Peer review of manuscripts and grants is part of the scientific endeavor and is an important responsibility of research scientists. However, how to do this critical task is rarely taught. Instead, many junior or early career scientists are handed a manuscript or invited to serve as a reviewer without much guidance. Like editors, reviewers serve … Read more
The cover letter is critical not only for applying to jobs, but it is also a key component of a submission for publication in a journal. Just as cover letters for job applications have a formula, so do those for submitting manuscript to journals. As I hiring manager and editor, I read many cover letters. … Read more
BioSerendipity expands its services to include figure compilation and scientific illustration. Founder and Owner, Nancy R. Gough, Ph.D., will work with the clients to develop the most effective presentation format for the data. Heather McDonald, Ph.D., will then turn the data into compiled figures for submission. With a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology and … Read more
Rejection is a reality for scientists, and a major responsibility of journal editors. Researchers performing good science—well controlled studies with solid methodologies that produce clear, reproducible results that advance scientific knowledge or extend scientific findings—can find themselves struggling to be published. A selective journal with a relatively high acceptance rate of 20% will be sending … Read more
For 17 years as an editor, I had the pleasure of reading great manuscripts and the pain of reading poorly presented ones. The first parts of the manuscript that the editor sees are the title, abstract, and cover letter. So, it is essential to devote time and effort to crafting these with both the expert … Read more