Winning The Game Scientists Play Revised Edition

by Sindermann, Carl J

• ISBN13: 9780738204253
• ISBN10: 0738204250
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-12
• Publisher: Basic Books

Summary

In this inspiring book of personal insight and sound advice, veteran scientist Carl J. Sindermann gives an insider's look at the competitive world of science and reveals the best strategies for attaining prominence and success. Taking apart the many different roles scientists must play during their careers, Sindermann compares common mistakes scientists make with what the best strategists do-whether they are publishing papers, presenting data, chairing meetings, or coping with government or academic bureaucracy. In the end, he maintains, well-honed interpersonal skills, a savvy eye on one's competitors, and excellent science are the keys to a satisfying and successful career.

Author Biography

Carl J. Sindermann is a marine biologist and the author of five trade books on careers in science. Since he received his advanced degrees from Harvard University, he has directed marine research laboratories in New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida and was the editor of the national journal Fishery Bulletin.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Importance of Interpersonal Strategies in Science	1	(24)
PART ONE: A PRIMER FOR SCIENTIFIC STRATEGISTS	25	(116)
The Scientist as a Writer: Publishing Scientific Papers	27	(26)
Authorship of scientific papers	28	(12)
The role of reviewers	40	(5)
Scientific writing viewed from the editor's desk	45	(4)
Damming the paper flood	49	(3)
Summary	52	(1)
The Scientist as a Performer: Presenting Scientific Papers	53	(18)
How not to present a scientific paper	54	(2)
Suggestions for better paper presentations	56	(8)
How to enjoy presenting a scientific paper	64	(3)
The so-called ``discussion'' following paper presentation	67	(2)
The last word	69	(2)
The Scientist as a Face in the Crowd: Attending Scientific Meetings	71	(18)
Strategies for meeting participation	71	(7)
Funding meeting attendance	78	(1)
Election to society offices	79	(2)
International meetings	81	(5)
Residues of scientific meetings	86	(2)
Summary	88	(1)
The Scientist as a Concertmaster: Chairing Scientific Sessions	89	(16)
Early planning	91	(3)
The meeting	94	(4)
Session follow-up	98	(2)
Special assignments	100	(4)
Summary	104	(1)
The Scientist as a Producer/Director: Organizing Scientific Meetings	105	(20)
The annual meeting of a scientific society	106	(7)
The workshop or small-group conference	113	(4)
The international symposium	117	(6)
Summary	123	(2)
The Scientist as a Negotiator: Participating in Committee Meetings	125	(16)
The chairperson's creed	126	(2)
The committee members' guide	128	(2)
Some committee games	130	(2)
Committee women	132	(1)
The advisory committee	133	(2)
Paper products of committee activities	135	(2)
Computer conferences	137	(3)
Summary	140	(1)
PART TWO: CRITICAL ISSUES FOR SCIENTIFIC STRATEGISTS	141	(66)
The Scientist in Transition: Moving Up, On, and Out	143	(32)
The fast track	146	(2)
Leaving the fast track	148	(2)
Life stages of a scientist	150	(5)
Eras in a professional career	155	(3)
The ``professional''	158	(5)
Losing strategies	163	(3)
Moving on	166	(4)
Moving out	170	(2)
Summary	172	(3)
The Scientist in Control: Getting and Using Power	175	(16)
Kinds of power in science	178	(5)
Power strategies	183	(4)
Organizational variations in power	187	(2)
Summary	189	(2)
The Scientist in Doubt: Defining Ethics in Science	191	(16)
The perimeter of the circle	192	(5)
Within the circle	197	(2)
Maneuvers in ethical combat zones	199	(7)
Summary	206	(1)
PART THREE: SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS FOR SCIENTIFIC STRATEGISTS	207	(68)
Women in Science: A Current Appraisal	209	(16)
The movement toward equality: current status of women in science	210	(5)
Impediments to achieving full equality for women scientists	215	(3)
Women scientists in the corridors of power	218	(4)
Summary	222	(3)
Coping with Bureaucracy and Bureaucrats	225	(24)
Types of bureaucrats	226	(8)
Common characteristics of bureaucrats	234	(3)
The bureaucratic hierarchy	237	(2)
Kinds of bureaucracies	239	(8)
Summary	247	(2)
Dealing with External Forces: News Media, Lawyers, Politicians, and the Public	249	(12)
News Media	250	(3)
Lawyers	253	(2)
Politicians	255	(2)
The public	257	(2)
Summary	259	(2)
The Scientist in Industry	261	(14)
Industrial game rules	263	(1)
Kinds of industrial research laboratories	264	(5)
Consulting	269	(2)
The scientist as an industry spokesperson	271	(2)
Summary	273	(2)
Conclusions	275	(4)
References	279	(4)
Index	283