Thoughts and analysis related to science information, data, publication and culture.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the USA, a time to be thankful for, well, just about anything. It is my favorite of all the major holidays because it involves mostly food and not a lot of stuff (gifts, decorations, etc.) Here is my list of the science information things that I am thankful for this year: [...]..
Last week, an intriguing new tool for researchers was launched, the Open Access Button. The Button has two main goals: Track when and where researchers encounter publisher pay walls (articles unavailable because the user hasn’t paid a subscription or access fee)...
The first scientific journals were published in the late 17th century, and these print publications changed very little over time. Developments in printing technology, distribution and the advent of the commercial publisher all impacted the process, but the basic form was easily recognizable...
There are lots of ways to mess with the heads of undergraduate students. (This is a recent favorite). Giving them a research assignment and failing to specify a minimum number of references needed is just one example...
Today is Geologic Map Day, which gives me a great excuse to write about one of the most interesting, beautiful and informative information sources available, the geologic map.
In honor of the recent Ig Nobel prizes, awarded for achievements that “first make people laugh, and then make them think,” I present a few funny* things about scholarly citations...
On the Cheetos package are the words “0 grams trans fat.” They must be healthy, right? Grocery store packaging is one of the main ways that consumers get information about food and diet...
Funding agencies allocate funds for scientific research mainly based on peer-review of research proposals. In 2010, more than 15,000 researchers peer-reviewed more than 55,000 proposals...
The changing nature of how and where scientists share raw data has sparked a growing need for guidelines on how to cite these increasingly available datasets.
Being the first to do something matters. Just ask Pete Conrad and Alan Bean. Being the first to tell other folks that you did it matters too.
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Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.
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