Interlude: Misunderstood Messages, Lazy Author Syndrome, and Readability Metrics
Have you ever thought that your message was misunderstood?
Many authors share this frustration when a manuscript or grant is rejected. They might think: “The editor doesn’t see why this is important.” “Reviewer 2 misinterpreted what we meant.” “The reviewers just don’t get it.”
These reactions are all too common. But here’s the empowering shift: we can take charge of whether our message is understood.
When we make our message unmistakably clear, we open the door for editors, reviewers, and other readers to truly understand our work.
So the important question is: "How can we write so that our message is easily understood in the way we intend?"
I ask myself this question a lot. And in my Scientific Writing Simplified course, we focus on writing with intention—so the meaning you intend is the meaning your readers take away.
And writing with intention goes beyond science. Whatever the context, intentional writing makes it more likely that your readers take away the meaning you intended.
When have you thought that your message was misunderstood?
Now onto this week's round-up...
💌 Round-up
🎉 Featured
Rethinking Readability Metrics in Medical Communication: Are Common Readability Formulas Still Useful?
I was thrilled when Ben Riggs invited me to write this article for his guest editor issue of the AMWAJournal. In the article, I share what readability really means, why readability is important for all readers, and the benefits and limitations of common readability formulas. I also discuss how readability metrics might be advanced in the future and how humans will continue to be crucial in filling readability gaps.
💻 From My Desk
Is Lazy Author Syndrome Damaging Your Scientific Credibility?
Have you heard of lazy author syndrome? This syndrome has been linked to poor citation practices in research publications. And in this video, I unpack what this syndrome is, what citation habit is associated with it, and the best practices for including citations that reflect your credibility and integrity.
👓 Reading
Analysis of scientific paper retractions due to data problems: Revealing challenges and countermeasures in data management
". . .since 2000, retractions due to data problems have increased significantly (p < 0.001), with the percentage in 2023 exceeding 75%. . . Data problems involve accuracy, reliability, validity, and integrity. There are significant differences (p < 0.001) in subjects, journal quartiles, retraction intervals, and other characteristics between data-related and other retractions. Data-related retractions are more concentrated in high-impact journals. . ."
Is high-volume publishing threatening research integrity?
"The study...found that:
around 10% (20,000 scientists) produced an impossibly high volume of publications
some scientists published hundreds of studies per year, with hundreds or even thousands of new co-authors
approximately 1,000 were early-career scientists with ≤10 years’ academic experience.
Analysis authors, Simone Pilia and Peter Mora, blame the surprising number of hyperprolific authors on a culture that rewards publication quantity through high scores on metrics. They suggest that this not only compromises research quality but leads to some scientists, “particularly the younger ones”, feeling pressured. Pilia and Mora linked the incentive to churn out large quantities of publications with “unethical practices” such as the inclusion of co-authors who have not made adequate contributions to the research. Based on their findings, Pilia and Mora warn that normalising high-volume publishing poses a significant threat to the fundamental academic process."
🧰 Tools
Think.Check.Submit
If you want to check whether you are submitting your research to a trusted journal, Think.Check.Submit provides a concise checklist to help you assess whether or not a publisher is suitable for your research.
…Oh, and if you want a systematic process for choosing the right journal for your manuscript, check out this video.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
