On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 02:47:33 +0000 (UTC), "John Edser"
 wrote:

>
>Tim Tyler  wrote:
>Subject: Sbe Peer Review
>
>> > > > JE:-
>> > > > Would TT please comment on a proposal
>> > > > for sbe to set up an elected review
>> > > > panel in order to electronically publish 
>> > > > sbe peer reviewed papers.
>
>> > > TT:-
>> > > I can't think of much to say to that :-|
>> > > I rather doubt whether I'd want to be personally involved - as
>> > > reviewer, reviewed or voter - in any such scheme.
>
>> > JE:-
>> > Would TT please outline his case against
>> > such a scheme for the benefit of sbe readers.
>
>> TT:-
>> I have no case against such a scheme.
>> Want to set one up?  Be my guest.
>
>JE:-
>I am trying to understand why you negatively
>commented "I rather doubt whether I'd want 
>to be personally involved - as reviewer, 
>reviewed or voter - in any such scheme".
>I think that sbe peer review for electronically
>published papers would provide tangible benefits.
>To be able to set it up, cooperation between
>sbe subscribers is required. Neutrality
>does not help one way or the other. Since
>you did appear negative to the idea, I thought
>that you might like to share your reasons why
>with sbe readers. I think sbe reader's would 
>welcome any ideas, for or against, on this 
>proposition. 
>

The simple fact is that a professional biologist would not be tempted
to spend a lot of time either writing papers or reviewing papers for
something like sbe.  The reason is that it "doesn't count" when being
evaluated for professional activity, as in getting grants, promotions,
or tenure.  What does count is writing papers and reviewing papers in
the generally recognized peer-reviewed publications.  Even there, some
publications are more "prestigious" and therefore carry greater
weight, than others.  A group like sbe would count for zero.  In fact,
in many strongly research-oriented institutions, spending time at all
at such an endeavor would count negatively!

You may rant and rail against such scientific elitism and snobbery,
but it is a fact.  And people with careers to consider are bound by
such facts.
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