Scientific Writing Online "Shortie": Responding to Reviews

Course Objective:

Between your paper is published, it is subjected to the peer-review process. A back-and-forth between yourself and the reviewers can mean months of delay and hours of stress. Although, ultimately, it is the strength of your science that will determine whether your paper is published, you can speed up the process by responding effectively to reviews.

In Module 1 of this short online workshop, you will receive tips on how to respond to reviews, including helpful input on how to structure your response, strike the appropriate tone and a phrasebank of useful language.

Participants of Module 2 will be given individual feedback on their texts and therefore leave the workshop with a better awareness of their strengths and weaknesses.

Topics and Methology:

Module 1: Input by Trainer and Q&A

 Module 1a: Responding to reviews (1 hour)

• Clarity: structure and layout
• Tone of your response
• Disagreeing diplomatically / standing up for your science
• Verb tenses

 Module 1b: Language and style: Writing clearly and concisely (1 hour)

• Structure: forest followed by trees
• Writing short, concise sentences
• Improving word order
• Internet resources

Module 2: Feedback (1 hour)

The group is divided into smaller groups of 4 students. Students share their texts and proofread them for mutual review before the session. In the session, the participants and trainer provide feedback on the texts and discuss corrections. Each student receives feedback on language and content.

It is possible to participate in Module 1 only.

Target audience:

Doctoral students, postdocs and clinician scientists. B2-Knowledge of English is required.


Maximum number of participants:

• unlimited for Module 1
• 18 participants for Module 2 (6 groups, 3 participants per group)

Preparation:

Module 1: come prepared with questions on the topic
Module 2: write (part of) a response to a review (1/2-1 page A4). Your text will be proofread/edited by three other students and the trainer and discussed in the session.

Technology: zoom. Please check that your PC meets the requirements beforehand (microphone, camera, Internet connection).  

Next Workshop: TBA
Module 1: -
Module 2: -


Transmed Credit Points: For module 1 0.3 CP / for both modules 1 CP for transferable skills training