Category Archives: The Society of Science

The Breakthrough Prize Doesn’t

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Bob O'H

Yesterday the recipients of next year’s Breakthrough Prize were announced. We’re told that these are meant to “elevate scientists to rock-star status” and to “inspire the next generation of scientists”. If that’s the aim, then they are going to be … Continue reading →

Posted in The Society of Science, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Altmetrics: what’s the point?

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Bob O'H

A couple of weeks ago Stephen (of this parish) generated a lot of discussion when he complained about the journal impact factor (JIF). I must admit I feel a bit sorry for the JIF. It’s certainly not perfect, but it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in The Society of Science, Uncategorized | 41 Comments

Good News for Open Access, Bad News for PLoS?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Bob O'H

Well, actually this is old news, which I only noticed because of a link from the Improbable Research blog. The shorter version is that the success of PLoS could mean PLoS’s demise, because the need to adapt massively to benefit … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Publishing, The Society of Science | 10 Comments

Rates of Scientific Fraud Retractions

Posted on November 17, 2010 by rpg

Ivan Oransky on his Retraction Watch blog pointed to a paper by R. Grant Steen looking at numbers of retraction and whether they were due to fraud or error. Ivan pointed to a news item on The Great Beyond by … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Publishing, Statistics, The Society of Science | 11 Comments

Could Libel Law Stop Science?

Posted on November 15, 2010 by rpg

So, this week some of us wrote about the problems of English (and Welsh) libel law. At the same time, a couple of new incidents of scientists falling foul of the libel laws were given publicity in the British press. … Continue reading →

Posted in The Society of Science | 10 Comments

Why Libel Needs to be Reformed

Posted on November 10, 2010 by rpg

This week is the first anniversary of the report Free Speech is Not for Sale, which highlighted the oppressive nature of English libel law. In short, the law is extremely hostile to writers, while being unreasonably friendly towards powerful corporations … Continue reading →

Posted in Silliness, The Society of Science | 3 Comments

Phew, what a busy week

Posted on June 20, 2010 by rpg

I’ve barely seen The Beast in the last week. Aside from writing a grant application at the last moment, I went to a stats conference in Norway. Unfortunately I couldn’t stay, because my institute held its annual retreat, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in The Society of Science | 11 Comments

More on Mendel’s Manuscript

Posted on June 4, 2010 by rpg

A couple of week ago I asked if anyone knew about the whereabouts of Mendel’s manuscript. Nobody seemed to know, but now the New York Times has an article about it. The short version is that the ownership is now … Continue reading →

Posted in The Society of Science | 3 Comments

Ethics, Jobs, and Real Life

Posted on May 24, 2010 by rpg

Last year I received an email sent to a newsgroup advertising a lectureship, with the stipulation that only women should apply. My reaction was curious – initially I was slightly offended, as this was clear discrimination (yes, yes I am … Continue reading →

Posted in The Society of Science | 17 Comments

Thesis Defence Today!

Posted on May 17, 2010 by rpg

Yay! I’m in Helsinki right now, because my student is defending his thesis (it starts in just over half an hour). I might update this post during the defence, depending on how engrossed I am. From left to right: Crispin … Continue reading →

Posted in The Society of Science | 6 Comments