Scientific writing: an analysis of Pune‐based climate scientists’ perceptions and training needs

Abstract

Scientific writing is integral to any scientific enterprise and constitutes an essential part of the toolkit of scientists to lead a successful career. But it remains a neglected area in science education, adversely impacting scientists’ career advancement and institutional productivity. When English is the de facto language of science, inabilities to express clearly in English can have serious implications for (non‐native English speaking) scientists. Further, scientists in a multilingual society like India may face more such lingual complexities barring clear and precise writing. Keeping in view the risks and uncertainty associated with weather and climate, different stakeholders are increasingly demanding clear communication from the scientific community. However, we have little understanding about what scientists think about their writing skills and capabilities. This article presents results of a survey examining the perceptions and attitudes of Indian weather and climate scientists about their skills, experiences and training needs in scientific writing. Results suggest that the majority of scientists have difficulties in preparing quality manuscripts suitable for publication, and that they are willing to undergo skill enhancement training to overcome their shortcomings. Some interesting insights emerge from the analysis that would be useful in helping scientists improve their scientific writing.