“Or” does not preclude “and”

I find few instances of academic writing in which “and/or” is a better choice than simply “or.” As the above image illustrates, when you connect a pair of words with “or,” you’re not ruling out the possibility of “and”; that is, “or” includes “and” within its meaning.  In my experience, many writers are using “and/or”Continue reading ““Or” does not preclude “and””

Evaluating an AI Tool Designed for Academic Researchers: Consensus

By now, we’ve all seen how poorly ChatGPT deals with academic research—especially with citations. ChatGPT is known to make up details the sound real but are entirely false, even going so far as to create fake DOIs. But ChatGPT doesn’t represent all of AI, or even all of the subset of Generative AI. New AIContinue reading “Evaluating an AI Tool Designed for Academic Researchers: Consensus”

#AskDrEditor: Drafting compelling letters of support for research grant funding

My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. In this Ask Dr. Editor piece, I advise an applicant for a research grant on how to prepare a strong letter of support for a partner organization to submit as a part of a Tri-Council funding application: “Drafting compelling letters of support for research grant funding.”Continue reading “#AskDrEditor: Drafting compelling letters of support for research grant funding”

#AskDrEditor: Moving your research results into practice through policy briefs

My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece I advise on how to disseminate research through writing clear, accessible, and conscientious policy briefs: “Moving your research results into practice through policy briefs.” Have a question you want me to answer? Contact me!

#AskDrEditor: Diversity in citation practices: auditing your list of references contributes to better science

My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece offers three suggestions to citing ethically and diversifying your citation practices: “Diversity in citation practices: auditing your list of references contributes to better science.” Have a question you want me to answer? Contact me!

#AskDrEditor: How to write clear objectives for your research grant proposal

My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece covers four essential characeristics of clear and effective research objectives for grant proposals: “How to write clear objectives for your research grant proposal: They are the bricks that you’re laying on the path towards your goal.” Have a question you want meContinue reading “#AskDrEditor: How to write clear objectives for your research grant proposal”

#AskDrEditor: How to review a book you don’t like without destroying your professional relationships

My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece discusses how to review your acquaintances’ books in a critical, honest, yet diplomatic way: “How to review a book you don’t like without destroying your professional relationships” Have a question you want me to answer? Contact me!

#AskDrEditor: How to write an effective title for your next journal article

My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece discusses what makes a compelling title, from the perspective of both the research literature and human readers: “How to write an effective title for your next journal article” Have a question you want me to answer? Contact me!