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I think one of the most famous examples is that of Grosset, who published his work on statistical significance under the pen name "Student.”[0] I wish I could g

I think one of the most famous examples is that of Grosset, who published his work on statistical significance under the pen name "Student.”[0] I wish I could give you a more recent example, but I don't pay attention to authors' degrees much, unless a paper is suspicious and from a journal I am unfamiliar with. If I am reading between the lines correctly, you are implying there are few undergrads publishing in high caliber journals because of gatekeeping. As a reviewer, I often don't even know the authors' names, let alone their degrees and affiliations. It is theoretically possible that editors would desk reject undergrads' papers, but: a) I personally don't think a PhD is required to do quality research, especially in CS, and I know I am not the only person thinking that; b) In some fields like psychology and, perhaps, physics many junior PhD students only have BS degrees, which doesn't stop them from publishing. I think that single-authored research papers by people without a PhD are relatively uncommon because getting a PhD is a very popular way of leveling up to the required expertise threshold and getting research funding without one is very difficult. I don't suspect folks without a PhD are systematically discriminated against by editors and reviewers, but, of course, I can't guarantee that this universally true across all research communities. 0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sealy_Gosset https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sealy_Gosset

seibelj 5y ago
I believe that “good” research, i.e. that which would be referenced by other “good” researchers and useful in obtaining government grants, reported in the press, and so on is indeed gatekeeped. Some subjects such as mathematics and computer science have had much progress in preprints and anyone can publish anonymously and make a mark. But the majority of subjects are blocked to those already connected, especially soft sciences like sociology, psychology, and economics. I think the entire academic enterprise needs to be burnt down and rebuilt. It’s rotten to the core and the people who are providing the most value - the scholars - are simultaneously underpaid and beholden to a deranged publishing process that is a rat race that accomplishes little and hurts society. Not just in our checkbook but also in the wasted talent.
- seoaeu 5y ago
  The status quo isn't perfect, but I think you are severely exaggerating how bad things are. The fact that nearly all scientific publishing is done by people who are paid to do research (grad students, research scientists, professors, etc.) isn't evidence of gatekeeping. It just means that most people aren't able/willing to work for free. It also isn't any sort of conspiracy that government grants are given out to people with a proven history of doing good research, as evaluated by their peers.

seibelj 5y ago

I believe that “good” research, i.e. that which would be referenced by other “good” researchers and useful in obtaining government grants, reported in the press, and so on is indeed gatekeeped. Some subjects such as mathematics and computer science have had much progress in preprints and anyone can publish anonymously and make a mark. But the majority of subjects are blocked to those already connected, especially soft sciences like sociology, psychology, and economics. I think the entire academic enterprise needs to be burnt down and rebuilt. It’s rotten to the core and the people who are providing the most value - the scholars - are simultaneously underpaid and beholden to a deranged publishing process that is a rat race that accomplishes little and hurts society. Not just in our checkbook but also in the wasted talent.

seoaeu 5y ago
The status quo isn't perfect, but I think you are severely exaggerating how bad things are. The fact that nearly all scientific publishing is done by people who are paid to do research (grad students, research scientists, professors, etc.) isn't evidence of gatekeeping. It just means that most people aren't able/willing to work for free. It also isn't any sort of conspiracy that government grants are given out to people with a proven history of doing good research, as evaluated by their peers.