Visualizing researchers’ scientific contributions with radar plot

Abstract

The essay advocates for diverse approaches in presenting a researcher's scientific contributions in a project. Taking inspiration from sports journalism and its visualization of football players' data, the essay suggests that a radar plot, incorporating CRediT contributor role data, enables multiple authors of a scientific paper to illustrate their contributions in a more specific manner. The suggested method, though subject to bias reporting, pays credit to different aspects of a research project, from conceptualization, analysis, administration, to writing and revising. It not only enables both academics and lay readers to better understand the considerable amount of work required in every project but also calls for the need to employ diverse viewpoints in science.