Here is a statement to think about - " The word processor has damaged research"
Those of you who are under 50 may have never used a typewriter in anger. Typewriters were difficult to use and you easily made mistakes. As result, you had to write your reports/papers/thesis in longhand. You were forced to refine your use of English: keeping the text precise knowing that you may have to type it. This language rigour also improved how you presented your argument.
Word processors allow text to be written quickly - too quickly for the writer's brain to edit and refine the text.
Have a look at the PHDs Thesis's in your department, you will find the average size of 1960/70s PhD Thesis's is about 75 to100 pages - today a 300 page thesis, plus an appendix is not uncommon. Most of these mega PhD's/Reports/Papers fall into my category of "Never mind the quality - look at the size. It must be good"
I am not a Luddite, I find Grammarly a revelation for someone who has always struggled with spelling and grammar.
Have a look at Crick and Watson's paper on the suggested structure of DNA - a two-page classic. If a similar paper was published today it would take up a whole journal. To be fair, Crick and Watson did go a bit mad in their follow up paper, in Nature, which was four pages long.
Hints on Research ...
Great advice - I'm going to stick this on my research team's virtual wall!
so good to hear I should be worried... :-)
Here is a statement to think about - " The word processor has damaged research"
Those of you who are under 50 may have never used a typewriter in anger. Typewriters were difficult to use and you easily made mistakes. As result, you had to write your reports/papers/thesis in longhand. You were forced to refine your use of English: keeping the text precise knowing that you may have to type it. This language rigour also improved how you presented your argument.
Word processors allow text to be written quickly - too quickly for the writer's brain to edit and refine the text.
Have a look at the PHDs Thesis's in your department, you will find the average size of 1960/70s PhD Thesis's is about 75 to100 pages - today a 300 page thesis, plus an appendix is not uncommon. Most of these mega PhD's/Reports/Papers fall into my category of "Never mind the quality - look at the size. It must be good"
I am not a Luddite, I find Grammarly a revelation for someone who has always struggled with spelling and grammar.
Have a look at Crick and Watson's paper on the suggested structure of DNA - a two-page classic. If a similar paper was published today it would take up a whole journal. To be fair, Crick and Watson did go a bit mad in their follow up paper, in Nature, which was four pages long.
http://dosequis.colorado.edu/Courses/MethodsLogic/papers/WatsonCrick1953.pdf
Remember, less ( well written) is more :-) Think of the poor examiner/reviewer who has to read your work.
Ta
Paul