016
Today is the start of the International Open Access Week (also known as OA Week), an annual event organized by the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) for the global scholarly publishing community. As a supporter of the open access movement, Editage Insights is proud to participate in Open Access Week 2016.
Oct 24, 2016
Presenting at an academic conference is an opportunity that most young researchers look forward to. However, addressing a large audience can make you feel nervous, at least the first few times. This article provides a few tips that will help you prepare for your conference presentation and make the process smoother for you.
Oct 12, 2016
The ethics of research in traditional medicine have recently been hotly debated. This post helps authors understand the ethical principles governing publication in traditional medicine journals by outlining six broad aspects to be considered.
Oct 10, 2016
It’s that time again, when all eyes and ears are turned towards the most important announcements of the year – the Nobel Prizes. Let’s take a look at this year’s Nobel Laureates.
Oct 10, 2016
OMICS International, the India-based academic publisher, which is facing serious charges of unethical publishing practices and publishing junk science, has acquired two reputable Canadian publishing companies. This development has sent shock waves throughout the global academic community.
Sep 30, 2016
We’re here, with our list of the most interesting discussions of the month, handpicked by our editors. Besides Peer Review Week, which was highlight of the month, there were exchanges around Elsevier’s patent for online peer review, the emerging trend of outsourcing clinical trials, the need for animal testing in biomedicine, and more.
Sep 29, 2016
The Sentinels of Science awards, launched this year by Publons, recognizes the contribution of peer reviewers and editors.
Sep 29, 2016
Publishing your research in scholarly journals is important, but what may be even more important is getting the scientific information into everyday communication streams, that is, social media. This editorial outlines how best to move your scholarly work into social media outlets and how to track your success in a social media world.
Sep 28, 2016
The Chicago Manual of Style is commonly used by authors writing academic manuscripts as it contains detailed guidelines on various aspects of writing as well as language and grammar. This video introduces you to the Chicago Manual of Style.
Sep 27, 2016
This post provides basic information for those planning to submit a paper to PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA).
Sep 27, 2016
Early career professionals face various challenges while trying to carve a successful career path for themselves. To understand their requirements and problems and help them overcome those, the Society for Scholarly Publishing conducted a survey that focused on areas relating to industry experience, professional development, and organizational benefits. This post shares some of the most significant findings of the survey.
Sep 27, 2016
What happens when a bad review ruins the chances of your manuscript's acceptance? Well of course, you have the option to appeal against the journal's decision. But you should do so only after careful consideration and a knowledge of the journal's policy for appeals.
Sep 27, 2016
Hindawi Publishing Corporation and Editage have announced a new partnership that will provide English-language editing to authors wishing to submit to Hindawi publications.
Sep 26, 2016
In the pursuit of success in academia, early career researchers look out for opportunities to showcase their skills. One way to do this is by peer reviewing. How can this help your career progression? How can you become a peer reviewer? This post provides answers to these questions and shares some useful tips to help you become a peer reviewer.
Sep 24, 2016
The Annals of Improbable Research, a science humor magazine, announced on September 22, the winners of the 2016 Ig Nobel Prizes. Since 1991, these prizes honor the most unusual and imaginative achievements “that make people LAUGH, and then THINK.” The Ig Nobel Prize winners are handed over the prize by Nobel Prize winners in an elaborate ceremony.
Sep 23, 2016
Discussions about peer review usually revolve around incentivizing peer review, acknowledging reviewers, and making their contribution count. But isn’t being a peer reviewer a form of recognition in itself? This post explores this line of thought and questions whether recognition is the strongest motivational factor behind accepting invitations to review.
Sep 22, 2016
If you are a peer reviewer or a journal editor, you must be sending out feedback to authors regularly. Did you know that, often, authors feel demotivated when they receive unclear or negative comments from peer reviewers? By sharing the reactions of some authors who received unclear or negative comments from reviewers, this powerful video conveys the need for reviewers to communicate clearly and with empathy when sharing feedback with authors.
Sep 20, 2016
Peer Review Week 2016 kicks off today and the theme for this year’s event is “recognition for review.” Editage Insights will also participate in the event by hosting a free webinar for peer reviewers and sharing a few exciting resources during the week.
Sep 19, 2016
Often PhD graduates find it difficult to deal with the challenges of a postdoctoral position because they are unprepared to face them. To keep you motivated, we have come up with 8 rhymes which will not only help you survive the postdoc life but also thrive in it.
Sep 16, 2016
The recipients of 2016 Lasker Awards, one of the most prestigious prizes in medicine, were announced by Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation on 13 September. This year, the awards honored major discoveries in physiology and virology, and the work of a scientist who has been promoting science education.
Sep 15, 2016
Confused about how to use the Chicago Manual of Style or Scientific Style and Format when preparing your manuscript?We will soon host a video prepared by experts from The University of Chicago Press, who will explain how to use these manuals and about free trials and subscriptions.You can send them any questions you have beforehand, and they will try and address them in the video itself!
Sep 15, 2016
Nature has announced a new policy by which all papers accepted for publication in Nature and 12 other titles will be required to provide a data-availability statement.
Sep 14, 2016
Early career researchers face countless challenges as they push their way through the academic publishing world. Most of these issues are experienced by many but are never openly addressed. In this post, a researcher from Jordan shares her experiences as an academician.
Sep 9, 2016
Typically, after researchers are accused of misconduct, the institutions they are affiliated with conduct further investigations. Instances where misconduct leads to prosecution are rare. However, some science professionals state that research misconduct should be criminalized. Would considering academic fraud a criminal offence be fair to researchers? Would such a step encourage researchers to be ethical and honest? Is it possible to deal with research misconduct in a courtroom?
Sep 8, 2016
The U.S. Patent Office issued a patent titled “Online peer review system and method” to the leading academic publisher Elsevier, which has evoked strong reactions from the advocates of open access publishing.
Sep 5, 2016
September 1, 2016, 13:15 PM - September 1, 2016, 13:15 PM UTC 
The Editage Insights team participated in the 2016 meeting of the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE) at the Carlton Palace Hotel in Deira, Dubai, on August 10 and 11, The meeting was attended by 180 people including ACSE members, journal editors, researchers, and publishing professionals.
Sep 1, 2016
Exactly a year ago, we started sharing monthly updates about trending discussions in academic publishing. Continuing this initiative, this month, we'd like you to read these articles about publishing costs, predatory publishing, academic misconduct and bad science. We've also included some interviews and blogs to keep you reading!
Aug 31, 2016
This article explains some points of style in scientific writing related to using negative exponents in expressing rates.
Aug 31, 2016
This post provides factual information and submission tips about the journal Nature Methods for the researchers who plan to submit articles to the journal.
Aug 31, 2016
A thesis and a journal article are two different sub-genres of academic writing. This article explains the difference between the two and provides tips on how you can rewrite your thesis in the form of a journal article.
Aug 30, 2016
In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has charged OMICS Group, Inc. for deceiving researchers and academicians about publication fees, peer review process, and the nature of its publications.
Aug 29, 2016
The impact factor has for a long time been a measure of journal prestige. Most authors wish to publish their papers in the so called high impact journals, even though it means added costs in terms of time and effort. Is this trend of chasing the impact factor worth all the trouble?
Aug 29, 2016
Aspiring scholars rightly recognize publication of their first peer-reviewed paper as a critical career milestone. It signals active engagement with the discourse in a field and contribution to the body of knowledge. Student and trainee publication is thrilling in a positive way when it is successful but, in many cases, is also fraught with challenges and pitfalls. Inexperience and competing interests in the high-stakes endeavor of academic publishing can generate a quivering of negative emotion when the process goes awry. This article provides information about some common issues and guidance about how to best approach them to engender a positive experience.
Aug 29, 2016
English language journals are rapidly being launched in China by Chinese universities and publishers, according to The Publishers Association’s new report PA Market Report China Journals. The report released on 24 August states that the Chinese journal market, which is worth around 24 billion yuan, is expanding rapidly with the addition of new English journals.
Aug 25, 2016
What are the correct ways of including citations into the text of research papers? This article illustrates two ways of inserting citations into research papers depending on what is being emphasized---the names of authors or their findings.
Aug 18, 2016
This post summarizes the information of interest to potential contributors to the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Aug 18, 2016
As a PhD student, you must have invested months in collecting and analyzing data and writing your doctoral thesis or dissertation. Why not make optimum use of all this material and convert your thesis into one or more journal articles? The first article of this series aims to guide young researchers on the ethical aspects of using content from a thesis or dissertation in a journal article.
Aug 17, 2016
The American Chemical Society (ACS) announced on 10 August that plans to start a preprint server exclusively for chemistry papers.
Aug 12, 2016
Journal rejection is considered a natural part of the publication process. However, top-tier journals are more inclined toward rejecting a paper than accepting it, which Neil Herndon, the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Marketing Channels, calls "gotcha reviewing." What does this phenonmenon mean for academic publishing? Why do journals indulge in mass rejection of manuscripts? This post discusses these issues in depth.
Aug 10, 2016
Many authors, particularly those who lack fluency in English, often take the assistance of professional medical writing services. However, authors should be extremely cautious when choosing such services as unethical actions of the medical writer can be damaging for the manuscript.
Aug 9, 2016
July 18, 2016, 10:30 AM - July 22, 2016, 10:30 AM UTC 
Are you planning to submit a research paper to the journal International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics? This post provides factual information, tips, and guidance to authors.
Aug 8, 2016
On 4 August, the US federal agency National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it would lift the funding moratorium that it had imposed on HIH-funded research, prohibiting researchers from creating chimeras.
Aug 5, 2016
Did your busy schedule keep you from following the hottest topics of discussion in the scholarly circles? Worry not! Our team of editors has been on top of the goings-on in academia and has curated a list of the most interesting discussions in the month of July. With exchanges buzzing around impact factor and its efficacy, open access mandates,
Jul 29, 2016
What are some of the biggest concerns facing science? A recently conducted survey by one of the leading news websites Vox involving 270 researchers provides answers to this question and serves as a wakeup call for academia. The science community needs to take notice of these issues and fix them in order to avoid the stagnation of scientific progress.
Jul 29, 2016
The European Research Council has announced that it will begin monitoring the economic and social outcomes of the research projects that it has commissioned.
Jul 29, 2016
Most journals require complete disclosure of potential conflicts of interest from authors at the time of submission.However, it is sometimes difficult for authors to understand what to include in the disclosure. This case study tracks one such case where failure to disclose a conflict of interest led the journal to seek an explanation from the author.
Jul 28, 2016
Editorial Manager® (EM) is the manuscript submission system of choice for many well-known journals. This post provides step-by-step instructions on how authors can use this system to submit their manuscript as well as track it on the system.
Jul 27, 2016
Peer review is regarded as one of the mainstays of academic publishing. It is conceivably the most trusted method to weed out invalid and suspicious research and improve the quality of published research. Therefore, journals across disciplines have adopted peer review as a core part of the publishing process to uphold academic standards of ethics, validity, and reliability.
Jul 26, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Euan Adie, Founder and CEO of Altmetric. In this concluding interview segment, Euan shares the origins and evolution of Altmetric, first as a means of helping publishers direct the traffic to their website and now as a tool aiding the discoverability of research.
Jul 26, 2016
The Netherlands’ largest research funding agency, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), has announced the launch of a €3 million grants programme devoted to replication studies. According to
Jul 22, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Euan Adie, Founder and CEO of Altmetric. In this segment, Euan explains the difference between Altmetric and alternative metrics.
Jul 19, 2016
This post provides information that potential contributors to the journal Angewandte Chemie would find useful. From editorial information and impact factor to some useful links for authors, this post includes everything
Jul 18, 2016
Irreproducibility is one the most widely discussed topics in the scholarly circles. While it is common knowledge that there is a crisis of reproducibility, finding a way around it has proved to be difficult, primarily because there is no commonly agreed definition of the term.
Jul 15, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Euan Adie, Founder and CEO of Altmetric. In this segment, Euan expands on this trend and emphasizes the need for researchers across the globe to focus on altmetrics and on using this data to provide evidence of the impact their work has had.
Jul 15, 2016
Qatar is rapidly gaining popularity as one of the top destinations for researchers across the globe. The country is trying to transition into a knowledge economy, and is therefore, investing heavily in higher education and research. The article explains in detail the reason behind Qatar's growing popularity among the science community.
Jul 14, 2016
On July 10, Thomson Reuters announced plans to sell its intellectual property and science business to private-equity funds affiliated with Onex Corporation and Baring Private
Jul 12, 2016
The German government has signed an agreement to fund 1000 new tenure-track positions in an attempt to improve the job situation in the country. This announcement, made on June 16 by President Angela Merkel, reflects the federal government’s efforts to retain young talent within the country.Germany is one of the leading nations i
Jul 8, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Euan Adie, Founder and CEO of Altmetric. In this segment, Euan explains how Altmetric captures data in different ways from global social media platforms, with a particular focus on Asian countries.
Jul 8, 2016
Getting scooped is a major fear that most scientists battle. It can be extremely upsetting if an author gets scooped due to delays in the journal publication process. As an author, how can you establish your priority over the theory or discovery that you have spent months working on? Read on to find out.
Jul 7, 2016
Editage, a leader in English-language editing and publication, has partnered with Knowledge E, a provider of research and publishing services, to provide manuscript preparation support to authors throughout the Middle East. Researchers will now have access to a range of services including English-language editing, translation, plagiarism check, peer-review support and technical review.
Jul 7, 2016
Over 1000 researchers in Canada are protesting the changes in the peer review system rolled out by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), a federal funding agency that supports biomedical research in Canada.
Jul 5, 2016
What do you need to know before and while working on a clinical trial? This slide deck tells you more about the things you need to remember when preparing to publish your clinical trial, from developing a research protocol and getting informed consent from study participants to registering your trial and preparing a clinical trial manuscript. Related readingAn introduction to clinical trials (Part 1: The basics) A young researcher’s guide to a clinical trial What every medical researcher should know about registering clinical trials
Jul 5, 2016
This post offers information and tips to authors planning to submit a paper to the journal Corrosion Science.
Jul 5, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Euan Adie, Founder and CEO of Altmetric. In this third vignette of the interview series about Altmetric, Euan Adie explains how you can find or locate Altmetric data.
Jul 1, 2016
Success in academia is increasingly tied to public engagement, and scientists have to engage with the media to promote their research and explain its significance to the public. This online training course by SciDev.Net is designed to help scientists who wish to improve their media engagement skills.
Jul 1, 2016
In June, most of the discussion in scholarly circles revolved around misconduct, corruption and credibility in science, the future of science communication, and of course, Brexit.
Jun 29, 2016
Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) has sent massive shockwaves throughout the world. While the economists and politicians are worried about the economic stability of the nation post the decision to exit, British academics have expressed a different set of concerns. A majority of academics in Britain, including s
Jun 29, 2016
Productive scientists are also writers who, at once, communicate with each other and create the scientific record through publication in peer-reviewed journals. The purpose of this article is to describe “Steps to Success” in finding the right journal to disseminate your research.
Jun 29, 2016
Authors sometimes have preconceived ideas about copyright. Some authors are under the impression that open access articles do not have copyright. Such a mistaken idea led an author to make an unintended copyright breach. Read on to find out more.
Jun 28, 2016
The CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology is inching closer towards clinical trials with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) approving a proposal to use it in cancer treatment.On June 21, the NIH’s Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) – a federal ethics and biosafety panel – gave its c
Jun 24, 2016
One of the most challenging problems that academia is dealing with is misconduct in research. However, tackling the ever-increasing incidents of misconduct is challenging because of the complexity of the issue. It is a big loss to academia if researchers indulging in less offensive misconduct are given harsh punishments such as suspending their services or taking away their grants. So how can academia tackle this situation?
Jun 22, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, is in conversation with Euan Adie, Founder and CEO of Altmetric. This is the second of a series of interview vignettes. Here, Euan talks about the various types of information Altmetric captures.
Jun 16, 2016
Since 2012, scholarly publishing has seen a boom in useful discussions about alternative metrics; science for the public; and measuring research impact in terms of how it touches and improves people’s lives, how much it’s being discussed on social media, and how many lay people are aware of it. But what about the ground reality of how research impact is measured? This editorial puts forth some interesting perspectives on where the impact factor fits in academia today.
Jun 16, 2016
Many people are of the opinion that the impact factor is the ultimate measure of a researcher’s success and journal’s prestige. What do academic publishing experts think? Here, we bring you some excerpts from our interviews with industry experts who have expressed their views on the impact factor.
Jun 16, 2016
This post presents information essential to those planning to contribute an article to the journal Thorax.
Jun 15, 2016
Editage has partnered with Cabell’s to provide manuscript preparation services to authors through Cabell’s Editing Services. Editage, a leader in English-language editing and publication support services, will mak
Jun 14, 2016
The much awaited Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports® 2016 has been finally released. The JCR is the world’s most influential resource for evaluating peer-reviewed publications and the source of annual journal metrics, including the Journal Impact Factors (JIF)
Jun 14, 2016
Proposals are under way to name the four new additions to the periodic table, which were confirmed in December 2015 by International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The
Jun 10, 2016
Dr. Donald Samulack, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Euan Adie, Founder and CEO of Altmetric. The first part of this interview series provides a basic introduction to Altmetric.
Jun 10, 2016
Science funding in China has all along been weighed down by outdated administrative rules and regulations making it tedious for scientists and diverting their time away from research. In a new move to expedite science and increase the productivity of researchers, the Chinese government has decided to minimize red tape in research funding
Jun 9, 2016
The Shaw Prize is a highly esteemed international award that recognizes the achievements of scholars in the fields of astronomy, life sciences and medicine, and mathematical sciences. The Shaw Laureates for 2016 were announced on 31 May at a press conference in Hong Kong.
Jun 3, 2016
Irreproducibility of published results is considered a modern-day crisis that science is facing. However, the lack of a commonly agreed definition of reproducibility and the various opinions on what underlies the issue prompted Nature to conduct a survey.
Jun 3, 2016
A report released by Sense of Science on 2 June has revealed that the UK government has no account of the research it has funded to develop policies and has delayed the publishing of several findings. The inquiry, headed by former Lord Justice of Appeal
Jun 3, 2016
Sustainability science is becoming increasingly collaborative and global, a recent report found, but researchers say cooperation between scientists from the North and South remains scarce and unbalanced.
Jun 2, 2016
Most governments and the scientific community in general aim to have a humane approach towards animals used in research. Therefore, it is important for authors to follow the guidelines required for reporting animal research. But what if an author is not aware of the necessary guidelines?
Jun 1, 2016
Europe’s Competitiveness Council has declared that all online research papers supported by public and public-private funding will be made freely accessible by the year 2020. Competitiveness Council comprises of ministers related to internal market, industry, space, and research and innovation from all European Union member states and is h
May 31, 2016
To circumvent the delays that are inevitable in the journal publication process, scientists these days post preprints of their articles. What exactly are preprints? Why do authors use them? This article introduces you to preprints and explains how they can facilitate research dissemination.
May 31, 2016
What was the academic publishing industry talking about in May 2016? We bring you a quick overview of some of the hot topics of discussion: data sharing, retractions, author recognition, the reproducibility crisis, and much more. Happy reading!
May 31, 2016
Traditionally the province of rogue individuals, academic misconduct has entered a new era in which third parties are exploiting submission loopholes to manipulate the peer review process. Consequently, authors should be aware that not all editorial service providers operate within the bounds of accepted ethical standards. In reaction, the editorial services industry is launching a new initiative to institute operational guidelines for editorial service providers.
May 31, 2016
Santa Cruz Biotechnology, a large biotech company and a major antibody provider, has been fined $3.5-million by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for violating animal welfare regulations. Apart from this, it will also lose its government license and its registration to operate as a facility that uses animals for research.
May 26, 2016
Retractions are central to academic publishing, but they have been too journal-centric and stereotyped. Therefore, researchers hesitate to disclose even honest errors in their papers for the fear of losing their reputation due to retraction. There have been discussions around making retractions more author-centric rather than it being a tool used predominantly by editors to announce misconduct. Would a self-retraction system motivate authors to step up and announce honest errors?
May 25, 2016
As an author, you might be relieved once your paper receives a conditional acceptance. But what if the journal rejects the paper later, not because the revisions are not satisfactory, but just because the editor is changing?
May 24, 2016
The Coalition for Responsible Publication Resources (CRPR) has received industry support and is one step closer to its mission to help preserve the integrity of the scholarly literature by sharing industry knowledge of irresponsible and in some cases predatory practices associated with academic publishing.
May 24, 2016
We bring you the top six myths about open access publishing and clarify for you these common areas of misunderstanding.
May 23, 2016
This study tries to understand what kind of reviewer comments authors, particularly non-native English speaking authors from China, perceive as negative; how they react to negative reviewer comments; and what, if any, long-term impact such comments have on the authors’ confidence and motivation levels.
May 23, 2016
This post provides essential information for those planning to submit a research paper to the journal Applied Ergonomics.
May 20, 2016
On May 13, the U.S. government announced the launch of a National Microbiome Initiative to study and map the microorganisms that live in the atmosphere, in or on the human body, and any other ecosystems.
May 18, 2016
The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) announced that it has delisted about 3,300 titles in order to ensure that questionable and inactive publishers do not find their way into the directory.
May 11, 2016
P value is the most commonly reported statistic in research papers, and yet is widely misunderstood and misused. Recently, the American Statistical Association (ASA) released the “Statement on Statistical Significance and P-Values,” outlining six principles pertaining to appropriate use and interpretation of p values, which this article will discuss.
May 11, 2016
Should access to academic research be free? In the past year, this seemingly moral issue took a legal twist with Elsevier suing the founder of Sci-Hub. This website which provides unauthorized access to almost all paywalled research papers has become the bone of contention between researchers and publishers.
May 11, 2016
This post provides concise guidance for authors planning to contribute to The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science published by the Japanese Society for Veterinary Science.
May 10, 2016
The month of April saw recurring deliberations on interesting topics such as the evolution of peer review and its current state, the Sci-Hub initiative, career development of researchers, retraction, and so forth. This post shares some of the most interesting trends in academia this month.
Apr 30, 2016
Do you want to become a peer reviewer for a journal? Do you know the kinds of questions peer reviewers ask and the best practices peer reviewers follow when reviewing a paper? Knowing how peer reviewers may assess your article and the questions they may ask can guide you in submitting the best possible version of your article and improve your chances of publication.
Apr 22, 2016
In a surprising move, Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff signed a law that would allow the sale and production of an untested cancer compound called synthetic phosphoethanolamine. The law that came into effect on April 14 would give any patient with a certified cancer diagnosis access to the compound without the need of a prescription. The law came into effect s
Apr 21, 2016
International mobility among researchers has increased, and policymakers are interested in knowing the factors that influence researchers’ employment decisions. This post highlights some of the important trends revealed in a National Science Foundation's report that tracks the number of graduates who intend stay in the U.S. at the time of graduation, the reasons underlying their decision, and their work conditions.
Apr 20, 2016
This video shares seven mistakes researchers typically make before, during, and after attending a career expo.
Apr 19, 2016
The UK Biobank, a nonprofit biological data repository, announced its plan to create the biggest database of scanned images of internal organs. The project aims to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other standard techniques on the heart, brain, fat, bones, and arteries to understand the
Apr 15, 2016
Researchers considering Biological Psychiatry will find essential information and submission facts about the journal.
Apr 15, 2016
The academic job market is extremely competitive. You will have to stay ahead of the curve to be able to get a foothold in academia. This post will share tips to help you during the academic job search process so that you feel more confident during and in control of your job search.
Apr 15, 2016
A postdoc position is often looked upon as a stepping stone to a tenure track faculty position. But a postdoc also involves a unique set of challenges which many PhD graduates do not anticipate when they apply. In this post, I look at some of the challenges faced by postdocs and offer tips on how you can avoid them if you are considering postdoctoral research after your PhD.
TrendingApr 13, 2016
If you are aspiring to pursue your PhD in the US, this post is just what you need. Navigating the PhD is challenging in itself, and when you have to pursue a PhD abroad, it seems like a daunting task. Dr. Nirupama Sridhar shares four practices that helped her cope with the pressure of navigating a PhD in a new academic culture and environment.
Apr 11, 2016
The process for an academic interview is quite different from a regular interview. This post explains what an academic interview is like and provides some tips on how you can prepare for it.
Apr 8, 2016
Having a good academic CV is the first and perhaps most crucial step towards getting started on your career path after your PhD. Most often, the CV is the door that leads to interview calls. This post gives some helpful tips on how to create a CV that will appeal to potential employers.
Apr 7, 2016
“Should I stay in academia or join the industry?” is a question every PhD student or postdoctoral researcher faces as he or she draw closer to completing research. This post will take a closer look at the career paths available to researchers from five broad scientific fields – the life sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering. While academic research is often regarded as a preferred career path for postdocs, industry holds as much allure with the wide spectrum of options it offers to newly minted researchers. Therefore, the PhDs and postdocs from these disciplines would get a better idea about the variety of career paths available to them as well as current employment trends in their field.
Apr 6, 2016
Get your career-related questions answered live by these experts!
Apr 5, 2016
Editage has partnered with IOP Publishing, a publisher of academic research in physics and engineering, to provide manuscript preparation services to authors through IOP Editing Services. IOP Editing Services will be available to all authors, regardless of where they wish to publish. A range of pricing and delivery time options will ensure that authors can choose the level of assistance that best suits their needs.
Apr 5, 2016
The London Book Fair (LBF), which is now in its 45th year, will take place from 12-14 April 2016. This event is an amalgamation of readers, writers, publishers, and even gamers who exchange ideas and explore new ways of delivering content. This annual event attracts 25,000 publishing professionals from over 124 countries, and the academic community is a major representative in the event.
Apr 5, 2016
Often, PhDs and postdocs are confused about choosing the right career after their research and most often they do not know that there are several options available to researchers within and outside academia. This infographic charts 15 such career paths you could explore after completing your PhD or postdoc.
Apr 4, 2016
Choosing to pursue a PhD or postdoc requires you to make a huge investment. During your program, you invest your time, money, and dreams into doing something you love. Therefore, it is essential for you to ensure that after your research, you find a job you love. PhD students are often confused and anxious about choosing the right career path after their program.
Mar 31, 2016
The unpredictable nature of the journal decision-making process and the delays involved make it a stressful experience for authors. In this article, an experienced journal editor offers some recommendations to authors, reviewers, and editors that would help improve the editorial decision making process and make it more efficient.
Mar 30, 2016
The month of March has brought some interesting developments in the scholarly publishing scene: boost in research funding, data sharing mandates, retractions due to honest error and academics' protests in Turkey. This post shares some of the most interesting trends in academia this month.
Mar 30, 2016
With transparency and reproducibility coming under the spotlight, we frequently encounter statements such as “Science is broken” and “Science needs to be fixed.” Therefore, to ensure the credibility and integrity of published research, various initiatives have been undertaken to channelize scientific inquiry. But can the questioning of published research, in fact, affect science? This post explores different views on this issue and tries to establish whether researchers should be wary of requests for data.
Mar 25, 2016
This post offers important information and submission tips to prospective contributors to the Korean Journal of Pediatrics.
Mar 25, 2016
The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters announced on March 15 that the Abel Prize for 2016 was awarded to Sir Andrew J. Wiles from the University of Oxford, “for his stunning proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem by way of the modularity conjecture for semistable elliptic curves, opening a new era
Mar 18, 2016
Once a paper is submitted to a journal, authors eagerly wait for the editorial decision. But how does the editor actually take the decision on a manuscript? This article explains the sequence of events that lead from peer review to editorial decision making: how the AE procures the completed reviews, assesses them, and finally comes to a decision on whether to accept the manuscript, request revisions, or reject it.
Mar 15, 2016
Many researchers indulge in what is known as ‘outcome switching,’ which means the trial report does not include outcomes that are part of the pre-registration, or includes new outcomes without any underlying explanation. Switching of outcomes can have an impact on healthcare and scientific advancement. Why are journal editors and trial sponsors unable to put a stop to this phenomenon? Could accurate reporting in clinical trials help in countering the reproducibility crisis that science is facing? This post discusses these and more vital questions related to clinical trial reporting.
Mar 14, 2016
Authors are often disappointed when their manuscript is rejected after initial screening and are left wondering what was wrong with the paper and why it was not even sent for peer review. Often, an effective cover letter and abstract can help to get your paper through the initial editorial screening.
Mar 14, 2016
Register now for the 2016 Asian Conference of the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors (ISMTE), to be held on April 4-5 in Singapore. The conference, themed "Best Practices in Scholarly Publishing", promises to be very engaging and informative.
Mar 11, 2016
A recently published paper titled “Trends and comparison of female first authorship in high impact medical journals: observational study (1994-2014)” reported that female first authorship among original research articles in top medical journals has grown by a third in the past two dec
Mar 8, 2016
Clinical trials constitute a critical stage of clinical research and it is important to understand what clinical trials are and what forms they take. In this slide deck, we will tell you more about the types and phases of clinical trials.
Mar 8, 2016
This video shows you how you can create an outline for a research paper that follows an IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion) structure.
Mar 4, 2016
Asia is one of the powerhouses of global research and development performance, and the Republic of Korea has emerged as one of the leading Asian nations in terms of innovation and economic growth. Despite facing a financial crisis due to the extensive focus on a few fundamental industries, Korea has the potential of becoming a global leader in innovation and research. This post attempts to look closely at some frequently contemplated questions such as: Can Korea become a global leader in science and research? What are the trends in Korean academia and industry? Can it compete with the Asian superpowers China and Japan?
Mar 4, 2016
In February 2016, the scholarly publishing landscape was abuzz with discussions on topics like irroproducibility, government policy, struggles faced by postdocs, and delays in journal publishing. We tracked several science forums and blogs to follow up on these discussions and bring you an overview in this post. Happy reading!
Feb 29, 2016
Most of us know that DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) help keep track of and trace research publications and scientific data. But what are DOIs? How do they work? And how do they benefit researchers? This infographic answers all basic questions about DOIs and tells you how you can use them.
Feb 23, 2016
Often, bogus or predatory journals send email invitations to authors to submit their articles, luring them with promises of quick publication. What happens when an author falls prey to such a bogus journal? How can authors assess the credibility of a journal?
Feb 22, 2016
This post provides quick facts and submission tips to those planning to submit research papers to the journal Blood.
Feb 22, 2016
Have you received an e-mail inviting you to submit your paper to a journal that sounds familiar and the list of editorial board members are well-credentialed professionals? Their invitations are tempting, promising speedy peer review and publication. If you’re a new author who is eager to publish, you might respond. And you might be dismayed to find that, upon submission, a hefty article processing fee is charged and your article receives little or no dissemination. This article takes a look at predatory publishers and shares a few simple steps on how you can protect your research.
Feb 21, 2016
The Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) and the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) have organized a seminar with the aim of examining the “emerging trends in scholarly communication from the perspective of the publication and long-term access to the scholarly record” on March 8 in London.
Feb 18, 2016
What happens to a manuscript once it is submitted to a journal? This article, written by an experienced journal editor, throws light on what exactly the role of the Associate Editor (AE) entails, how an AE is assigned for each submission, and how the AE decides whether to desk reject a paper or send it for peer review.
Feb 17, 2016
As an author, it is quite difficult to write concisely. After all, you have so much to say! But when submitting your manuscript to a journal, you must ensure that you meet the required word count. Let us look at some areas you can focus on to keep your manuscript concise. Do you use any other techniques to reduce wordiness in your manuscript? Share your tips with us in the comment box below.
Feb 15, 2016
In an effort to put a stop to the current Zika virus outbreak, some leading academic journals, health bodies, research funders, and research institutions have signed a declaration to share relevant data and results pertaining to the Zika virus.The
Feb 12, 2016
Are you committed to the cause of science and ethical publication? Spare a moment to pledge your commitment to upholding ethical research and publication practices.
Feb 11, 2016
Globally, science and technology is making great strides. Remarkably, developing nations are fast catching up with the developed nations in terms of R&D investment, technological advances, research output, and research outreach. To map these changes and latest trends world over, the NSF has put together a report Science & Engineering Indicators 2016 that was released in January 2016.
Feb 10, 2016
Amgen, an American multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in California, announced in a press release that it will publish three studies that failed to confirm the findings in a new F1000Research journal.
Feb 9, 2016
The first month of 2016 was buzzing with a lot of activity on the scholarly communications front. To help you stay on top of the happenings in the academic publishing industry, our team of editors has curated some of the most interesting content published over the month. Of all the topics, open access, reproducibility of research, transparency in science, and gender bias in academia were some of the most recurrent themes discussed across science forums and blogs.
Jan 29, 2016
Time and again, the media has been accused of distorting the image of science. But is bad journalism the only reason behind the mistrust in and misrepresentation of science? A recently published study made an interesting revelation that journals are as responsible as, or maybe even more than media, for biased reporting of science. So who’s responsible for misrepresenting science – media or journals?
Jan 29, 2016
How serious is an erratum, expression of concern, or a retraction? They should all be avoided as they do not reflect well on your research if it needs to be corrected or a statement is issued that calls your article’s integrity into question. Publishers have a responsibility to correct the publication record when required, but you will not be surprised to read that they and the editors of a journal want to avoid publishing an article with mistakes or fraudulent research and having to write an erratum, expression of concern, or retraction. This article describes each of these publication notices and points to the resources of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for further reading.
Jan 28, 2016
While government-funded projects such as the Human Genome Project have been open about sharing their data, McGill University’s Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) has become the first scientific institute to implement open science as a policy.
Jan 25, 2016
Hosted and co-organised by the Japan Science and Technology Agency under the theme “Making data sharing work in the era of Open Science” the 7th Research Data Alliance (RDA) Plenary meeting will be held in Tokyo, Japan from the 1st to the 3rd of March 2016.
Jan 25, 2016
We have heard of authors not being given credit for a work they have significantly contributed to. However, have you heard of any author who himself wishes to remain anonymous? In some rare cases, it may so happen that publishing a study under his or her name could pose a threat to an author. In such cases, is it possible to publish anonymously? Read on to find out more.
Jan 22, 2016
Find the most essential information you will need to submit research papers to Energy, the journal published by Elsevier.
Jan 21, 2016
While the advocates of open science stress on transparency and accessibility, there is a growing sentiment among some scientific folk about the need for nondisclosure of certain details in publishing, to counter the the “status over merit” culture of academia. This article explores the role anonymity plays in scientific publication and whether removing all indentifiers from a published work would help science.
Jan 21, 2016
In a tragic incident, a clinical trial of an experimental drug being conducted in France went wrong, causing the death of one volunteer and neurological complications in five others. Bial, a Portuguese pharmaceutical company that sponsored the trial, confirmed
Jan 20, 2016
Editage has collaborated with Axios Review through which customers of Editage and Axios Review can access discounted services—high-quality editing and translation services from Editage, and peer review services from Axios Review—for manuscripts in the fields of evolutionary and ecological research.
Jan 20, 2016
A literature review is a critical summary of all the published works on a particular topic. Most research papers include a section on literature review as part of the introduction. However, a literature review can also be published as a standalone article and is a particularly useful format for early-career researchers who want to start their publication journey. These slides will help you grasp the basics of writing a literature review. For more detailed advice, read A young researcher’s guide to writing a literature review.
Jan 18, 2016
A fierce legal battle has ensued between two research groups over the patenting rights of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique. CRISPR, short for ‘clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats,’ was hailed as one of the biggest breakthroughs of 2014 as it
Jan 15, 2016
The pressure to publish or perish can make authors desperate to increase their publication count. However, being tempted to divide a single study and publish it as multiple articles can lead to trouble. Read on to find out more.
Jan 15, 2016
With science becoming increasingly competitive, every published paper is seen as a step up the ladder of success. Thus, blocking or delaying publication of an academic paper has become a way for unscrupulous scientists to put pressure on their peers, negotiate, and get what they want. This article shares a few situations in which papers can be unfairly held hostage, hindering scientific progress.
Jan 8, 2016
While the phenomenon of retraction has received a lot of attention from the scientific community, what has not received enough eyeballs are retraction notices. Most journals do not provide the reasons behind retraction, and thus, the negative connotation about retraction continues to prevail. Apart from this, ambiguous reraction notices are damaging to scientific progress. Questions about what an ideal retraction notice should look like, what journals and authors can do to bring more transparency to retractions, and how this will help science form the main premise of this opinion piece.
Jan 7, 2016
On December 30, the US-based International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), announced that the claims of discovery of elements 113, 115, 117, and 118 were verified and that they would now be part of the periodic table.
Jan 6, 2016
As the scholarly publishing community looks forward to dealing with new developments and emerging trends, researchers the world over brace themselves to better manage publication pressures. So have you made any academic resolutions for 2016? Share them with us and we'll help you out.
Jan 5, 2016
2015 was a busy year for the academic publishing world, with many trend-setting practices, significant discoveries, and innovations. During the year, we spoke to several experts from the publishing industry to know their thoughts about these trends. Here, we bring you extracts of the knowledge they shared to help you get first-hand advice on academic publication. Do you have any questions/comments for our experts? Share your questions/comments for our experts in the comment box below. We will share your question/comment with the expert you’d like to talk to and also get them to respond to you. Do remember to mention the name of the expert you’d like to reach out to: for example, @Mark Hahnel: I have a question on data management…
Jan 4, 2016
This post offers concise information for those planning to submit a paper to Psychological Science.
Jan 4, 2016
Last year, we shared with you the most common questions researchers asked us on our Q&A Forum and noticed that a lot of researchers found this list helpful. So continuing the trend, this post lists the top 10 questions addressed to the Editage Insights team with a gist of the answers. We'd like to add that 2015 has been a truly exciting year for the Editage Insights team: we were on our toes, answering the flood of questions pouring in from researchers across the world.
Dec 31, 2015
December has been an eventful month for science. This post lists some of the most interesting news items handpicked by our team of editors. From the historic climate summit in Paris to interesting developments on the scholarly publishing scene, we bring you some snippets from the goings on in academia this month.
Dec 29, 2015
ORCID (Open Research and Contributor Identifier), a non-profit, community-based initiative aimed at creating unique identifiers for researchers, conducted a survey to understand researchers’ awareness and perceptions of ORCID.
Dec 29, 2015
Nine Italian researchers and a public official, who were working to control the spread of a deadly bacterium that kills olive trees, have been accused of worsening the transmission of the pathogen and are under investigation.
Dec 23, 2015
Faced with negative results and a publication bias, authors sometimes resort to unethical means such as tweaking the data or changing the research question, in their desperation to publish their research.This article follows one such case.
Dec 22, 2015
In December 2014, Nature Publishing Group had launched a content sharing initiative as a trial for one year using ReadCube. NPG has announced the success of the initiative and its long-term use.
Dec 21, 2015
It is well known that the number of PhD holders is increasing every year, but what is not so well known is the career path they choose. How many of them continue to be a part of academia, how many join the industry, and how much do they earn? A recent study throws light on this.
Dec 21, 2015
Researchers scramble to boost their publication record by targeting to publish in high impact factor journals as their career advancement depends on it. Consequentially, most researchers face a dilemma while choosing a research question: choosing a novel idea is risky as it may or may not yield positive results whereas a conventional idea anchored in established areas is more likely to lead to desired but not exciting results. What do most researchers end up choosing? Does their choice affect science as a whole?
Dec 16, 2015
The graphical abstract is a relatively new concept. while it is fast gaining popularity with journals, authors are not yet very familiar with the idea. Inadequate journal guidelines about such new concepts can be very inconvenient for authors. What happens when an author is requested by the editor to add a graphical abstract, but the journal website has no clear guidelines about this?
Dec 15, 2015
Science has seldom been a topic of drawing room conversations. The general public tends to believe that science is a complex subject that is best left to its stakeholders – the researchers. Moreover, they perceive researchers as an elite and reclusive crowd that sits in ivory towers. This communication gap between researchers and the public has given rise to several problems that have impacted science and public welfare. Is it time for researchers to break the bubble and reach out to the public. But why do researchers hesitate to take an initiative to engage with the non-scientific community? And would public engagement help the public, researchers, and science?
Dec 10, 2015
Use #DearDrEddy on Twitter to join Editage Insights on December 17 and 18, from 14:00 to 15:00 UTC, for a live Q&A session with Dr. Eddy, who represents the collective knowledge and expertise of our team of publication experts. This is your chance to tie up all those loose ends before the holidays and ask us ANY question related to academic publishing.
Dec 9, 2015
In this final part of our interview series with Rachael Lammey, Product Manager at CrossRef, she talks about how it is important for smaller publishers or those who currently do not have advanced technical infrastructure to be able to improve the quality of the research they publish.
Dec 9, 2015
This post describes the different kinds of word-related information that a dictionary offers, including meaning, usage, pronunciation, etymology, etc.
Dec 7, 2015
This post shows how English monolingual dictionaries differ in terms of the number of words, quotations, sequence in which different meanings of the same word are presented, illustrations, and the variety of English (American, British, Canadian, and Australian).
Dec 7, 2015
In this vignette, Rachael Lammey, Product Manager at CrossRef, covers an interesting topic – the use of technology in publishing.
Dec 2, 2015
Should germline modification be allowed on human embryos? To discuss this issue, geneticists from across the globe will meet in the International Summit on Human Gene Editing, which will kick off in Washington DC today.
Dec 1, 2015
November was an interesting month for the scholarly communication folks. This month was marked by discussions around irreproducibility, authorship conflict, and costs of publishing among others. Our editors followed all of these deliberations and would like to give you a glimpse into the most engaging perspectives on research
Nov 30, 2015
The role and definition of authorship in scientific and medical publishing has become increasingly complicated in recent years. With a proliferation of collaboration and co-authorship in academic writing, it has become harder to differentiate between a “contributor” and an “author.” This post takes a closer look at the evolving concept of authorship.
Nov 30, 2015
Undergoing the process of scientific publication is inevitable for researchers, but most find this a daunting task as it is long drawn and effort intensive. After submitting their paper to a journal, researchers not only have to follow the author guidelines, but also have to ensure that their paper meets the expectations of the journal editor
Nov 27, 2015
Editage Insights celebrated its second anniversary this November! We’ve grown by leaps and bounds and I’m excited to share our experience so far and give you a glimpse of what’s coming up.
Nov 27, 2015
In this article, Ashley Smith discusses the common areas of author confusion regarding figure guidelines and offers suggestions on how to simplify and clarify journal guidelines.
Nov 27, 2015
In this short snippet, Rachael Lammey, Product Manager at CrossRef talks about how CrossRef reaches out to authors and publishers across the globe.
Nov 27, 2015
Take this quiz to find out how much you know about conducting peer review of a scientific manuscript. If you get all questions right, you get the right to brag about it to your colleagues. Answers to all questions are in the series: Tips for first time peer reviewers.
Nov 26, 2015
Following the multiple cases of author misconduct in which Chinese researchers were involved, the Chinese government and a major funding agency in China are taking steps to put a stop to these incidents.
Nov 25, 2015
As the volume of publishing is increasing, journal editors are finding it increasingly difficult to appoint reviewers as many refuse review requests. What are the reasons behind this refusal apart from the primary premise that it is a voluntary act?
Nov 25, 2015
Peer reviewing a scientific manuscript can be a difficult task for first time reviewers. This article lists the main responsibilities of a peer reviewer, explains how a reviewer can evaluate a scientific manuscript, and provides suggestions on how the review report should be drafted.
Nov 24, 2015
This is the third part of our interview series with Rachael Lammey, Product Manager at CrossRef. After explaining how the DOI introduced persistent linking in academic publishing (in the previous segment), Rachael now talks about the other products offered by CrossRef: CrossCheck, CrossMark, and FundRef.
Nov 23, 2015
Unhappy with the way science is being governed in the country, Chilean researchers resorted to street protests and published an open letter that criticized the government’s lack of support to science.
Nov 20, 2015
Today, many people in scientific publishing are talking about how each published document should have a unique DOI, or Digital Object Identifier. What is the DOI? What does it do? In this interview segment, Rachael Lammey, Product Manager at CrossRef, tells us more about the DOI and how it works.
Nov 18, 2015
Journals expect authors to disclose any form of writing assistance by acknowledging the writer's contribution. However, authors are sometimes reluctant to disclose writing assistance. This case study explores how witholding information about writing assistance could mean non-compliance with good publication practice guidelines.
Nov 17, 2015
In this interview snippet, Rachael Lammey, Product Manager at CrossRef. briefly talks about the different products CrossRef offers to help introduce efficiencies in academic publishing with the help of article metadata.
Nov 16, 2015
Original research articles constitute a major portion of academic journal publishing. These slides will help you with four important steps of writing an original research article: choosing a research question, doing a literature search, structuring a manuscript, and formatting a research paper.
Nov 16, 2015
Peer review is considered by most scholars to be a reliable method of evaluating research qualitatively. But what are the perspectives of authors, peer reivewers, and journal editors on peer review? Taylor & Francis conducted one of the largest international research studies in 2015 on this and published the findings in the form of the report Peer Review in 2015 – A global view.
Nov 14, 2015
The richest award in science, the Breakthrough Prize, was presented on October 8 to researchers belonging to the fields of physics, life sciences, and mathematics. This year, a new category was added named “Breakthrough Junior Challenge” for students who created the best science or mathematics the
Nov 14, 2015
The controversial Human Brain Project (HBP) has secured funding from the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, for the next three years that amounts to an annual investment of €89 million.
Nov 9, 2015
As the focus of research is shifting to resolving challenges such as climate change, food and water crisis, research is transcending the boundaries of disciplines. But how is interdisciplinary research percieved by the scientific community? What are the challenges in pursuing interdisciplinary research? How can these challenges be overcome? Read on to find out answers to these questions.
Nov 4, 2015
As a preventive measure against plagiarism and instances of fake peer reviews, DNA and Cell Biology will impose a 3-year ban on any author who submits plagiarized manuscripts and will not accept any suggestions of preferred reviewers with non-institutional email addresses.
Nov 2, 2015
Jennifer Deyton writes about the changes and growth J&J Editorial has experienced over the past several years and describes the challenges and benefits of finding a balance between working and managing remotely and being able to collaborate in a shared brick-and-mortar office space.
Oct 31, 2015
You've put your research out into the world. Now it's time to sit back (or more likely, to start working on your next project!) and wait for signs of your newly published scholarship's impact to emerge. The problem is, traditional bibliometric indicators of research impact, such as the Impact Factor, can take anywhere from months to years
Oct 30, 2015
Even though you wrote and edited your manuscript, did you know that once you submit it to a journal for publication and the journal accepts your paper, the journal owns the copyright? One exception to this rule is when you publish a manuscript via Open Access. So what does this mean for you if you want to reuse your work?
Oct 30, 2015
October was an exciting month and we had so much to read about! We closely followed the 2015 International Open Access Week, the debate on the ethics of stem cell research, problems with clinical trial registration, discussions on irreproducibility of scientific research, a new solution to determine author contribution in mass authorship papers, an insightful report on the peer review process released by Taylor and Francis, and new discussions on the sexism charge against Nobel Laureate Tim Hunt.
Oct 30, 2015
A rise in academic misconduct over the past few years have made editors and reviewers extra vigilant. However, this can sometimes backfire, as revealed in this case study where an innocent author is accused of plagiarism. How does the author counter the false allegations?
Oct 28, 2015
Why it is important to fomat headings clearly and consistently? This post explains how appropriately formatting the headings increases the readability and clarity of the paper.
Oct 27, 2015
As researchers publish more papers, their credibility as authors builds up, and they start getting invitations from editors to review papers. However, authors receiving review invitations for the first time are often unsure of whether they should accept the invitation. This article addresses the common concerns that authors have before taking on review work.
Oct 27, 2015
Academic freedom has become a hot topic of discussion among Russian scientists as a recent amendment in law by the Russian government states that research manuscripts have to undergo a screening by the Federal Security Service (FSB) before they are submitted to journals and conferences.
Oct 26, 2015
The scientific community is steadily moving toward open science. Even publishers are joining this “open” trend. China, being the country with the second largest research output globally, forms an important part of this trend. How do Chinese researchers perceive open data? Are they open to share their research data? Look at what they say.
Oct 23, 2015
As an early-career researcher, it is extremely important for you to ensure that you start publishing papers and get recognized for your work. Open access publishing provides researchers with maximum visibility. But what is open access publishing? This infographic helps you with some quick notes that explain the basics about open access publishing.
Oct 22, 2015
This case study taken from The Evolution of Impact Indicators: From bibliometrics to altmetrics, a free ebook co-produced by Scholastica and Altmetric, explains how a researcher
Oct 21, 2015
This post provides details for authors who wish to submit to The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Oct 20, 2015
Here, Clarinda Cerejo, Editor-in-Chief of Editage Insights, is in conversation with Mikiko Tanifuji, Open Access Publisher, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, and Dr. Seo JeongWook, Professor of Pathology at Seoul National University, Korea.
Oct 20, 2015
Open Access Week is an annual global scholarly communication event organized by the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC). The main intent of this event, which started in 2008, is to create awareness in the academic and research community
Oct 19, 2015
Poor copyediting leads to the publication of a paper with errors and without final approval by the author. When the author informs the EIC, a correction is made, but the correction notice does not clarify that the errors had been made by the journal. The upset author wants the notice to be removed. but is that the right course of action? Read on to find out.
Oct 18, 2015
Editage conducted a workshop focused on improving the writing skills of researchers in Brazil. The material for this workshop is available here.
Oct 18, 2015
Provides concise information to potential contributors to the journal Neurosurgery.
Oct 16, 2015
For many young researchers Nobel Laureates are like celebrities who can only be emulated from a distance. Every year, the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings give about 500 researchers a chance to meet and interact with Laureates from their field. For the Nobel Laureates, the meetings are a medium to influence young scientific minds by sharing their knowledge and experience. And for the young researchers who are chosen for the meetings, this is the opportunity of a lifetime!
Oct 15, 2015
Research is now primarily a collaborative and often an interdisciplinary endeavor. However, this has given rise to the trend of mass authorship and fractional authorship. As a result, discussions about the meaning of authorship and whether the trend of hyperauthorship is making the credibility and accountability of author contribution questionable are rife in academic circles.
Oct 13, 2015
On October 12, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that it has awarded the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for 2015 to Angus
Oct 12, 2015
In this final infographic on facts about the Nobel Prize, we take you behind the scenes to reveal more about the nominations, prize money, and the Nobel Prize award ceremony.
Oct 9, 2015
Svetlana Alexievich, the Belarusian writer, has won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature for her “polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time.”
Oct 8, 2015
A typical data table in a research paper is a matrix of rows and columns. This post describes how the row and column headings should amplify the table title.
Oct 8, 2015
Editage has announced a strategic partnership with the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), a multi-university initiative that develops free open source software and conducts research to improve the quality and reach of scholarly publishing.
Oct 8, 2015
On October 7, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences declared the winners of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The prize was awarded to Tomas Lindahl, Paul
Oct 7, 2015
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on October 6 announced the winners of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics. The award was given to Takkaki Kajita from Japan
Oct 6, 2015
Science Research Writing is a practical and handy guide for non-native authors who want to write research papers in English.
Oct 6, 2015
The book The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker is a useful resource for authors looking to understand the different styles of writing.
Oct 6, 2015
The book Punctuation...? is a hands-on guide for researchers who wish to learn about using punctuation correctly in a short span of time.
Oct 6, 2015
On October 5, the Nobel Committee announced that the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded jointly to William C. Campbell, Satoshi Omura, and Youyou Tu
Oct 5, 2015
From being known mostly only to their colleagues, Nobel Laureates attain celebrity status overnight. They find themselves in a flurry of activity: giving lectures, meeting policy makers, and being drafted into important academic and governmental positions. How do scientists handle all the glory? Does it change their lives?
Oct 3, 2015
As the date of the Nobel Prize announcements is drawing closer, speculations are rife about who is likely to win the title of Nobel Laureate in physics, chemistry, medicine or physiology, and economics. Let's take a look at the potential winners.
Oct 3, 2015
The future of science and research in Iran has become a hot topic among global academics and policymakers in the wake of the landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and a group of five international powers.
Oct 1, 2015
GPP3 is published in September 2015. This Editage lecture was conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Wager. Dr. Wager. In this lecture, she explained the principles behind GPP, which apply to publishing all types of research, and outline developments that pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals working with them need to be aware of.
Oct 1, 2015
Now that we know basic facts about the Nobel Prize, it’s time to look behind the scenes and learn some lesser known facts about the Nobel Prize. Who is the oldest Nobel Laureate? Who is the youngest? And what language do the Laureates speak? Has anybody ever declined a Nobel Prize? Check out this infographic to know more!
Sep 30, 2015
In this post, we bring you a collection of some of the most interesting information about the goings-on in academia this month, handpicked by our editorial team. The topics range from the end of sanctions in Iran and a move towards gender equality in Australia to the launch of a one-of-a-kind journal, along with a host of new perspectives and proposals shared by academicians.
Sep 29, 2015
Editage, a leader in English-language editing and publication support services, announces a partnership with the Society of American Foresters (SAF), a scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United S
Sep 29, 2015
When a journal does not provide clear information about the APC on its website, but informs the author of the amount only after acceptance, the author finds the charges too high, and decides to submit it elsewhere wihout withdrawing the paper.
Sep 29, 2015
In the first part of the Nobel Prize Facts series, we told you more about how the Nobel Prize came into existence. Let us now look at some numbers – how many Nobel Prizes have been awarded since the first award in 1901, how many times have female scientists been recognized for their work, which fields have the most Laureates and what countries do the Laureates come from?
Sep 24, 2015
A survey has shown that there is a gap in understanding between authors and journal editors. These slides show how journal editors can provide authors with accurate and up-to-date information about all aspects of publication and how they can communicate clearly and effectively with authors.
Sep 23, 2015
This article, published in Postgraduate Medicine, explores what type of information regarding authorship and pharmaceutical industry support has been provided to physicians by professional associations, and whether the information was consistent with other interpretations of the Sunshine Act.
Sep 23, 2015
The 2015 Ig Nobel Prizes have been announced. These prizes are awarded each year to recognize improbable research. The stated intention of the prizes is to “honor achievements that make people LAUGH, and then THINK”.
Sep 21, 2015
Submitting compelling and novel content to a journal is only one element in having an article accepted for publication. The presentation and organization of your manuscript is essential in convincing editors and reviewers that your work has been thoroughly prepared and able to withstand scrutiny. To that end, The EQUATOR Network compiles research reporting guidelines to “improve the reliability and value of published health research literature.” The use of reporting guidelines not only improves the value of research, but also provides some distinct advantages in getting your manuscript published.
Sep 18, 2015
Do you know how many years ago the first Nobel Prize was awarded? Do you know the story behind how these prizes, considered the highest honor any scientist can receive, came into existence? This infographic presents the most basic must-know facts about the Nobel Prize in a memorable and sharable format. Share away!
Sep 17, 2015
Argues that working in multidisciplinary teams does more in bringing separate disciplines together than any academic intervention.
Sep 17, 2015
Has the Nobel bug bitten you yet? We are just 20 days away from the announcement of 2015 Nobel Prizes. Starting this week, through mid-October, we will bring you interesting and insightful content about the Nobel Prizes in diverse formats.
Sep 15, 2015
The Association of Learned & Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) announced the winners of their annual awards on September 10, 2015. Kudos has won the ALPSP Award for Innovation in Publishing, while the Award for Contribution to Scholarly Publishing was given to Michael Jubb.
Sep 14, 2015
With the rise in instances of misconduct in the academic publishing industry, everyone is aware that authors, journals, and editors have a joint responsibility to ensure ethical publication. This article summarizes the findings of an article published in the July issue of Learned Publishing: Yang, WU; Zou, Qiang, The ethical issues in instructions for authors of Chinese biomedical journals, Learned Publishing, Volume 28, Number 3.
Sep 11, 2015
The Lasker Awards are one of the most prestigious science awards and are also called the “American Nobels.” On September 8, the laureates of the 2015 Lasker Awards were announced. The Lasker Awards recognize “the contributions of scientists, clinicians, and public servants who have made major advances in the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of human disease.”
Sep 10, 2015
Most editors have to constantly communicate with editors, authors, and reviewers. The Publications Department at the American Geophysical Union came up with and implemented a solution—the AGU’s Editor Portal—as a way to increase communication among editors and to serve as a hub for journal-related information. Paige Wooden discusses how the portal was created and how it would benefit editors.
Sep 8, 2015
This post offers an overview of essential author information for submission to the journal Spine, a leading international journal in the field of spinal disorders.
Sep 8, 2015
Choosing a journal for your manuscript can be quite stressful, particularly if you are an early-career researcher. After all choosing the right journal will help increase your chances of acceptance. Until a few years ago, a journal’s impact factor was the only aspect authors focused on for manuscript submission. Today, however, the publication landscape is more dynamic and there are several important factors to consider. This infographic will guide you through the process of short listing an appropriate journal for your manuscript.
Sep 4, 2015
The identity of the founders of PubPeer, the popular and controversial post-publication peer review website, was until recently shrouded in mystery. However, the founders unmasked themselves, announcing the reorganization of PubPeer as The PubPeer Foundation
Sep 3, 2015
An author is surprised and confused when the instructions provided by the journal submission system are different from those provided in the author guidelines on the journal website. Which instruction should he follow? Read on to find out how his dilemma is resolved.
Sep 3, 2015
Perspectives, opinion pieces, and commentaries are some short scholarly article types that journals publish. This article explains what each of these articles includes, what the usual journal requirements for such articles are, and how they should be structured.
Sep 2, 2015
This post reviews the book A Scholar’s Guide to Getting Published in English: critical choices and practical strategies
Sep 2, 2015
The very words “Impact Factor” can send a shiver of fear through the spines of many journal editors as they contemplate the next number their journals will receive. Yet this measurement can be an aid to a journal if it is understood and treated with respect. Written by a group of ISMTE and EASE leaders, this article provides a history of the Impact Factor, explains how IF’s are awarded, and details ways in which your journal’s IF can be improved. This original article on the Impact Factor serves as an excellent resource for all Editorial Office staff.
Aug 31, 2015
Our team of editors loves to stay on the top of goings on in the academic publishing industry. We would like to share with you some of the most interesting bits of information our editorial team came across. So this is the first of our new monthly series that will give you a snapshot of what has been happening in the world of scholarly communications. Happy reading!
Aug 31, 2015
This is a report of the 2nd Asian Science Editors' Conference and Workshop, organized by the Council of Asian Science Editors (CASE), in Hanoi, Vietnam, August 20-22, 2015.
Aug 30, 2015
Discusses the three non-SI units mentioned in the title (psi, mesh number, and quintals) and supplies appropriate conversion factors.
Aug 28, 2015
The winners of the 2015 Eureka Prizes were announced on August 26. The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are annual awards that reward “excellence in the fields of research & innovation, leadership, science communication & journalism and school science.” Established in 1990 by the Australian Museum in partnership with government organizations, ins
Aug 28, 2015
Although most researchers agree that data sharing is the scientific ideal, there exists a general skepticism regarding making their data publicly accessible. Since withholding data can impede the progress of science in more than once ways, should it be considered as a form of scientific misconduct? Is there a need for a change in the definition of research misconduct to include data secrecy?
Aug 27, 2015
Writing a grant proposal requires a lot of time and effort. But all this effort can go waste if the proposal does not conform to the requirements set by the funding agency. Non-conformance to the proposal preparation and formatting guidelines can lead to a rejection without review. This case study tracks the case of one such grant proposal which was rejected because of non-conformance to formatting requirements.
Aug 25, 2015
Cyagen Biosciences Inc., a California-based contract a California-based contract research organization and cell culture product manufacturer is seemingly offering vouchers to Cyagen products for citing them in published papers. Their open offer to medical researchers irks academia.
Aug 21, 2015
Donald Samulack, PhD (President, U.S. Operations, Cactus Communications and Editage) presented and launched an industry-wide call-to-action titled “Predatory Author Services: What Can be Done About it?” during a panel session held on 20th August 2015 at the 8th Annual North American Conference of the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors (ISMTE) in Baltimore, MD (USA).
Aug 21, 2015
As a researcher, you are expected to start publishing early in your career. But original research could take years to complete! This does not mean that you cannot publish a paper until you complete your research. You can disseminate your research in many other ways. These slides will help you learn more about the different types of scholarly literature so that you are able to choose the most suitable format for publishing your study.
Aug 20, 2015
Is reproducibility of research a mirage? Moments of ‘Eureka’ are frequently becoming isolated instances for lone researchers rather than for the entire science community. The inability of reproducing a vast number of scientific findings is proving to be the soft underbelly of science - a problem that needs to be addressed with priority.
Aug 20, 2015
On August 18, Springer announced that it has retracted 64 articles from 10 of its subscription-based journals after discovering that the reviews of these papers were linked to fake email addresses and fabricated peer review reports.
Aug 18, 2015
In the first part of this video John McDonald, experienced trainer at Editage, listed three common number-related errors authors commonly make when writing their research manuscripts. In this second segment, he reveals three additional mistakes.
Aug 18, 2015
John McDonald, experienced trainer at Editage, lists the most common manuscript writing mistakes and tells you how you can fix them.
Aug 18, 2015
Getting published isn’t magic; it’s a process. You don’t need to be Houdini! Just follow a few simple rules, submit to the appropriate journal for your study, and take heed of comments from the editor and peer reviewers. To help you on your way, here are a few tips and reminders on the process in general and on responding to peer review comments in particular.
Aug 17, 2015
Two Californian universities, the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Southern California, are in a legal dispute over rights to the federally funded research on Alzheimer’s disease. This post briefly captures the highlights of this highly publicized case.
Aug 6, 2015
Science is ever evolving, and replication studies and negative findings play a major role in helping science grow. But journals are not always open to publishing these. What role do replication studies play in scientific discovery? And how can publishing negative results enable scientific advancement? This presentation explores these two questions, speculates why journals may hesitate to publish both, and recommends some steps to help replication studies and negative results find their way into publication.
Aug 3, 2015
With collaboration and mobility becoming the norm in research, there are cases where a manuscript might have more than one corresponding author. Do journals allow this? Though a seemimgly small issue, not all journals accept articles with two corresponding authors, and this might even lead to a rejection.
Aug 1, 2015
According to Dr. Mark Hahnel, who founded Figshare, the open data movement will be successful across the globe if data sharing is incentivized. Watch the video to know more,
Jul 31, 2015
In this fourth part of an interesting interview series, Dr. Mark Hahnel, founder of Figshare, shares a larger perspective on data sharing as a trend in academic publishing.
Jul 29, 2015
Predatory scholarly conferences pose a new threat to scholarly communications as researchers find themselves inundated with spam emails soliciting their attendance at these meetings. All researchers should become aware of the dangers of submitting their work to and attending questionable, low-quality, and even predatory scholarly conferences.
Jul 29, 2015
Dr. Mark Hahnel, founder of Figshare, as he talks about how Figshare is used by close to 2 million researchers across disciplines for managing different types of data including grant proposals.
Jul 27, 2015
Professor Peter Higgs is the latest recepient of the Copley Medal, the world’s oldest scientific prize, for his pioneering work on the theory of Higgs boson. This prestigious was first presented by the Royal Society in 1731, 170 years before the first Nobel Prize was awarded. It is bestowed annually “for outstanding achievements in
Jul 26, 2015
When Dr. Mark Hahnel set up Figshare, he was only looking to store his data and get extra credit for his research. Today, academics the world over use the platform to store and share their data, or to get recognition for their path breaking work.
Jul 24, 2015
Clinical trials are an important research tool for advancing medical knowledge and healthcare. This article aims to guide you through all the different aspects of a clinical trial: from the types and phases of a clinical trial to designing a protocol, registration of trials, the ethical issues involved, and finally the elements of a clinical trial manuscript. Since clinical trials involve research conducted on humans, it follows a rigorous procedure to ensure the safety and protect the rights of patients.
Jul 24, 2015
Peer review and quantitative metrics are the two most prominent methods of evaluating the quality and impact of research. However, the recent surge in the importance attached to metrics has led to the question whether metrics can replace peer review in indicating the quality and impact of research. The Metric Tide report attempts to answer this question with the help of experts in scientometrics and major stakeholders of research and higher education.
Jul 23, 2015
In the wake of an impending economic crisis, the Brazilian government is walking down the path of austerity with respect to federal budget and expenditure. This decision has had a direct impact on the research sector, which now faces steep cuts of up to 75% in research funding. This could lead critical research programs to shut down or even cause researchers to lose their jobs.
Jul 23, 2015
Metrics are important in research evaluation, but excessive focus on unreliable and rigid quantitative measures has diluted the nature and significance of research assessment. In The Metric Tide, a report of the Independent Review of the Role of Metrics in Research Assessment and Management, Wilsdon et al. undertake a detailed study of the current status of evaluation metrics in the UK. They come up with the concept of responsible metrics to introduce greater representation, flexibility, and responsibility in research evaluation, and their recommendations for improving assessment and data management could be applicable not only to research in the UK, but to research evaluation across the globe.
Jul 23, 2015
While pursuing his PhD in stem cell research, Dr. Mark Hahnel set up Figshare to manage the data he did not intend to publish but wanted to disseminate, to get extra credit for his work, and to please his own ego.
Jul 21, 2015
Transparency in reporting of research is essential for providing enough information about how the work was performed to allow others to replicate it. This post takes a view at some new initiatives and guidelines that are being developed to move scientific reporting toward greater openness.
Jul 20, 2015
This post offers some basic guidelines on choosing between upper case and lower case letters in scientific writing.
Jul 20, 2015
One of ISMTE's missions is to enhance the professional roles of those who manage peer review and Editorial Offices for academic and scholarly journals. In this article, Rosemary Shipton explores the definition of the varied roles and the responsibilities we take on, and asks the question—Should editors be able to write too?
Jul 13, 2015
The Dynasty Foundation, which provides $10 million of research funding to Russian scientists annually has decided to shut down after the Russian government labeled it as a “foreign agent” because the founder, Dmitry Zimin, routed the money from his offshore accounts in the West. This development may have a huge negative impact on the future of scientific research in Russia as well as on the morale of the Russian scientific community.
Jul 10, 2015
The economic crisis in Greece has led to many speculations about the future of the country's science and research landscape. This post takes a look at the effect of the economic downfall on Greece's R&D, healthcare, and brain drain rate.
Jul 9, 2015
Rejection is the norm in scientific publishing. But by taking care of a few aspects at the manuscript writing and submission stage, authors can ensure that their manuscripts do not contain any of the glaring errors that would lead ot outright rejection. This infographic lists the top reasons for manuscript rejection and how you can avoid them.
Jul 8, 2015
The issue of predatory ‘patent trolls’ has been plaguing scientific innovation since decades. But what are patent trolls and how do they operate? Are universities trolls too? Explaining all about patent trolls, this article divulges the legal and economic repercussions of the global phenomenon of patent trolling, and explores the possibility of tackling this complex issue. Know all there is to know about patent trolls and how they affect scientific innovation.
Jul 7, 2015
Most authors find it difficult to handle peer reviewer comments. On the other hand, they find it equally difficult to step into the shoes of reviewers themselves. This post explores both the roles a researcher has to play - that of an author who has to deal with a review and of a reviewer who has to give comments. Read on for useful guidance in this post.
Jul 6, 2015
What happens when a journal credits someone else for an article instead of the actual author? Such production errors can occur at the time of publication. But what is disconcerting is that it can sometimes go against the author who has been erroneously credited for the work, and his or her reputation can be at stake. Read on to find out how such a situation can be salvaged.
Jul 3, 2015
Tables and figures are commonly used in research papers to supplement text. In this post, you'll find useful tips regarding how to phrase the titles, how to style or format them for print, and how to end them. These tips will help you in titling your tables and figures in the most appropriate way.
Jul 3, 2015
What do you wish for a better future of science and academia? Our series of posts on Global Science explored the current trends in global scientific publishing and to enable the sharing of ideas among those passionate about science and research, we are launching the campaign #MyWishForGlobalScience. Given a chance, what would you want changed about today's science? A change begins with an idea; a simple thought. Join us to share your thoughts and ideas at #MyWishForGlobalScience.
Jun 30, 2015
The Kyoto Prize is Japan’s highest and most esteemed award presented annually in three categories: Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy. Read on to know the laureates of this year.
Jun 29, 2015
Science is becoming open and how! Gone are the days when researchers and institutions believed in keeping scientific data behind strict and complex institutional paywalls, at the risk of losing invaluable scientific inputs. Today many funding bodies are realizing the benefits of open data and are implementing their own open data mandates to capitalize on the long-term benefits of data sharing through their own or external repositories. This post explores the fascinating area of open data mandates. It briefly describes what open data means, shares examples of how more and more people in the publishing community are talking about it, and alludes to Mark Hahnel's six-stage data sharing journey that is being witnessed globally. It then proceeds to look at a few notable data sharing mandates imposed by major research prodicing countries across the globe.
Jun 29, 2015
The scientific landscape of Korea is undergoing a change. With change at various levels, including a consistent growth of R&D budget, openness toward the acceptance of open access policy, rapid adoption of English languagea gradual internationalization of Korean STM journals, and more, the Korean STM journals are rapidly getting internationalized. Read on to gain an in-depth insight into the Korean scientific progress.
Jun 27, 2015
The landscape of scientific research is fast changing, with the emergence of new global players and upcoming trends that transcend geographical boundaries and reinforce the importance of collaboration and cooperation among nations. This article takes a look at some recent trends in international collaboration, such as hyperauthorship, establishment of research networks, and researcher mobility.
Jun 24, 2015
Japan's investment in R&D is high. Despite this, Japanese research output is diminishing. Why is this happening? A hierarchical educational system, and lack opportunities and platforms for external collaboration are among the reasons for this decline. International collaboration will play a crucial role in helping Japan increase the quality ad quantity of its research output.
Jun 24, 2015
Despite substantial investments in R&D, Japanese research output is not yielding the returns expected. In addition to having to dealing with a hierarchical educational system, Japanese researchers also lack opportunities and platforms for external collaboration. In the long run, international collaboration may hold the key to Japan's success in research.
Jun 23, 2015
Editage conducted a webinar in association with Stacy Konkiel from the Altmetric team, which was titled Finding and sharing your research impact: Use Altmetric Effectively. Read on to know about some important concepts discussed in the webinar that will help you recognize the impact of your research and ways of sharing it with the world.
Jun 20, 2015
Understanding the citation patterns and the trends in the use of citation metrics is vital to gaining insights into the dynamic landscape of scholarly publishing. Read on to know whether impact factor will continue to dominate scientific publication, what the latest global trends in citations are, and how citation patterns vary across disciplines and countries. As scientific literature continues to expand and become more accessible, the scientific community is placing increasing importance on studying these trends to measure the impact of published research.
Jun 19, 2015
Research and development (R&D) is crucial to scientific progress. Moreover, the investment of nations on R&D is highly discussed in international circles as it provides a broad picture of a country’s economic strength and future growth. Know about the latest developments in R&D expenditure globally and their impact on science in the coming years.
Jun 17, 2015
Check out this infographic to know more STM publishing: how many research articles are published each year, by how many researchers, in how many peer-reviewed journals, how much revenue the STM publishing industry generates, and what trends have changed the direction of global STM publishing
Jun 15, 2015
Editage and Chinese Laser Press (CLP), the most influential optics journal publishing organization, have announced the start of a partnership that will provide discounted English-language editing services to authors submitting to the CLP portfolio of journals.
Jun 9, 2015
A clinical case report or case study is a means of disseminating new knowledge gained from clinical practice. Clinical case reports are the first-line evidence in medical literature as they present original observations. This article provides detailed guidance on how to identify, write, and publish a case report.
Jun 8, 2015
The winners of the 2015 Shaw Prize were announced in three categories: Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences. Let us take a look at who won this prestigious award.
Jun 5, 2015
This post clarifies the function of ISSN, the International Standard Serial Number, and affirms that because a journal has an ISSN assigned to it, it does not imply that the journal meets some minimum ‘standards’ of quality in terms of its contents.
Jun 5, 2015
Elsevier's updated journal article sharing and hosting policy that provides specific guidelines about how papers can be shared at each stage of the publication process is being criticized by open access advocates and librarians as it inhibits immediate access and free sharing of articles.
Jun 2, 2015
The policies concerning the need for ethical approval by an institutional review board or ethics committee can be different in different countries. This can unfairly work against authors wanting to publish in international journals. What can an author do if their national guidelines do not require an ethics approval, but the journal considers it mandatory? Read on to find out.
Jun 2, 2015
Donald Samulack, President, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, in conversation with Dr. John Hammersley, Co-founder and CEO of Overleaf at the Digital Science office in London. This is the concluding segment of the series.
Jun 1, 2015
Donald Samulack, President, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, is in conversation with Dr. John Hammersley, Co-founder and CEO of Overleaf at the Digital Science office in London. This is the third segment of the four-part interview series.
May 25, 2015
A successful open access publishing company Frontiers has stirred a controversy over editorial independence. 31 editors of two of its journals have accused the company of denying them editorial independence and running the company for financial gains. In turn, the company has sacked all of these editors
May 23, 2015
By getting your journal indexed in a well-known database, you can increase its visibility, accessibility, and readership. This post provides an overview of indexing and shares some common journal databases to consider.
May 20, 2015
Editage, a leader in English-language editing and publication support services, is pleased to announce the release of a new Author Services website in partnership with Wolters Kluwer.
May 20, 2015
In the first part of this interview series, Dr. Hammersley shares the basic features of Overleaf, a cloud-based collaborative writing and publishing platform that support multiple formats and integrates the journal publication workflow.
May 18, 2015
Editage and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have announced the start of a partnership that will provide discounted English-language editing services to authors submitting to the IET portfolio of journals.
May 12, 2015
Editage has invited Altmetric to conduct a webinar that will help researchers discover evidence that their research is having an impact across the world.
May 12, 2015
This post reviews the book Writing for Science Journals: Tips, Tricks, and a Learning plan, an immensely useful resource for authors
May 12, 2015
In this first segment of the interview series, Dr. John Hammersley, Co-Founder and CEO of Overleaf, takes us through the basic features of Overleaf, a collaborative cloud-based writing and publishing tool that provides support to authors and publishers working with various formats including LaTeX.
May 11, 2015
Take this quiz to find out how much you know about academic writing and publication. If you get all questions right, you get the right to brag about it to your colleagues. Answers to all questions are in the series: A guide for early career researchers.
May 11, 2015
In order to make sure that your manuscript is not rejected outright, you need to create a great submission package that includes everything journal editors and reviewers need to see. We’ve prepared a manuscript submission checklist to help you ensure that you’ve taken care of the most important things to increase your chances of acceptance. Download this checklist and pin it up to on your softboard or carry a copy for quick reference.
May 11, 2015
Europe's biomedical research is threatened by the European Citizen’s Initiative’s (ECI) Stop Vivisection proposal. However, several science organizations and 16 Nobel laureates are defending the European Directive that allows animal research with strict guidelines.
May 11, 2015
Before submitting your manuscript to a journal, you have to take care of many things – from checking the IMRaD structure to following all of the submission requirements. To ensure that your manuscript stands out among all other submissions, you must get every detail right. This manuscript submission checklist will help you ensure that you have checked everything that would increase your chances of acceptance, before you submit your paper.
May 8, 2015
The journal PLOS ONE sacked a peer reviewer for making sexist remarks on a manuscript. The editor of the journal has also been blamed for the oversight. The peer reviewer made discriminatory remarks about a study on gender differences in the progression of PhD graduates to postdoc positions in the life sciences. One of the two female authors of the study posted excerpts of the reviewer's comments on Twitter, which elicited a series of shocked reactions. The incident hints at potential gender bias in the peer review process and highlights the need to make the process more transparent.
May 5, 2015
The footage of zebrafish's 'inner ear' development by Dr. Mariana Muzzopappa of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona; and Jim Swoger of the Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona wins science video prize.
Apr 29, 2015
This post discusses the minutiae of expressing rates (kilometres per hour, grams per litre, etc.) using negative exponents and the slash.
Apr 29, 2015
Systematic reviews are regarded as the best source of research evidence. A systematic review is a rigorous review of existing literature that addresses a clearly formulated question. This article aims to guide you on the different kinds of systematic review, the standard procedures to be followed, and the best approach to conducting and writing a systematic review.
Apr 29, 2015
Recognizing the moral and ethical responsibilities of researchers and the need to promote clinical trial transparency, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued Statement on Public Disclosure of Clinical Trial Results.
Apr 21, 2015
Every researcher conducts a literature search to ensure that the topic he or she has chosen to work on has not been published earlier. But what happens if, after submitting your manuscript, you discover that such a study does exist, and you have missed it during your literaure review? This case study finds out what can be done if you suddenly realize that your research is rendered completely redundant by the existence of a published study that you had never come across.
Apr 17, 2015
Quick facts and submission tips about the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Apr 15, 2015
Journal editors face various challenges while appointing reviewers. This post discusses these challenges and how editors deal with them.
Apr 8, 2015
A quick overview of the submission requirements and author instructions of the journal Epidemiologic Reviews.
Apr 8, 2015
In this post, Dr. Goldman discusses how a journal editor identifies potential peer reviewers for a submitted paper and the reasons for delay at this stage of editorial decision making.
Apr 7, 2015
Authors find the peer review process daunting mainly because of the delays in editorial decision making. Why do editors take long to inform authors about the fate of their paper? The Chief Editor of Polar Research, Dr. Helle Goldman, provides an editorial viewpoint in this article that explains the journal-end of the peer review process. This post is the first segment of the series titled "Delays in peer review."
Apr 6, 2015
How much of an impact does research have outside of science? Is scientific impact quantifiable? The Research Excellence Framework (REF) measures the impact of research conducted by British higher education institutions, and helps funding bodies make decisions about allocating funds to universities for a period of six years. In the latest university research audit exercise, the 2014 REF report has attempted to understand the big picture of how science is progressing and the impact scientific advancement has on society.
Apr 6, 2015
Watch this video to know more about the importance of social media in research.
Apr 3, 2015
Many journals publish literature reviews as standalone articles. Literature reviews, along with systematic reviews and meta-analyses come under the broad category of review articles. This article deals with literature review as an article type, exlaining the different approaches to a literature review and providing basic guidelines on its structure and organization.
Apr 2, 2015
Should germline modification – a gene-editing technique – be allowed on human embryos? This ethically laced question has generated much hype and discussion among geneticists.
Mar 31, 2015
Conflicting reviewer comments can be confusing, especially when there is no clear guidance from the editor about which comments to address. This article reports a case where the author received diametrically opposed comments from two reviewers, and how the Editage team helped her tackle them.
Mar 30, 2015
This post offers a few tips on how to make Google searches more effective.
Mar 30, 2015
The 2015 Abel Prize was awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters to two prominent mathematicians: John Nash and Louis Nirenberg. The Abel Prize, considered by some to be ‘the Nobel of mathematics,’ is awarded for outstanding scientific work in the field of mathematics since 2002.
Mar 27, 2015
Language is an area researchers often struggle with when writing a research paper. This video shares four must-do’s of research writing.
TrendingMar 20, 2015
Are journal instructions always well-written, clear, and easy to understand? When we asked authors and journal editors what they thought about journal instructions, their responses indicated a clear gap between their opinions. This indicates the need for increased intervention and communication between authors and editors to ensure a smoother publication process.
Mar 18, 2015
P-values are widely used as the basis of testing null hypothesis, but many experts have been critical of the use of p-values. Now, the journal Basic and Applied Social Psychology (BASP) announced a ban on use of the null hypothesis significance testing procedure (NHSTP) and related statistical procedures from their journal. This decision is being debated in academic circles.
Mar 16, 2015
In the month of International Women’s Day 2015, Editage Insights brings you Women in Academia---an enlightening and informative series centered on women in research, publishing, and scientific communication. Read the articles and interview, watch the video, participate in the poll, and then share your comments on the issue here.
Mar 16, 2015
This video is a tribute to 18 women who changed the scientific research landscape with their discoveries and breakthroughs. The persistence and dogged determination of these female Nobel Laureates helped them to overcome all odds and focus on what they were most passionate about.
Mar 13, 2015
This article provides some tips on how to introduce yourself during your postdoc search, what information should be included, and how to organize your approach to different labs.
Mar 12, 2015
To what extent does the gender of a researcher affect his or her work and growth prospects? Apparently, gender stereotypes and generalized perceptions about men and women influence the opportunities available to them and how their contribution to scientific development may be perceived. Several studies have actually investigated the existence and impact of gender bias in various fields of research. This post reviews three such studies to offer a glimpse into how gender stereotypes are at play in research.
Mar 12, 2015
While there is a fair share of women at the entry level in academia, they are highly underrepresented in senior faculty positions. Most women scientists perceive a tenure track position as not being compatible with having children. What makes it difficult for mothers to continue a career in academia? Read on to find out.
Mar 11, 2015
Several authors are now opting for the fast-publication track. Journals also benefit from the rapid publication model. This post lists and shares additional information about a few journals and publishers that offer rapid publication options.
Mar 11, 2015
Women are making their presence felt in a traditionally male-dominated academic world. However, they are still underrepresented in fields such as political science, physics, and philosophy. A study suggests that this skew in gender ratio is a result of the emphasis of some fields on “genius” as against hard work, and the stereotype that women are less likely to be as intelligent as men to pursue an academic career.
Mar 9, 2015
Open science is zealously propagated by academicians in a bid to make scientific data and research widely accessible to the public. Apart from the need for researchers to share their data and make their research open access, wouldn’t it be in line with the open science movement to make peer review open?
Mar 3, 2015
Editage, a global scientific communication services provider, and Canadian Science Publishing (CSP), a not-for-profit publisher, announced the start of a co-branded editorial services portal dedicated to serving research communities.
Mar 2, 2015
This article explains what an original article is and how you should go about writing one. It provides detailed guidance on every aspect of writing an original article - from selecting a research question to doing a literature search, organizing the manuscript in a well-defined structure, and formatting it according to journal guidelines.
Mar 1, 2015
Scientific reporting is inclined towards publishing positive findings, and research that reports negative results is usually frowned upon. However, recognizing the importance of negative results and the impact it can have on expediting scientific advancement, PLOS ONE - the world’s largest j
Feb 27, 2015
The acknowledgements section is a way of publicly thanking people for their contribution to a study. However, we often find authors acknowledging people for personal reasons, such as to appease someone, or as a matter of returning an obligation. This case study tracks down a case of acknowledging for wrong reasons and finds out the consequences.
Feb 27, 2015
Once you have planned your roadmap for postdoc abroad, you need to find a suitable laboratory to achieve your goals. This post provides useful tips on how to look out for a postdoctoral position.
Feb 27, 2015
A scientific manuscript should be clear, objective, and bias-free. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that authors are aware of the nuances of words related to gender, race, ethnicity, etc. In this tutorial, we discuss words that tend to introduce a bias when used incorrectly. You may also be interested in the first part of this series on commonly confused words in scientific writing.
Feb 26, 2015
The value of research lies in how it benefits society. However, for scientific research to make a difference to society, the public need access to research and should be involved with science. This video showcases why public engagement with science is the need of the hour.
Feb 26, 2015
Early career researchers struggle to receive grants because granting committees are known to favor esteemed and more established researchers. Does scientific innovation and advancement take a back seat due to this? Is there a need for granting committees to shift their focus from the researcher to the research? Can awarding grants to young researchers early in their career bring a significant change in academic research? This post discusses these questions and attempts at finding answers to them.
Feb 26, 2015
It is important to have a clear idea about the different types of articles that you can publish in journals. This will help you understand the ways in which you can disseminate your work and identify what kind of article would be suitable for your study.
Feb 20, 2015
This is a series of short articles dedicated to several aspects of how a foreign researcher can plan a successful postdoctoral experience in the United States.
Feb 19, 2015
Learn about the minor stylistic differences in labeling the parts of a multi-part figure as specified in four major style guides.
Feb 19, 2015
Nature Publishing Group announced in an editorial that it will soon offer authors an option to opt for double-blind peer review at the time of submission.
Feb 19, 2015
The benefits of sharing data are immense. Although most researchers agree that data sharing is the scientific ideal, there exists a widespread skepticism regarding making their data publicly accessible. A study titled “Sowing the seed: Incentives and motivations for sharing research data” provides an international perspective on issues related to research data management and sharing. This report attempts to uncover the reasons behind the decision of researchers to share their data.
Feb 17, 2015
This video explains the purpose of an Abstract and provides some useful tips to help you write the most effective Abstract for your paper.
Feb 17, 2015
The conventional pre-publication peer review process is time-consuming and may not be favorable to all scientific disciplines. Some journals and publishers offer rapid publication to help authors publish their manuscripts faster. This post discusses the unconventional approach of rapid publication in detail.
Feb 13, 2015
The University of California Press announced the launch of a new online, open-access journal Collabra, which will pay peer reviewers and editors for their contribution. Uniquely, the journal is based on “pay it forward” concept.
Feb 11, 2015
Researchers use Google for a variety of purposes. This post presents some quick and effective tips that will help researchers to make their web searches more productive.
Feb 9, 2015
Journal editors and authors are the key players in academic publishing. Do authors face mistreatment at the hands of editors? Or do editors face more challenges while interacting with authors? A survey finds out answers to these questions. Read on to know the hightlights of this study.
Feb 7, 2015
Big data has brought an unprecedented change in the way research is conducted in every scientific discipline. Although the availability of big data sets and the capacity to store and share large volumes of data has opened several avenues of scientific exploration for researchers, analyzing and managing big data poses numerous challenges for researchers. Is having large volumes data an advantage or a complex challenge? How can researchers make the most of big data in their work? Read the article to find answers to these questions.
Feb 6, 2015
Elsevier, the largest science journal publisher, has announced that it is preparing to launch an open-access journal this year in collaboration with the research community and will
Feb 5, 2015
In the field of health studies, qualitative research is often believed to lack scientific rigor and therefore less useful than empirical studies. To counter this prejudice, qualitative health researchers should ensure that their reporting is on par with quantitative studies. This post lists five aspects that qualitative researchers should focus on to prepare effective, transparent manuscripts.
Feb 5, 2015
Find tips on presenting genes and products of genes in this article. Gene nomenclature is fairly complex, and this article attempts to draw attention to its intricacies and provide some tips for authors.
Feb 4, 2015
This 2-minute video gives a quick overview of how a research paper is structured. It briefly explains the different parts of a research paper, what each part should include, and how the parts should be organized. This video is a short snippet from a webinar on “Quality construction: Concepts of organization that improve your writing” conducted by John McDonald, an editor and academic writing trainer at Editage.
Feb 4, 2015
Authors are sometimes so keen on publishing in high impact factor journals that they indulge in unacceptable practices, such as unethical withdrawal or concurrent submission. This case study follows one such case and finds out what consequences such actions can have for the author.
Jan 30, 2015
Media outlets and journalists are often blamed for communicating exaggerated or distorted reports of scientific research to the public. However, a recent study has revealed that the scientific community – authors, universities, and institutions - are also partly responsible for scientific misinformation.
Jan 29, 2015
Publishers, governments, and learned societies the world over are faced with the intractable issue of academic corruption. A recently published article highlights some worrisome trends academic publication that need to be addressed in order to create a culture where credible and good-quality research is published ethically. In this post, you will find answers to: Why are authors tempted to indulge in misconduct? What should journals do to spot irregularities in papers? Is China taking steps to put a stop to academic corruption?
Jan 29, 2015
Scientific writing is all about clarity and precision. Using the right vocabulary is critical to writing an effective scientific manuscript. This SlideShare provides a quick overview of some words that are commonly misused in scientific writing. The meaning of these words is explained along with relevant examples to help authors understand the nuances better.
Jan 28, 2015
Much of the public understanding of scientific knowledge is dependent on mainstream media coverage of science. However, the media's representation of scientific research is not always accurate. Why is science news often distorted and how does this affect public understanding? What are the dangers of such misrepresentation? Read on to find out.
Jan 27, 2015
Once you submit your manuscript, you are likely to be in a state of perpetual anxiety, wondering if your manuscript has already been reviewed, why it is taking so long, or if you should write to the editor for a status update. This animated video takes you through the steps involved in the publication process so that you have a clear idea of how the process works.
Jan 27, 2015
Two of UK's largest publishers have adopted patient peer review as part of their publication process for clinical/medical research. The process enables patients of clinical trials to participate in the editorial decision making process of journals by playing the role of a peer reviewer. What are the potential benefits of this approach? Read to know more.
Jan 27, 2015
London, January 27, 2015 – Editage, a leading provider of editorial and publication support services for the global research community and the flagship brand of Cactus Communications, and Overleaf, a rapidly growing online collaborative writing and publishing platform by WriteLaTeX, have entered into an a
Jan 27, 2015
Editage is hosting a series of webinars in the upcoming months to introduce authors to the different aspects of writing and publication. Sign up soon!
Jan 23, 2015
Editage announced its commitment to providing a seamless manuscript submission experience for authors by becoming the first to adopt Aries’ manuscript “ingest” functionality for Editorial Manager (EM), the world’s leading online manuscript submission and peer review system.
Jan 22, 2015
Quick facts about the journal Nature Materials.
Jan 22, 2015
Quick facts about the journal Social Forces
Jan 21, 2015
Macmillan Science and Education, the London-based publisher of Nature and Scientific American, will merge with one of the world’s largest science publishers, Berlin-based Springer Science+Business Media. The consolidation was announced o
Jan 16, 2015
The lack of recognition of peer reviewing as an important scholarly endeavor has led a group of more than 40 Australian journal editors to submit an open letter entitled Journal Reviewing and Editing: Institutional Support is Essential to their universities, funders, and other research institutions and organizations in Australia.
Jan 14, 2015
What does the term "big data" mean? Why is it being considered as an additional paradigm to science? In the recent years, the availability of large volumes of data has changed the nature of science significantly. Is science benefitting from this data flood and in what ways? Read the article to get familiar with the term "big data" and its applications in science.
Jan 14, 2015
Non-native speakers of English often find it very difficult to paraphrase or summarize English text using their own words. This is one reason why many non-English speaking authors are unable to clear plagiarism check at the journal end. This video teaches you a few techniques that will help you paraphrase English text effectively.
Jan 13, 2015
Registration for clinical trials is a must for a study to be even considered for publication. Some journals follow the ICMJE guidelines for clinical trial registration. It can be a problem for authors if they are not aware of these requirements. This case study explains why it is essential to be aware of the policies regarding clinical trials registration.
Jan 13, 2015
China’s contribution to global research has increased steadily and significantly. One of the main reasons for this increased visibility is China’s Science Citation Index (SCI) focused scientific evaluation system which leads Chinese researchers to submit their manuscripts to SCI-indexed journals only. Over the years, this system increased China's scientific output, but the blind pursuit of an increased number of publications also affected the quality of research and China’s scientific output came to be questioned globally.
Jan 9, 2015
As an academic copyeditor who helps authors prepare journal-ready manuscripts on a daily basis, I work on a number of manuscripts that need to be formatted as per guidelines stipulated by a journal. These guidelines range from basic instructions on paper size and language style to exhaustive guidelines on formatting manuscript sections, presenting data, or citing sources.
Jan 9, 2015
What can happen to a scientific research manuscript after it has been queued up for peer review? What are the peer review decisions authors need to be prepared for? This infographic outlines the basic decision scenarios of the journal peer review process.
Jan 8, 2015
Quick facts about The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Jan 7, 2015
Academic research has become an increasingly competitive field, and a wide range of aspects such as funding structures, publishing prototypes, career prospects, and research management systems impact researchers. The culture of scientific research particularly affects postdoctoral scientists
Jan 6, 2015
This post provides some important tips researchers should bear in mind while writing engineering papers.
Jan 5, 2015
2014 has been an exciting year for scholarly publishing. Amidst these times of change, we interviewed experts in the publishing industry from across the world. All of these interviews were published in the year 2014. Read the full interview for a complete understanding of the context of a quotation.
Dec 31, 2014
Responding to peer reviewer comments requesting for major revisions is indeed a daunting task for most authors! Although this requires a lot of effort, it contributes to improving your paper, making it worthwhile. This video provides some useful tips that will help you respond to peer reviewer comments effectively.
Dec 31, 2014
2014 has been very busy for the Editage Insights team as he was flooded with questions. These questions have helped us identify some of the major areas of concern for researchers in 2014. Here we bring you the top 10 questions of 2014.
Dec 31, 2014
Data sharing and management are indeed extremely important in today's world. The scholarly community is trying to raise awareness and motivate researchers to share their data. But what do researchers think of data sharing? A survey conducted earlier this year examines the attitudes of researchers towards data sharing and some of the existing data sharing practices.
Dec 30, 2014
Nature Publishing Group (NPG) has announced the launch of a new content sharing initiative that claims to provide free read-only access to articles that were previously available only by subscription. The scholarly community is however, not convinced about the true purpose behind the initiative: many feel that it could be a move to restrict sharing. Read on to find out more.
Dec 26, 2014
Stem-cell biologist Dr. Haruko Obokata who claimed to have discovered a simple and inexpensive way of producing stem cells, the STAP (Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency) method, resigned from her position at Riken research institute after she failed to reproduce the results
Dec 24, 2014
The article offers some suggestions on aspects of experimental research that are important, especially from the perspective of making the study reproducible. The publication of the American Psychological Association’s Reporting Standards for Research in Psychology has advanced the reporting in experimental psychology.
Dec 23, 2014
The most important career question a researcher faces is that of choosing between exploring non-research-based positions and continuing with research. A non-academic career may not be entirely related to a researcher's area of study. On the other hand, further research involves its own struggles, from finding a stable postdoctoral or teaching position to securing funding. Thus, choosing the right career path could be a point of stress. This post shares some useful advice based on the experiences of a panel of expers who have gone through the process themselves.
Dec 22, 2014
November 14, 2014, 00:30 AM - November 16, 2014, 08:30 AM UTC 
The pressure to publish has led some authors to exploit the peer review system and indulge in peer review rigging. These scandals have prompted discussions among experts about a significant issue: Should authors be allowed to suggest potential peer reviewers?
Dec 19, 2014
This post explains how to print temperatures, seconds, and primers in describing a polymerase chain reaction.
Dec 11, 2014
The article discusses a few points of style related to bacterial nomenclature.
Dec 8, 2014
Can the high host specificity of phages be used to our advantage, in order to establish a preventive and therapeutic method for some chronic diseases?
Dec 3, 2014
A brief review of the scope and special features of a new learner's dictionary from Oxford University Press, meant for learners of academic English.
Dec 2, 2014
Quick facts about the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Dec 2, 2014
This article covers the basic points of style authors should note while using the names of species in research papers.
Dec 1, 2014
Post-publication peer review is considered by some experts as one of ways of preserving scientific integrity since published research is open to the scrutiny of all experts in the field. However, researchers who raise concerns about questionable science on public platforms face legal threats and defamation suits. This raises critical questions: How much should libel laws interfere with science? Can laws protect genuine whistleblowers from unwarranted legal threats? How can post-publication peer review platforms ensure that the commentators do not use anonymity to make personal attacks on reviewers? Read this article to gain insights into the legal and ethical aspects of post-publication peer review.
Nov 29, 2014
Peer reviewers are supposed to be the gatekeepers of science, but unfortunately, sometimes peer reviewers are also guilty of misconduct. This case study tracks an ethical breach by a peer reviewer and summarizes the rules laid down by the Committee of Publication Ethics regarding the ethical standards and boundaries that reviewers are expected to uphold in peer review.
Nov 28, 2014
While reviewing an author’s manuscript, our publication expert observed that the result of an experiment seemed highly improbable and one of the images provided seemed to be manipulated. This article tracks the details of this case and explains how an author can safeguarded his/her study from suspicions of data fabrication and image manipulation.
Nov 24, 2014
Discusses the recommendations concerning the use of capitals in eponyms
Nov 20, 2014
Although China is among the world leaders in scientific output, the Chinese research system has been struggling to resolve many basic problems in research management. To address the flaws in the system and improve the quality of China’s research output, the Chinese government is planning to introduce several extensive reforms in its research system, including restructuring within the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), introducing a new ‘five pillar system’ for granting funds, and initiation in translational research. Will China, despite the many challenges it faces, be able to make these changes? Could these reforms place China at the top of the global research output pyramid? Find the answers to these questions in this article.
Nov 19, 2014
Watch this video to learn more about the importance of data management in research.
Nov 18, 2014
Authors often wonder when to use "woman" and "female" to keep scientific writing free of gender bias. This post provides guidance on using these terms effectively and appropriately.
Nov 18, 2014
Most researchers avoid referring to individuals in their research paper. Instead, they use such terms as cases, subjects, and even data points. This post provides discusses the preferred usage of these terms.
Nov 18, 2014
This article demonstrates how you can write a good title for your research paper by following five simple steps.
Nov 18, 2014
The title of a research paper is the first aspect that will be noticed by journal editors/reviewers and readers. Therefore, it is essential to get the title right. This article provides quick and useful tips to help authors write effective titles for their research papers.
Nov 18, 2014
August 25, 2014, 01:00 AM - August 25, 2014, 09:00 AM UTC 
July 8, 2014, 01:00 AM - July 10, 2014, 09:00 AM UTC 
September 1, 2014, 03:00 AM - September 2, 2014, 06:00 AM UTC 
The Breakthrough Prize, the largest award in sciences, honored 14 pioneering scientists in the fields of fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics with $3 million each. The 2015 Breakthrough Prizes were announced in a press
Nov 14, 2014
Addressing peer reviewers’ comments can be quite stressful. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you deal with them confidently.
Nov 11, 2014
Different journals follow different types of peer review based on the kind of research they publish and their journal management style. Being aware of the various types of peer review will help authors understand the publication process better.
Nov 11, 2014
Responding to peer reviewers’ comments can be quite stressful. But if you are well prepared, this can be an enriching and enjoyable learning experience. This article provides nine excellent tips to respond to peer reviewer comments.
Nov 11, 2014
The ultimate objective of peer review is to ensure a high quality of published science and authors should view the process as an opportunity to improve the quality of their manuscript. This post provides a brief definition and significance of the peer review process.
Nov 11, 2014
This article series has attempted to describe the unique role played by gastroenterology and stoma care nurses in the UK, and the
Nov 11, 2014
A cover letter for a revised manuscript should be sent to the editor along with the author’s responses to the reviewer comments. This letter is often called the response letter or the rebuttal letter.
Nov 11, 2014
While peer review is considered as an integral part of validating the soundness of science, peer reviewing has remained a largely unacknowledged task. The recently launched Publons platform aims to incentivize peer review by establishing a transparent system for peer reviewer recognition. Will the Publons system of enabling reviewers to build their own “peer review track record” motivate peer reviewers to allot more time and attention to reviewing?
Nov 5, 2014
The third annual John Maddox Prize was jointly awarded to freelance journalist Dr. Emily Willingham and early career scientist Dr. David Robert Grimes in recognition of their contribution to promoting science and evidence on matters of public interest despite facing difficulty and hostility.
Nov 3, 2014
It takes several months to years for a researcher to publish a paper. A commonly cited reason for delayed publication is that the peer reviewers often recommend that additional experiments be performed. While reviewer-suggested experiments might be intended to ensure that authors’ claims are supported by substantial evidence, such requests lead to a prolonged peer review process. This not only keeps good science away from the public but also increases the cost of labs since additional experiments need to be conducted. Do reviewer-suggested experiments really help in improving the research data or are the suggestions made indiscriminately? Can journal editors play a role in ensuring that peer review is conducted responsibly? Read the article that discusses these issues in depth.
Oct 31, 2014
Journal acceptance is a big deal. Authors often seek the help of scientific editing service providers to prepare a publication-ready manuscript. This article provides some tips on how authors can send the best possible copy to a scientific editing service to help the scientific editor focus on improving the overall quality of the manuscript.
Oct 31, 2014
This article shares some great tips for regional or local journals that are looking to expand their scope and become international so that they can reach out to a global readership.
Oct 27, 2014
In the ever-expanding academic literature pool, health-related academic journal publications authored by nurses are very rare. In this post, Jolene Menezes, Editor of the journal Gastrointestinal Nursing emphasizes the importance of having publications authored by nurses. Jolene argues that as primary care givers, nurses continually innovate and their contributions could benefit the healthcare industry at large. She goes on to explore some of the reasons behind the lack of nurse publications.
Oct 22, 2014
To ensure that your manuscript conveys your ideas effectively, it is essential for you to structure it well. Many journals expect scientific research papers to be written in the traditional format, which is also referred to as the IMRaD format (Introduction, Materials and methods, Results, and Discussion). This post provides some quick tips following the IMRaD structure.
Oct 15, 2014
The 2014 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to the French economist Jean Tirole in recognition of his analysis of market power and regulation. Tirole is chairs the board of the Jean-Jacques
Oct 14, 2014
Most journals have online submission systems, which have definitely made it easier and quicker for authors to submit their manuscripts. Once a manuscript is submitted, there is an online tracking system through which authors can follow the journey of their manuscript.
TrendingOct 14, 2014
The stereotypical view of a nurse is a person who tends the sick, injured, or infirm. However, I have realized that there is much more to the role of gastroenterology and stoma care nurses than tending the sick.
Oct 11, 2014
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three researchers “for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy.” Eric Betzig of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Farm Research Campus in Ashburn, Virgi
Oct 9, 2014
The Nobel Prize, established by the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, is coveted and acknowledged by scientists worldwide as the individuals upon whom this award is bestowed “shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind” as mentioned in Mr. Nobel’s will. The Nobel Prize is awarded annua
Oct 8, 2014
This year's Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura for inventing blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) which enabled the creation of white LEDs—more efficient and longer-lasting light sources. The Nobel Committee called their invention "revolutionary" a
Oct 8, 2014
This post, co-authored by Sylwia B. Ufnalska and Arjan K.S. Polderman, drafts a list of golden rules for editors.
Oct 8, 2014
Everything you need to know to submit to the European Heart Journal.
Oct 7, 2014
Retraction is a way of alerting the research community of a paper’s questionable credibility. However, retracted papers continue to have an ‘afterlife’, in the form of citations, long after they are declared to be retracted. Is it the responsibility of authors to be careful about citing retracted scientific papers? Could journal editors play an important role in communicating retraction of scientific papers? This article tries to explore why retracted articles continue to be cited, and ways of improving scientific communication between authors and publishers.
Oct 1, 2014
This article shares an editor's experience and views on why papers get rejected. Read on to find out how authors can avoid their manuscript from getting rejected.
Sep 30, 2014
If you are planning to get published and are looking for target journals, you should ensure that the journals are authentic. This article provides expert tips that will help you avoid predatory journals and select a reliable journal for your manuscript.
Sep 30, 2014
Once a manuscript is submitted to a journal, it goes through an initial screening process which involves a preliminary review by the journal editor. At this stage, the editor has to choose an outcome for the paper. Read on to know the possible outcomes and what they mean for you as the author.
Sep 29, 2014
In this 3-minute video, Dr. Leslie Citrome explains why it is important for the author to promote the acceptance of his/her paper among the research community, what is the best time for research promotion, and how it can benefit the author and the journal.
Sep 22, 2014
Figures are powerful visual tools that provide visual impact, more so than verbal descriptions. Using figures is an effective way of sharing your research findings. Here are some useful tips for preparing impactful figures.
Sep 19, 2014
In research manuscripts, tables are used to present numerical data, summarize existing literature, present survey questions, or indicate similarities or differences between certain related characteristics in a specific dataset. The pointers mentioned in this post will help you prepare clear, effective, and impactful tables.
Sep 19, 2014
Tables and figures play a critical role in enhancing the overall quality and impact of a research manuscript. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the tables and figures in your research manuscript are flawless, effective, and attractive. Read on for some great tips on presenting your data to create an impact.
Sep 19, 2014
One of the most difficult aspects of research manuscript preparation is deciding whether your findings should be presented through tables, figures, or text. The tips listed in the article will help you make a more informed decision.
Sep 19, 2014
Tables and figures are essential components of a research paper. Even before you begin preparing tables and figures for your research manuscript, it is essential for you to understand if and when to use them. Here are some tips to help you present your data better.
Sep 19, 2014
In this 7-minute video, Dr. Leslie Citrome gives valuable advice on what authors can do to ensure that their manuscript goes smoothly through the peer review process, what they should include in the cover letter, and what they should keep in mind when selecting preferred reviewers.
Sep 18, 2014
September 3, 2014, 09:00 AM - September 3, 2014, 09:00 AM UTC 
Over the years in Brazil, open access has emerged as a favorable solution to help increase the visibility of Brazilian researchers in the global research arena, and the SciELO portal has proved to be one of the earliest, and arguably most successful, open access initiatives
Sep 12, 2014
This is the third of a series of five videos in which Donald Samulack, President, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, speaks to Dr. Leslie Citrome, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, New York Medical College, and Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Clinical Practice, at The International Publication Planning Association (TIPPA) meeting in San Diego, February 10, 2014.
Sep 12, 2014
Plagiarism is often one of the commonly cited reasons behind retraction of scientific papers. However, should plagiarism in any form necessarily result in journal retraction? Instead of retracting plagiarized papers as a rule of thumb, should journal editors make an attempt at assessing the concerned author’s intent before deciding on retraction? The article discusses these viewpoints as well as the role of journal editors in deciding a paper’s future.
Sep 12, 2014
In this 6-minute video, Dr. Leslie Citrome, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Clinical Practice, gives an overview of the submissions that the journal receives from Asia, identifies specific challenges in these submissions, and explains how the journal works with ESL authors.
Sep 4, 2014
In recent years, many journal editorial departments have begun to employ freelance editors rather than an exclusively in-house team. Although a freelance editing model offers greater editor availability and subject-area expertise, it necessitates betterquality control. We hypothesize that
Aug 31, 2014
Get all the information you need to submit to the American Journal of Ophthalmology at a glance.
Aug 30, 2014
Retraction is one of the most widely discussed topics in the publication industry, and authors should be aware of its implications.
Aug 28, 2014
With the global increase in specialized research disciplines and collaborative research, interdisciplinary studies or those with overlapping subject areas are becoming increasingly common. It can however, become very difficult to select an appropriate journal for such studies. This case study illustrates how selecting a journal whose scope matches your paper can be crucial in case of interdisciplinary studies, and how a wrong choice can lead to a rejection even in the case of an exceptionally novel study.
Aug 28, 2014
Every author wants to see their paper published. However, even papers with novel and path breaking findings might face rejection due to basic mistakes in manuscript writing. To avoid this, authors can take care of the following common problems in the introduction, experiment, result, discussion,
Aug 27, 2014
This post discusses the article Why Open Access for Brazil (2008) by Alma Swan, which takes a deeper look at barriers that prevent Brazilian scientific research from being accessible globally, problems that Brazilian researchers face when trying to access research from other countries, and how open access has the potential to drastically increase Brazil’s visibility globally.
Aug 26, 2014
Why is stem cell research surrounded by scandals and why do the controversies have serious implications on science? Dr. Xuejun Sun, experienced researcher and Associate Editor at Springers’ Medical Gas Research journal, presents a new outlook on the issue of stem cell research scandals. In this article, he provides interesting insights into some of the most infamous incidents of academic misconduct, especially in stem cell research, and discusses the possible causes behind them.
Aug 26, 2014
This post emphasizes the need to confirm that all the sources that are being cited are credible in order to avoid misrepresenting the facts from cited sources.
Aug 21, 2014
Literature reading is critical to scientific research because this habit will generate a sense of appreciation and passion for science. Read this article for expert advice on literature reading and how you can benefit from making this a habit.
Aug 21, 2014
China is the top annual producer of PhDs in the world today, having surpassed even the US since 2008. Despite the fact that post-graduate programs in China resumed only in 1978 after being stopped completely during the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, there has been
Aug 18, 2014
ESL researchers who do not have the luxury of spending time writing in English and grappling with the nuances of the language can benefit considerably from translation services. They also have the option of package services that offer both translation and editing.
Aug 18, 2014
Protecting the identity of enrolled patients is of utmost importance in clinical studies. However, sometimes, if the study involves facial features, it can be difficult to conceal the identity in pictures showing the affected area. How can the identity of the patient be protected in such cases? Read on to find out.
Aug 14, 2014
The Fields Medal, which is officially known as International Medal for Outstanding Discoveries in Mathematics, is an esteemed award that is often described as the “mathematician’s Nobel Prize.”
Aug 13, 2014
The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), a website that lists open access journals, has announced that all the journals listed in their directory will need to reapply to ensure that meet the
Aug 11, 2014
The STAP cell case with its controversies has become a global media sensation. The lead researcher, Dr. Haruko Obokata of RIKEN research institute in Japan, shot to fame with the publication of breakthrough papers in Nature, which were soon retracted since many errors were spotted in the
Aug 8, 2014
Find answer to one of the most common questions researchers have - what does SCIE mean and how does it work?
Aug 6, 2014
Quick facts and tips for submitting your manuscript to the Diabetes journal
Aug 5, 2014
Public investment into scientific R&D has plateaued across the world, and this transition seems to have affected basic research the most. It it were the year 1960 and you had $10 to spend on science, what would you spend it on?
Jul 29, 2014
China is emerging as one of the leaders in global scientific output and research. But what about the current quality of Chinese journals and is it related to a difference between how China and the West manage their peer review process?
Jul 25, 2014
Indeed, China’s academic publishing industry is thriving, offering its scholars thousands of journals to publish in. However, when benchmarked against journals from English-speaking countries
Jul 25, 2014
Six African researchers working for the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme pressed charges against the institute for discriminating against them and won the case. The Kenyan industrial court declared that the researchers will be awarded 30 million Kenyan shillings (US$341,000) in compensation for having faced “institutional racism” and
Jul 24, 2014
This article presents the case of one of our clients who we helped create an effective manuscript by assisting in the creation of graphs. Read on to understand how and why the presentation of research data can have an impact on the readability of your manuscript.
Jul 24, 2014
What does conflict of interest mean? This article also explains why such conflicts arise and how they can be avoided.
Jul 24, 2014
Information at a glance for authors interested in submitting their manuscript to the Environmental Health Perspectives journal.
Jul 21, 2014
Highlights the case of a "reviewing ring" that eventually led to as many as 60 papers being retracted and offers a few tips on being alert to the possible misuse of a scientist's name.
Jul 17, 2014
The sphere of scientific communication is dominated by English. Even though ESL (English-as-a-second-language) authors may have conducted groundbreaking research and published their findings in their first language, their work is not likely to gain international recognition until they
Jul 11, 2014
An author took the assistance of Editage for the editing and submission of his manuscript. We edited and formatted the manuscript as per the journal guidelines, but the author preferred to access the journal submission system and complete the submission himself. Read on to know what happened next and what every author should know when making an online submission.
Jul 3, 2014
I attended the 12th General Assembly and Conference of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE) in Split, Croatia, June 12-15, 2014. I arrived in Split, a scenic coastal city along the Adriatic Sea, excited about the next three days, because the conference program and abstracts
Jul 1, 2014
Often authors feel disheartened when they receive multiple or detailed critical comments from peer reviewers. This article helps authors deal with major critical comments during peer review and with making exhaustive revisions to their manuscript.
Jun 24, 2014
June 7, 2014, 01:00 AM - June 7, 2014, 02:00 AM UTC 
The winners of the prestigious Kyoto Prize, Japan’s outstanding lifetime achievement award, have been announced for this year:
Jun 20, 2014
International journals solicit submissions from authors all over the world. But are these journals' author guidelines clear enough for nonnative English speakers?
Jun 19, 2014
The Kyoto Prize, Japan’s highest award presented annually for outstanding lifetime achievement, will be announced tomorrow, June 20, 2014. The internationally esteemed prize is presented to selected intellectuals w
Jun 18, 2014
Jeffrey Beall summarizes his opinions related to an interesting session titled "Understanding Contributor Roles in Scholarly Publications" held at the SSP 2014 meeting.
Jun 18, 2014
Although the Acknowledgments section of a research paper is perhaps the easiest to write, this simple exercise can prove difficult. This post offers you some helpful tips.
Jun 16, 2014
May 22, 2014, 06:00 AM - May 22, 2014, 08:00 AM UTC 
Journal decision making is complex and involves multiple layers of screening. Peer review is an extremely crucial part of this process, one on which the journal's decision relies heavily. Find answers to all your questions about journal decision process after manuscript submission.
Jun 13, 2014
Case: The study proposed a new wound healing technique and involved needle puncture on patients from two medical centers. It was mentioned in the paper that an institutional ethical review board has given ethical approval for the study.
Jun 13, 2014
Manuscript writing requires authors to take into account subtle differences in language usage. In keeping with this, the author of this article explains how the terms "about," "around," and "approximately" should be used in your academic writing.
Jun 12, 2014
Many early career researchers and students are often baffled about the role of peer review and what it entails. This article covers the basics of the peer review system and provides guidelines on dealing with it.
Jun 11, 2014
We are familiar with the concept of "edition" in published books but what about scholarly articles? Jeffrey Beall reports his observations of a panel presentation moderated by Todd Carpenter, the head of NISO, on this topic at the 2014 SSP meeting.
Jun 11, 2014
Learn about the submission requirements and author instructiions of the Radiology journal.
Jun 11, 2014
How can NNES authors be empowered in an era of globalization? This meeting report appearing in Science Editors is based on a session during the CSE 2013 meeting. Interesting case studies highlighted at this event emphasize the need for academic authors in non-native English-speaking (NNES) countries to receive English-language grounding.
Jun 10, 2014
Editors have an important role in handling research misconduct. A session took place on the topic during the Council of Science Editors (CSE) Annual Meeting, May 2013, Montreal. Find out from this published meeting report the views and helpful resources shared by speakers of prominent organizations.
Jun 10, 2014
Using content from one's own previously published work in a new study without citing the original work is considered as self-plagiarism. However, some authors are unaware that this is an unethical practice. This case study explores one such case of unintended self-plagiarism where the author uses portions of a study previously published in a regional journal.
Jun 9, 2014
As a result of technological developments and the increasing importance of article-level metrics, social media have become a valid source of information. There are generally three ways you can cite social media sources
Jun 4, 2014
I am currently writing a few research papers. From my office in France, I must write with my co-authors located in Brazil and two different cities in the USA. How can I collaborate on the writing of elaborate text such as scientific manuscripts while being so far apart? For some time the solution
Jun 2, 2014
Manuscript rejection can be very frustrating! But what if you could turn it into a positive experience? Watch this video to find out how you can benefit from rejection by taking it as a learning experience.
May 30, 2014
The winners of the prestigious Shaw Prize, which is also called the "Nobel Prize of Asia," for 2014 were announced on 27 May, 2014, at a press conference held in Hong Kong.
May 28, 2014
The journal publication process involves several rounds of interaction—both direct and indirect—with journal editors and journal reviewers. Communicating clearly and effectively with them is almost as important as ensuring that the English in your paper is up to the mark.
May 26, 2014
This post suggests a few language-related strategies for researchers to explain abstract or difficult-to-grasp concepts to the general public.
May 23, 2014
The open access (OA) movement is gaining worldwide consensus as more and more countries are joining the effort to make research freely available.
May 23, 2014
The essay is based on a presentation by the author at the 11th International Conference of EASE, Tallinn, June 2012.
May 22, 2014
Learn about the journal Organization Science in this brief profile of key facts, requirements, and suggested links.
May 22, 2014
Imagine what would happen if you woke up to realize all your research data is lost! It is possibly a researcher’s worst nightmare, something some unfortunate researchers have faced in reality. While complete data loss might sound shocking, even more shocking is the way some researchers h
May 21, 2014
China, one of the the leading contributors to global scientific output and research, has joined the shift to open access. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), one of the country’s major basic-science funding agencies, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one o
May 20, 2014
The Editor-in Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine and many others attended the 2013 Council of Science Editors (CSE) annual meeting. This meeting report contains the highlights of the event that was centered on global academic publishing.
May 19, 2014
This year’s Shaw Prize is especially noteworthy. It will be the first ceremony of this prestigious international award to be held since the passing of its founder Mr. Run Run Shaw.
May 19, 2014
April 8, 2014, 05:30 AM - April 8, 2014, 05:30 AM UTC 
Editing is an art that follows a strict scientific process. Authors can learn from the process and, in the absence of an edit, can at least survive if not succeed as writers. This paper was published in the report of the two-day conference hosted by the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka: ‘Research Writing in Japan: Cultural, Personal and Practical Perspectives’ (15-16th March, 2003).
May 12, 2014
Donald Samulack, President US Operations, Editage, presented a session titled “Can an author’s editor help expedite peer review of the manuscript they edit?” In his session, Donald emphasized that getting an editor to perform a pre-submission linguistic review of articles would not only benefit ESL (English as a second language) authors but would also likely expedite the peer-review process, thereby simplifying the workflow of the journal editing process.
May 7, 2014
Researchers facing challenges with funding and infrastructure may stand to learn from the region's recent events.
May 5, 2014
With digitalization and open access being the order of the day, science is becoming increasingly collaborative in nature. This article discusses authorship and how the contribution of collaborators can be defined.
May 5, 2014
Learn about the journal Cell in this brief profile of key facts, requirements, and suggested links.
Apr 30, 2014
This chapter, published as part of the Science Editors' Handbook by EASE, touches on the concerns of science editors but focuses mainly on what scientific copy-editors do with data tables.
Apr 30, 2014
Wouldn’t be interesting to know how the general public perceives science and what their views are about researchers?
Apr 28, 2014
The author describes common errors with style encountered in his editorial practice. These range from seemingly trivial errors with capitalisation and italicisation to complex mistakes involving the use of the apostrophe in eponymous terms.
Apr 23, 2014
“I saw the need. I saw the early signs of the change toward Open Access publishing. I saw the quickly growing need of Asian researchers to publish in English-language Western journals, and I saw how I could personally make a significant difference.” Dr. Don Samulack
Apr 15, 2014
What resources would help author’s editors working on scientific manuscripts perform their tasks more efficiently? This article published in Learned Published presents an experience-based opinion on such tools.
Apr 15, 2014
January 21, 2014, 08:00 AM - April 14, 2014, 10:00 AM UTC 
Getting your work published in a peer-reviewed journal almost always involves revising your manuscript at least once. This article provides tips on revising your manuscript to increase the chances of its acceptance.
TrendingApr 14, 2014
Knowing a bit about journal publishing helps authors to see their contribution in a context since authors are affected by the policies adopted by publishers of journals.
Apr 14, 2014
Currently, many journal articles contain statistical flaws. Journal editors and researchers are becoming increasingly concerned with the incorrect reporting of
Apr 14, 2014
The perplexing case of the STAP cell research, which caught the world’s attention, continues to remain in news. You can read the entire story in brief here.
Apr 8, 2014
November 25, 2013, 10:00 AM - November 25, 2013, 13:00 PM UTC 
Poor English can prevent acceptances from top-tier international journals at the cost of valuable research. But, who should do the job of copy-editing such research papers? The author of this article published in Current Science raises important points surrounding editing and the research community in India.
Apr 7, 2014
January 22, 2014, 10:00 AM - January 22, 2014, 14:00 PM UTC 
January 10, 2014, 14:00 PM - January 10, 2014, 16:00 PM UTC 
Although the pace of scientific progress has been rapid, at times, its momentum falters due to stumbling blocks such as irreproducibility of research, fraudulent publications, and honest mistakes.
Apr 7, 2014
In this article, published by Learned Publishing, the author questions the relevance and utility of the minutiae that style guides insist on.
Apr 5, 2014
What challenges do East Asian authors face in the publication process and what perceptions do journal editors have of submissions from East Asian countries? This study, published in Learned Publishing, presents and discusses the survey results, highlight gaps in the perspectives of authors and journal editors, and make recommendations to bridge these gaps.
Apr 4, 2014
Money is believed to buy everything—including authorship in journals covered by SCI, the Science Citation
Apr 4, 2014
January 14, 2014, 12:00 PM - January 14, 2014, 14:00 PM UTC 
January 11, 2014, 13:00 PM - January 11, 2014, 18:00 PM UTC 
Since its inception, the objective of science has been human progress through knowledge sharing. However, the scientific community is divided about the data sharing trend.
Mar 26, 2014
Peer review is perceived as one of the mainstays of scientific publishing. Papers that undergo the peer review process are held in high esteem since the quality of research is scrutinized
Mar 26, 2014
This article discusses tips for journal editors who are non-native English speakers and interested in transitioning their journal from a regional language to English.
Mar 25, 2014
As we wait for the final verdict on the STAP case, one thing is certain: when it comes to life outside the lab, the principles of scientific thinking become hazy.
Mar 20, 2014
Although The Economist, a British weekly, is not a research journal, its writing is often praised for its clarity and precision. How does the The Economist&n
Mar 19, 2014
Having written a paper for submission to a chosen journal, you will need to write something more, namely a letter or an e-mail addressed to the editor of the target journal requesting the editor to consider your paper for publication. English for Academic Correspondence and Socializing is a book that helps you write such covering letters and responses.
Mar 19, 2014
This article discusses the tips and tricks of writing the Results and Discussion sections of a research paper. Read on to learn how to write an effective research paper.
Mar 19, 2014
When it comes to writing, all information is not equal: some of it is given as an aside—not essential, but interesting, useful, or "nice to know." How do you mark this kind of information? This post explains how commas, brackets, and em dashes can be used to assist in writing your research paper effectively.
Mar 18, 2014
Recent groundbreaking papers published in Nature on January 29, 2014 by stem-cell biologists have created a media storm for three reasons: confusion over non-replicability, duplication of images, and textual borrowing. Unfortunately, with such cases recently, in which
Mar 18, 2014
Research nearly always involves measuring and counting: drawing inferences based on quantitative data is one of the distinguishing characteristics of science.
Mar 17, 2014
Poor English can delay the publication of research. A recent article in New Scientist, a British weekly science magazine, mentions that poor English “is another fac
Mar 17, 2014
Typically, readers see the title of a paper and, if that interests them, skim through the paper, looking at tables and figures and headings. Therefore, headings offer a useful entry point into a paper, and it is important to write them effectively. Read on for some useful tips to write great headings.
Mar 17, 2014
Just as the impact factor of a journal is one measure of the journal’s standing, prestige, or impact, the h-index is a measure of a scientist’s impact. This article explains h-index in detail.
Mar 17, 2014
Read this article to understand the secrets behind writing an effective introduction and methods section of a research paper.
Mar 17, 2014
As noted in my previous post, a handful of the STAP authors from RIKEN have issued a protocol exchange document detailing ‘essential technical tips’ to reproduce STAP cells. The listed protocol goes into far more detail than the original methods section published in Nature.
Mar 17, 2014
Style manuals are incredibly useful tools for writers, and similar to dictionaries and other reference resources, they must be updated regularly to account for the ever-changing vocabul
Mar 14, 2014
When writing a research paper for publication in a journal, following the journal’s style is very important and can be beneficial during the review process. Content will, of course, always be the top priority, but if the journal editor and reviewers see that you took the time and effort t
Mar 14, 2014
The volume of publication output has exploded. You cannot rule out the possibility that your research topic has already been addressed in a recently published paper. One of the most frequent reasons for rejection by journals is that the study is a duplication of work that’s already been published. It is important to keep up with published works in your field and use a structured search strategy to make sure you don’t overlook similar publications.
Mar 13, 2014
The STAP stem cells situation, as I write this down, represents a can of worms whose lid has been pried open by scores of scholarly commentators, most of them active researchers in the field, on social media over the last few weeks. Researcher forums like PubPeer and PubMed
Mar 11, 2014
Science magazines such as Scientific American and New Scientist do not have impact factors; yet, the impact of publishing an article in these magazines can be far greater: National Geographic, for instance, has a circulation greater than 4 million in USA alone,
Mar 7, 2014
A good editing service should not only ensure that the paper meets the widely accepted standards for language quality but also help the author improve his/her writing skills. With steady improvement in writing skills, authors can save crucial time and effort while writing the next paper.
Mar 5, 2014
In this 2-minute video, Dr. Bruce Dancik explains how much of the data included in tables and figures should be presented in the form of text, and how much should be left for the reader to extrapolate.
Mar 3, 2014
Most journals ask for keywords during manuscript submission. If you wish to learn how to choose keywords that would increase the visibility of your research paper, read on.
Feb 27, 2014
One of the most important factors that influence your chances of publication is the match between the scope of your research and the scope of your target journal. In addition to ensuring that the fundamental research is strong and the paper is written in high-quality English, a sound publication
Feb 26, 2014
Scientific writing is all about being accurate, brief, and objective, and as editors or writers, we should reduce the bias that creeps in from the use of insensitive language and flawed terminology. This article explains how authors can maintain a neutral, respectful, and unbiased tone in their research paper.
Feb 26, 2014
In this 4-minute video snippet, Dr. Bruce Dancik sums up the bare essentials that a manuscript must have in order to make it comprehensible for the reader/referee.
Feb 19, 2014
The by-products of scientometrics include citation indexes and impact factors, the most widely known being the journal impact factor. The convenience of having a simple metric is irresistible to science administrators, which gives the journal impact factors its clout. However, scientists themselves are increasingly wary of such metrics.
Feb 19, 2014
More corporations are becoming proactive with funding initiatives as they add two more lines in their business accounting in addition to loss/profit: social and environmental concerns. Learn how corporate social resposibility can help your research!
Feb 14, 2014
This 5-minute video presents Dr. Bruce Dancik’s take on the much-debated issues of authorship and conflicts of interest.
Feb 14, 2014
This video snippet takes a sneak peek into a typical day in a journal editor’s life. Dr. Bruce Dancik gives us a glimpse into the various levels of screening that a manuscript goes through, and takes us through the different stages in the editorial decision-making process.
Feb 12, 2014
In this video, Dr. Bruce Dancik reveals what journal editors actually look for in a manuscript. He provides useful tips on how an author can find out which journal would be interested to publish his/her research and explains some of the important factors that an author should consider while choosing a suitable journal.
Feb 10, 2014
Learn about the Academy of Management Journal in this brief profile of key facts, requirements, and suggested links.
Feb 5, 2014
In this video interview, Dr. Bruce P. Dancik explains which parts of the manuscript the author should pay special attention to when aiming to get published in an international English-language journal.
Feb 5, 2014
In this video, Dr. Bruce Dancik reveals what kind of a submission package editors like to see, and explains how certain key elements, such as an excellent cover letter or a clearly written manuscript, can ensure that your submission is well-received by the journal.
Feb 3, 2014
When writing a research paper, authors may feel confused about the use of certain words. This article explains the difference between the commonly confusing words - "e.g." "i.e." "namely."
Jan 31, 2014
Tired of all those irrelevant hits you get when you search for a term in an online search engine? In this post, I'll share three simple yet effective ways to ensure that the search hits you receive are relevant.
Jan 31, 2014
Hyphens are of two kinds, accidental and intentional.
Jan 31, 2014
Constructions like ‘the data reveal that’, ‘Table 1 shows that’, or ‘Figure 2 indicates that’ are common in research papers. But do you know how to use the terms "to reveal," "to show," and "to indicate" accurately? Read this article to understand the difference between the terms and how to use them in your academic writing.
Jan 31, 2014
Tables and figures, although important components of many research papers, are just that—components; you can publish a paper without them but you cannot publish tables or figures without a paper. And if text is...
Jan 31, 2014
Science demands precision, and part of mastering a subject involves learning the exact differences between words that mean more or less the same thing. An entomologist, for example...
Jan 31, 2014
For most researchers, one of the biggest challenges is to generate text or to deal with the task of translating your research findings into a research paper. This article offers some tips that will help authors write with more confidence.
Jan 31, 2014
Headings or headlines are a special kind of text and are not as rigidly governed by conventions of punctuation. Read more...
Jan 31, 2014
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are a great source for research funding. Could they be right for you? Read more to learn why they are different from other sources and how to begin looking for the right NGO funder for your research!
Jan 31, 2014
Most journals use acceptance or rejection rates to analyze whether the number of papers that they are rejecting or accepting is too high and to monitor any unusual trends. Read on to understand how journal acceptance rates can be interpreted.
Jan 29, 2014
Time and research dollars are limited resources for all researchers. This article provides details on what research funding is and presents a checklist of how you can secure funding for your research.
Jan 28, 2014
Donald Samulack, President, US Operations, Editage, Cactus Communications, speaks to Dr. Bruce P. Dancik, Editor-in-Chief, NRC Research Press/Canadian Science Publishing, and Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, at the 54th Annual Meet of the Council of Science Editors, held in Maryland, Baltimore, from April 29 through May 3, 2011. In the first of this series of video snippets, Dr. Dancik explains his responsibilities as Editor-in-chief and gives an overview of the NRC Research Press/Canadian Science Publishing, the kind of journals it publishes, the audience of these journals, and more.
Jan 27, 2014
During the process of writing a research paper, authors may sometimes find themselves struggling to choose one word or term over the other. This post deals with and clarifies the difference between the commonly confused words in research writing: "alternate" and "alternative."
Jan 27, 2014
To choose the right word from a pair or a group of words with similar meaning, we may consult a dictionary of synonyms. However, there are words that are so similar in their meaning that they are practically interchangeable. Or are they? "Almost" and "nearly" is one such pair, where dictionaries are no help. This article delves deeper into explaining this grammatical conundrum.
Jan 27, 2014
In a list of bullet points, whether each item begins with a capital letter depends on the punctuation mark that comes before the item. A capital letter typically marks the beginning of a sentence.
Jan 24, 2014
Novice researchers are often discouraged from using the first person pronouns I and we in their writing, and the most common reason given for avoiding the use of the first person
Jan 24, 2014
Using such expressions as “for example,” “for instance,” and “including” correctly is important. This article explains these terms and how to use them appropriately.
TrendingJan 24, 2014
The use of figures and tables as adjuncts to text is common in research papers. These adjuncts supplement the text: figures, for example, can convey information that may be impossible to convey through words
Jan 23, 2014
Many authors struggle with the usage of tenses in their research paper. This post discusses tense usage in specific sections of the manuscript to help authors write with more confidence.
Jan 23, 2014
When writing a research paper, you have to consider several matters of style. This article discusses the use of abbreviations and numbers in academic writing.
Jan 23, 2014
"As the number of scientists conducting research has reached unforeseen heights, it appears that the quality of conducted and published research has reached new lows." This article discusses various issues with the current research landscape.
Jan 23, 2014
There has been a tremendous increase in the number of research papers submitted to academic journals, which has significantly increased the pressure on journal editors and referees with greater demands on their most scarce resource – their time. This post discusses how authors can ensure that the chances of their manuscript getting accepted can be increased.
Jan 17, 2014
The most commonly cited sources in research papers are other papers, published in journals. However, especially in the humanities, books come a close second.
Jan 17, 2014
In writing to academics and scientists, perhaps the solution is simple enough: use Dear Dr Tanaka or Dr Smith or whatever surname or family name your correspondent has—if he or she ha
Jan 16, 2014
Scientific writing often poses a challenge to non-native English authors. While writing papers, authors often face grammatical problems. Let's look closely at one of the most common one in this post.
Jan 16, 2014
It is rare for a single researcher to publish a paper all by herself or himself; most research papers have several or many authors, and the average number of authors for a paper keeps rising
TrendingJan 16, 2014
Nitin Nair, Managing Editor, Center of Excellence for Business and Finance, had a memorable experience at the third biennial conference of the Indian Academy of Management (IAM) in Ahmedabad. Read on to know more details.
Jan 14, 2014
Many non-native English authors wish to improve their fluency in English to write better research papers and target international journals. This article discusses how exposure to correct language through extensive reading can improve your grip of English language.
Jan 14, 2014
Scientific writing often uses a few Latin phrases, either abbreviated (etc. for et cetera and et al. for et alii) or spelt out (in vitro, in vivo, in situ). Should they be set in italics?
Jan 14, 2014
As an author looking to get published in reputed international journals, you’re probably familiar with the cumbersome task of following the journal’s author guidelines and ensuring that every detail is taken care of.
Jan 14, 2014
The impact factor is one of the most discussed topics in the publishing and scientific community. Thomson Reuters assigns most journals a yearly impact factor (IF), which is the mean
Jan 8, 2014
Without doubt, all eyes in the academic publishing industry are on the Asia-pacific region now. And this is not surprising, as over the last few years, this region has been the centre s
Jan 3, 2014
Are there biases in the world of scientific publication? Indeed, one comes across biases in the publishing industry such as publication bias, time lag bias, multiple publication bias, location bias, citation bias, language bias, outcome reporting bias, confirmatory bias, and funding bias. This tutorial briefly explains what each of these biases is and how you can address them. Additionally, the SlideShare will enlighten you about the causes and effects of these biases, and why you should proactively oppose such prejudices.
Jan 3, 2014
Studying English grammar will probably help you eliminate many common errors of grammar from your writing—but it is unlikely that, as a researcher, you will actually pick up a book on
Dec 31, 2013
Available here is the published report on the 35th Annual Meeting of the Society for Scholarly Publishing. Find out more about the trending topics at this scholarly publishing event.
Dec 30, 2013
Securing funding through grant proposals is indeed a difficult and tedious process, and what is most challenging about it is making a grant proposal convincing. Even if you have a path-breaking research idea, it might not get funded unless you can present your idea in a truly convincing manner to the grant committee. This SlideShare provides you useful tips to make your proposal persuasive.
Dec 23, 2013
What is Salami Slicing in academic publishing? Why is it considered an unethical practice? Watch this video to learn more about the hazards of Salami Slicing and find out ways to avoid it.
Dec 18, 2013
Editage services are based on the specific needs that researchers have while preparing manuscripts for journal submission. Here are a few insights into the needs addressed by our Standa
Dec 17, 2013
Scientists who find it difficult to communicate in English would find the series of Web pages under the title "English Communication for Scientists" particularly useful.
Dec 6, 2013
Ghost authorship has been one of the persistent problems in medical writing, which this article discusses in detail.
Dec 2, 2013
November 25, 2013, 11:00 AM - November 26, 2013, 18:00 PM UTC 
A book review is a critical evaluation of a book. While it would definitely include a description of the different aspects of the book, what you need to keep in mind is that it is not a summary.
Nov 27, 2013
The references section of the research paper requires adequate details of the documents cited. This article discusses which details should you should focus on.
Nov 27, 2013
With modern word processors, we no longer have to make do with the same key for lowercase ‘l’ and numeral ‘1’ (as those who have used old portable typewriters may recall).
Nov 27, 2013
Among the many ways in which journals differ in the way, they expect authors to format references is the way names of journals are given: whether spelled out in full or abbreviated. This article hands out some tips on handling the abbreviations of journal names in references.
Nov 27, 2013
Graphs are often referred to as pictures of numbers. They capture the meaning behind a set of numbers and convey that meaning at a glance. This article discusses whether leaving the bars in a graph "empty" (blank) or filling them with different colors or patterns (dots, squares, straight lines, etc.) has any impact in the presentation of your data.
Nov 27, 2013
A footnote to a table is a pointer; it tells readers that whatever bit of text they are reading requires additional information to make complete sense. Learn in this article the best ways to use footnotes so that they aid rather than hinder the reader's understanding of your research paper.
Nov 27, 2013
A footnote to a table is a pointer; it tells readers that whatever bit of text they are reading requires additional information to make complete sense. Learn in this article the best ways to use footnotes so that they aid rather than hinder the reader's understanding of your research paper.
Nov 27, 2013
One of the many questions regarding journal choice that prolific young researchers face these days is this: Is it better to submit two or more papers to the same journal? Or is it better to try and publish in as many different journals as possible? Which choice will ensure maximum readership and citation? Read on to find answers to these questions.
Nov 25, 2013
As part of our continuous efforts to stay abreast of the latest trends in the field of radiotherapy, CACTUS/Editage attended a Continuing Medical Education program on Modern Day Radiation Oncology & Cancer Care
Nov 13, 2013
Editage participated in the 24th Annual Congress of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) held at the University of Exeter from August 31stto September 2nd, 2013.
Nov 13, 2013
Rejection is the norm in academic publishing. All established researchers are familiar with manuscript rejection. But understanding the possible reasons for journal rejection is the first step to ensuring successful publication.
Nov 12, 2013
The involvement of multiple individuals in different capacities naturally evokes the question of who should be credited and held accountable for the research published, especially since careers, ethics, and scientific integrity are at stake. This article outlines the major concepts pertaining to authorship.
Nov 12, 2013
Donald Samulack, President, US Operations at CACTUS/Editage was a part of a panel discussing “Experiences, Solutions, and Products and Services in Scholarly Communications” at the SciELO 15 Years Conference held to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the SciELO Network—an open access network that indexes more than 1000 journals and 400,000 papers.
Nov 12, 2013
Donald Samulack, President US Operations (Editage) attended the Entre Pares International publishers’ conference held on October 7 and October 8 in Monterrey, Mexico. The conference addressed key issues like increasing the scientific output and promoting its dissemination at an international level.
Nov 12, 2013
Editage, a division of Cactus Communications, Inc., attended the 244th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition held in Philadelphia, PA, from August 19 to 23. The theme of the meeting was “Materials for Health and Medicine.”
Nov 12, 2013
All too often, copyeditors focus on applying the correct style for numbers: for example, some journal publishers insist on omitting the space between the number and the unit
Nov 11, 2013
Those who are new to the field of academic publishing might have the impression that submitting research papers to journals and getting them published are orderly processes. The reality is of course different.
Nov 11, 2013
Getting the citations and references right can be tricky—most researchers also consider it trivial. However, journals insist that authors follow the style recommended for references meticulously. Perhaps what researchers need most is a handy source that can show by example how the bibliographic
Nov 11, 2013
Few books come this close to providing sound advice on the intricacies of the publishing game as What Editors Want: an author’s guide to scientific journal publishing
Nov 11, 2013
There are some common criteria you should consider when choosing a journal to publish in. Once you have a publication strategy in place, choose journals that meet all of your criteria.
Nov 4, 2013
Follow a structured search strategy to make sure you don’t overlook relevant and similar publications. Sign up for alerts to keep up with newly published papers.
Nov 4, 2013
Tables and figures are used in research papers to effectively present detailed results and complex relationships, reduce the length of the manuscript, and enhance readers’ understanding of the study results. This article explains in detail how to present your data in tables and figures to create an impact.
Nov 4, 2013
The peer review process for journal publication is essentially a quality control mechanism. It is a process by which experts evaluate scholarly works, and its objective is to ensure a high quality of published science. Read this article to understand peer review and editorial decision-making process in detail.
Nov 4, 2013
This article delves a little deeper into the fallacies of the impact factor and points that you should consider when using it.
Nov 4, 2013
How can you measure the quality of a research paper? More importantly, how can you determine whether your research is making an impact and is considered important? An objective way is through citation analysis.
Nov 4, 2013
In recent years, many research groups have been working independently to develop metrics that measure the impact of published research. The journal impact factor is a well-known metric used to measure the reputation of journals. However, it does not answer a question that is important to scientists worldwide: How can a researcher’s influence and research impact be measured? One of the most important breakthroughs in this regard was achieved with the introduction of the h-index, named after its inventor Jorge Hirsch.
Nov 4, 2013
So you’ve completed your study and published your paper in the journal of your choice. Now you want to make your paper accessible to more and more readers within and outside the scientific community so as to increase its impact. One way to increase the visibility of your paper is through self-archiving.
Nov 4, 2013
The title, abstract, and keywords are one of the most important elements to publication success. A negligent or sloppy attitude towards these three vital elements in the research paper format would be almost equivalent to leaving the accessibility of the research paper up to chance. Read this article to find expert tips on getting these right.
Nov 4, 2013
A paper has a greater chance of publication when it involves a full-scale study, rather than a fragment of a larger study. Read more to learn about the practice of “salami slicing.”
Nov 4, 2013
The aim of the journal article is to communicate your research effectively and help readers understand the issues at hand. This post explains how you can structure your manuscript so that readers take away the most important messages.
Nov 4, 2013
All researchers have heard about the impact factor. Read to learn what you may not know about the impact factor. Other measures of journal quality are now available as well.
Nov 2, 2013
Ethical research and publication practices are essential for honest scholarly and scientific research. Most journals today are keenly aware of this
Nov 2, 2013
Researchers tend to form close-knit communities with other researchers in their specific areas of study. Breaking into these closed communities and getting noticed can be a daunting prospect. Ideally, your work should speak for itself, and you will gradually gain recognition through your published papers and citations. But this is a long process, and while you wait for this kind of recognition, you need to make yourself visible by networking through various channels. One great way to network is through academic conferences.
Nov 1, 2013
The number of publications to a researcher’s credit seems to matter more than the quality of the work done. How did the publishing industry get to this point? How can you not only withstand but beat the pressure and continue to reap the rewards that research itself brings?
Nov 1, 2013
Shazia Khanam and Clarinda Cerejo had a memorable time at the first joint conference of EASE and ISMTE in Blankenberge, Belgium, September 23-24. Shazia and Clarinda presented a poster entitled “Can authors’ editors help expedite peer review of the manuscripts they edit?” and won the Best Poster Award.
Nov 1, 2013
Impact factors, the h-index, and other measures of assessing research journals and researchers are all based on citations. The basic logic is simple: if other researchers have cited your paper, that paper must be worthwhile. Although this simple measure is supplemented and refined by taking into account other factors,
Oct 30, 2013
Over the years we have measured “editing quality” in many different ways, and perhaps the most important of these is what you, the author, feel about the completed assignment. Have you been delighted by editing that brings out the true strength of your document?
Oct 30, 2013
If you are reading this article, chances are that you know at least one language other than English. Yet, when it comes to writing about your research and, more specifically, submitting a research paper to a journal, you will choose English. Clearly, English is the predominant language of science
Oct 30, 2013
Statistics on the predominance of English in the number of journals, the number of publications, the number of publishers, and so on are easy to find and speak for themselves. This article discusses some of the potential reasons behind this scenario.
Oct 30, 2013
Although English uses an elaborate system of tenses, simple past and simple present are the most common tenses in research papers, supplemented by present perfect and past perfect. The word ‘perfect’ in this case means ‘made complete’ or ‘completely done’
Oct 30, 2013
Publication bias refers to a phenomenon in scientific reporting whereby authors are more likely to submit and journal editors are more likely to publish studies with “positive” results than studies with “negative” results. This article discusses how such biases can affect science in the long run.
Oct 29, 2013
It is helpful for authors to be aware of the two dominant varieties of English in STM journal publishing - American and British - when preparing their manuscripts for publication.
Oct 25, 2013
At this time of the year, most academicians await the announcement of the Noble Prize winners. This prestigious award is presented to worthy candidates in the fields of medicine, physics, chemistry, economics, literature, and peace. The winners of this year will be announced on the following dates
Oct 24, 2013
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine!James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman, and Thomas C. Südhof were awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for solving the mystery of how the cell organizes its transport system. The insights
Oct 24, 2013
How do particles acquire mass? In 1964, these two physicists independently proposed a theory to explain this. Central to the theory was the prediction of a particle known informally as the "Higgs boson," named after one of the winners. This particle has been covered extensively in mass
Oct 24, 2013
Today, computers are used in pretty much every field of scientific research. Computers are ubiquitous in our personal lives as well, and it's hard to imagine a time when we used to do something simple like writing a letter without the aid of a computer. At one point, complex scientific
Oct 24, 2013
An overwhelming trend in the feedback we have collected from authors who have worked with us over the years is this: The editor’s understanding of the subject area is the most important parameter that influences the quality of the edited document. We have reflected this crucial relationship
Oct 24, 2013
The increasing popularity of open access has made it easy for individuals to set up bogus journals that guarantee publication but charge steep article-processing fees. With the recent surge in open access journals, it has become difficult to follow new journals being launched every day and gauge
Oct 21, 2013
This article discusses the latest available statistics on China’s progress in R&D, based on a global publishing report released by Thomson ReutersTM in February 2013 titled
Oct 21, 2013
Over the years, I’ve come across many common language mistakes made by non-native speakers of English. The incorrect of use of words and phrases in English can confuse the readers or mislead them. To clear this confusion and help you master the English language, I’ve discussed some.
Oct 21, 2013
Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what the academic world thinks of open access (OA) publishing and related topics, such as peer review, licensing, re-use, and metrics? Read on the results of a broad survey on this topic, conducted by Taylor & Francis and its parent company.
Oct 21, 2013
Here's a list of prestigious grants that are awarded to Chinese researchers every year. This list includes a special grant for researchers who have studied in the UK and who would like to recommence their research career after a break of a few years.
Oct 21, 2013
Ever wondered what happens to your manuscript once it is submitted to a journal? Does the fate of your paper depend solely on peer review? What are the stages your paper goes through before it is finally accepted or rejected by a journal? To what extent does peer review influence the editorial decision? This SlideShare gives you a detailed account of the journal screening process and tells you what exactly goes on behind the scenes! For further reading, read Dr. Eddy’s expert advice on the following questions about the journal editorial process:How long should I wait for a response from the journal? What is the meaning of “decision in process” status? Peer review process and editorial decision making at journals
Oct 19, 2013
Publishing a paper is not an easy job! It is a complex journey with a lot of complications. But don’t worry, Editage’s Publication Support services will make this task much easier for you. Watch this video to learn how Editage can support you through your publication process.
Oct 18, 2013
One of the most basic and important aspects of a research paper is the title. Writing the a research paper title may seem a simple task, but it requires some serious thought.
Oct 17, 2013
Addressing peer reviewer comments is a daunting task for even the most experienced authors. Sometimes peer reviewers write long-winded comments, which make it difficult to pinpoint the specific aspects you need to address. Once you receive reviewer comments for your submission, go through them
TrendingOct 17, 2013
This article discusses a few pairs of English word that non-English-speaking authors often mix up and use incorrectly.
Oct 17, 2013
Been looking for answers to your questions about the journal peer review process? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers to them.
Oct 17, 2013
Although the impact factor is the oldest and, arguably, the most widely used citation metric, it has lost some of its former glory. In recent years, the impact factor has come under considerable criticism for its limitations. For a discussion in this issue, read on to understand the journal impact factor in more detail.
Oct 17, 2013
Choosing a research question is clearly the first and most basic step to achieving publication success and advancing your career as a researcher. Read on for detailed tips to choose a great research question.
Oct 17, 2013
Traditional metrics for measuring scholarly impact, such as the impact factor of the journal, h-index, etc., are familiar to all researchers. But although still very popular, citation-based bibliometrics have been under criticism for various reasons, such as they cannot appropriately map
Oct 17, 2013
Research papers go through a long and thorough process of peer review so that the published papers are free of errors and mistakes. Despite this, sometimes some errors may remain
Oct 17, 2013
There are many books on the topic of scientific and research writing, but most researchers hardly have the time to delve into such books. If only there was something concise and yet enlightening! There is, actually. Try
Oct 17, 2013
Having a hard time picking a suitable journal for your paper? Wondering how to avoid the pain of your paper not matching the journal’s scope and the consequent delays in publication? Watch this video for some quick tips!
Oct 17, 2013
Even if you don’t intend to plagiarize, you may accidentally stumble into the trap of plagiarism. This is called Accidental Plagiarism. And it could happen to you if you’ve not mastered publication ethics. This video has some tips on how to avoid accidental plagiarism when writing a research paper.
Oct 17, 2013
Most authors like to have their work reviewed before submission. Some may request their department head or a colleague to review their manuscript, whereas others may seek the help of a friend. English-second-language authors trying to get published in international journals often employ
Oct 17, 2013
With new open access journals entering the publication space every day, all with highly varied article-processing charges, how do you determine whether you’re really selecting the best possible journal for the price you’re paying? Here's a new free online interactive tool to help you out!
Oct 17, 2013
The Nature Publishing Group released The Nature Publishing Index 2012, China, in May, 2013. This index is based on papers published in the prestigious Nature group of journals. From this report, it seems that China
Oct 17, 2013
Funding is indeed a big problem for scientists these days. Increased competition coupled with diminishing federal research has made it very difficult for university researchers to start new scientific projects. It is even more difficult for young researchers to get grants. This article shares some great insights into the strategies researchers can put to use to obtain funding.
Oct 17, 2013
Today, science is progressing rapidly and new findings come to light every day. In such a scenario, replication studies could prove to be an important part of scientific progress. This article discusses this issue in detail.
Oct 17, 2013
When writing a paper, always acknowledge all sources clearly and avoid copying other authors’ words verbatim. Failure to do so could lead to loss of tenure/funding and loss of credibility.
Oct 17, 2013
What do you think about this proposal? Will anonymity eliminate bias? Or do you think it is important for author identity to be disclosed in grant applications?
Oct 17, 2013
A conflict of interest arises whenever there is any potential bias that could affect a researcher’s work. Avoid post-publication headaches by disclosing all conflicts of interest upfront.
Oct 17, 2013
Journals will not publish your paper if your study involves human subjects and you have not obtained informed consent.
Oct 17, 2013
In the highly competitive world of academic publishing, authorship related problems are insreasing, with authors not getting credit for their work, disagreements between collaborators
Oct 16, 2013
Several newspapers today have published shocking news about Elsevier’s Editorial Management System (EES) having been hacked into recently. The popular blog
Oct 16, 2013
This post describes the features of a good cover letter. Read on for a simple checklist of dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind to write an effective cover letter.
Oct 16, 2013
In my earlier post on authorship, I had discussed ICME guidelines that help researchers in deciding whether a contributor qualifies to be an author or not.
Oct 16, 2013
A poster presentation is the perfect opportunity for you to highlight the importance of your research for people attending the conference. Posters are like billboards advertising a movie—they present in a nutshell the essence of a much larger venture. This article provides excellent tips to create an impressive poster.
Oct 16, 2013
Many English-second language authors find it quite difficult to write concisely because they cannot find appropriate words to substitute long phrases. In fact, conforming to a given word count limit is difficult for native English speakers as well because they usually have so much to say and
Oct 16, 2013
Conferences offer researchers a great opportunity to make numerous professional connections. If you wish to make the most of these conferences, read this article that shares some excellent networking tips.
Oct 16, 2013
In general, p values tell readers only whether any difference between groups, relationship, etc., is likely to be due to chance or to the variable(s) you are studying. Read this article for quick tips on the best way to present p values.
Oct 16, 2013
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) defines a clinical trial as any research project wherein human subjects are prospectively assigned to an intervention group or a control group to study the cause-and-effect relationship between a medical intervention and a health outcome.
Oct 16, 2013
Recent times have witnessed a drastic increase in the number of cases of scientific misconduct. In fact, the number of documented cases—419 in 2012, which is twice the number in 2011)—is too large to be ignored.
Oct 16, 2013
What are the most common mistakes authors make? I will share the views of a committee of journal editors, who are also the compilers of the popular medical style guide, the AMA (Association of Medical Editors) Manual of Style.
Oct 16, 2013
The number of published papers being retracted is increasing dramatically and is higher than ever before. Although retracted papers still represent a miniscule proportion of the total published literature, the rate of increase in retractions is alarming, as retracted papers tarnish
Oct 16, 2013
A group of three researchers affiliated to different institutions in Chicago, IL, recently published a paper in Nature, in which they have proposed a new formula that researchers can use to predict what their h index will be five years later.
Oct 16, 2013
The pressure to publish is immense; the pressure to publish in high-impact journals, even more so for any young researcher trying to establish a successful research career. This pressure has led to some of the major problems affecting modern science, which are discussed in this article.
Oct 16, 2013
Do you want to improve your grant-writing skills and increase your chances of getting funded? This article provides effective strategies to create an effective and impressive grant proposal.
Oct 16, 2013
It is that time of the year when the Nobel Prize winners are announced and researchers wait anxiously to see if their specific field of study is recognized. But now as research is becoming more international and multidisciplinary, some people think the Nobel Prize award system is outdated and needs some changes. Do you think so too?
Oct 16, 2013
Comments by peer reviewers and journal editors are meant to help authors improve their manuscript. Follow the three golden rules mentioned in this article when responding to reviewer comments.
Oct 16, 2013
Have you often wondered how your research activities and achievements can be distinguished from those of other researchers with similar names? If your name appears as “Zhang W” on your research publications, how can you prevent another “Zhang W” from taking credit for your citations or patents?
Oct 16, 2013
An abstract is like a movie trailer. It offers a preview, highlights key points, and helps the audience decide whether to view the entire work. Abstracts are the pivot of a paper and this article shares 10 steps to writing a compelling abstract.
Oct 16, 2013
A well formulated and clearly defined research question increases your chances of publication. Read on for excellent tips on how to map out a good research question.
Oct 16, 2013
The active voice refers to a sentence format that emphasizes the doer of an action. For example, in the sentence “The mice inhaled the tobacco-infused aerosol,” the doer, i.e., “the mice” seem important. On the other hand, in the passive voice, the action being performed
Oct 16, 2013
This article presents some important aspects of presenting tables in your research paper so that they look more attractive and the data is easy to understand.
Oct 16, 2013
Read our sum up of the International Congress on Peer Review and Biomedical Publication---perhaps the biggest, most important conference that addresses issues at the heart of scientific, technical, and medical publication.
Sep 15, 2013
Networking is an extremely important part of attending conferences. This 4-minute video gives you some useful tips and strategies that will help you network effectively at conferences.
Aug 31, 2013
This is the first of a series of three videos which take a sneak peek into Roohi Ghosh’s training session on “Making the most of attending conferences.”
Aug 23, 2013
What are the things you need to do when you are actually attending a conference session? This video tells you what you should do if you wish to record a session, how to take notes, and how to ask questions at a session.
Aug 10, 2013
The total number of submissions annually, to both international and regional journals, has steadily increased throughout the world. However, the degree of this increase has varied considerably among countries. Although the US has remained ahead of China in terms of the total number of submissions its share in the total global submissions decreased from 26.2% in 2005 to 22.9% in 2010.
Jun 16, 2013
BPharm, Reproductive Health/Ethnopharmacology Research Group.
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