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Author Topic: Sometimes I love reviewers  (Read 1266 times)
mozman
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« on: October 30, 2009, 01:29:42 PM »

A few weeks ago we got a manuscript back from review.  Generally positive, but one reviewer had an alternative explanation for one of our main results.

I said "that's retarded - it couldn't be that way, for reasons X, Y and Z".

And we did the experiment to show that it couldn't be that way.


Drum roll....


The reviewer was RIGHT - I'm the retard.  Good thing they caught it now so that we can change that part of the manuscript.  And now we have a new phenomena to investigate.

I love good reviewers.  They keep us sharp.

mm
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mickeymantle
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« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2009, 01:33:50 PM »


Yes, I agree.  I've had a few snarky reviewers over the years, but in general I find others' reactions to be illuminating, and on occasion (as with you) enlightening.
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larryc
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Eschew the hu.


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« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2009, 01:47:54 PM »

Tell the journal editor what you told us. That reviewer deserves to be praised.
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oatmeal
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« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2009, 01:49:58 PM »

I agree with larryc, ask the editor to tell the reviewer (it will look good in the reviewer's file). Good reviewers can make all the difference in the world and are why peer-review is so essential.
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august_leo
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« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2009, 12:10:01 PM »

I'm glad it worked out!

Personally, I always try to be the kind of reviewer I would want. I'm not a push over, but I offer suggestions if something has to be changed (like if a citation is wrong, or a different statistical test should be used).
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ucprof
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« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2009, 09:53:40 PM »

It's not unreasonable to thank an "anonymous referee" in the acknowledgments of the paper.
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astronomygal
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« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2009, 08:44:17 PM »

A few weeks ago we got a manuscript back from review.  Generally positive, but one reviewer had an alternative explanation for one of our main results.

I said "that's retarded - it couldn't be that way, for reasons X, Y and Z".

And we did the experiment to show that it couldn't be that way.


Drum roll....


The reviewer was RIGHT - I'm the retard.  Good thing they caught it now so that we can change that part of the manuscript.  And now we have a new phenomena to investigate.

I love good reviewers.  They keep us sharp.

mm
You realize that using the words "retard" and "retarded" as a pejorative is offensive, right?
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dismal_sci
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« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2009, 10:00:55 PM »



You realize that using the words "retard" and "retarded" as a pejorative is offensive, right?

Pretty sure he doesn't.  But I did note that he congratulates himself for being so "sharp" at the end.
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promovenda
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Lost in the library


« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2009, 02:43:59 PM »

Yes, I'm also disturbed by the using of those terms. Maybe because where I grew up,they were de rigueur. But also because they are crass and unfeeling.
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neil9
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« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2009, 02:55:18 PM »

From my recent publication:

Acknowledgements
The authors are extremely grateful to an anonymous reviewer for his guidance throughout the several versions of this paper and for his careful proofreading.
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secretweapon
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« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2009, 03:12:56 PM »

From my recent publication:

Acknowledgements
The authors are extremely grateful to an anonymous reviewer for his guidance throughout the several versions of this paper and for his careful proofreading.

So you know it was a man?
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neil9
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« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2009, 06:46:45 PM »

I know exactly who the reviewer is. In fact, that statement was approved by the "anonymous reviewer".

From my recent publication:

Acknowledgements
The authors are extremely grateful to an anonymous reviewer for his guidance throughout the several versions of this paper and for his careful proofreading.

So you know it was a man?
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Officially the bad guy on this forum.
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