Have I given mean reviews? I expect that the authors would think so, yeah. [The one that always sticks with me: from a psychologist who wrote a paper making claims about brain metabolism but repeatedly described glucose as a protein and claimed that visual processing did not require energy, among other equally ludicrous elements.]
Review isn't just mean in science, it can be really mean in creative writing classes too. I teach beginners level creative writing and I always point out the positives in everyone's work and then ask if they want any feedback on what could be improved. But many tutors apparently aren't so kind, which can be very detrimental to beginners! Obviously, serious scientific work and writing that is being put forward for publication need to be critiqued, but it's always possible to be kind.
Yes! This permeates almost every field I think. It's ok to tell people when they've done something good! And to recognize that none of us are perfect and we can all improve.
There is some positive direction on this. I suspect the level to which this is ACTUALLY done depends on the program officer and individual reviewers, but NSF proposal review panels are reminded to not make the feedback on a proposal's weaknesses personal, and reviewers are encouraged to write their comments in a way that'll help PIs improve their submissions in the future.
Have I given mean reviews? I expect that the authors would think so, yeah. [The one that always sticks with me: from a psychologist who wrote a paper making claims about brain metabolism but repeatedly described glucose as a protein and claimed that visual processing did not require energy, among other equally ludicrous elements.]
I don't regret eviscerating it.
I mean, sometimes we NEED to say what needs to be said! I don't think that's always wrong!
But I also think that a paper that's accept with minor revisions probably shouldn't make my aunt CRY.
No kidding. That's just silly.
Honest, you're right: there's no reason to ever insult anyone personally.
Review isn't just mean in science, it can be really mean in creative writing classes too. I teach beginners level creative writing and I always point out the positives in everyone's work and then ask if they want any feedback on what could be improved. But many tutors apparently aren't so kind, which can be very detrimental to beginners! Obviously, serious scientific work and writing that is being put forward for publication need to be critiqued, but it's always possible to be kind.
Yes! This permeates almost every field I think. It's ok to tell people when they've done something good! And to recognize that none of us are perfect and we can all improve.
There is some positive direction on this. I suspect the level to which this is ACTUALLY done depends on the program officer and individual reviewers, but NSF proposal review panels are reminded to not make the feedback on a proposal's weaknesses personal, and reviewers are encouraged to write their comments in a way that'll help PIs improve their submissions in the future.
“ There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. “ Any thoughts on how it could become ethical?
(Serious question.) Further reading?
LOL I wish. Not that smart over here.