Re: collaborator

[Arne Henden <aah@nofs.navy.mil>]

Michael Sallman wrote:
> I wonder if you would comment further on the term "collaborator".
> Are you saying that it makes sense to get the input of an "expert" or
> "more experienced person" before undertaking a project, or that the odds
> of getting a paper published as an "unknown individual" aren't very
> good? Or something else entirely?
> I'm just curious, as I have this star of mine that I've been working on
> for a couple of months. I think that it is (or could potentially be)
> interesting enough to warrant a full paper. If for no other reason than
> it's ability to hide from Tom's cameras. :-)
> I'd like to do more than just report it as a New Discovery, but perhaps
> that's the more appropriate way to go.
> 
All I was getting at is that you need some analysis if you want to
publish results on a single star.  If you do not have the background
to do the analysis (experience with BinaryMaker or WD for example for
an eclipsing binary), then you should collaborate with someone who does have
that background.  It is kinda catch-22: you need some preliminary data
to interest a collaborator, yet you don't want to spend nights of telescope
time if you find later that you can't interest anyone to help.  For the
latter case, though, you can go the New Discovery route and at least
get the data archived.

As with all scientific endeavors, you can obtain the observations and
do the analysis entirely by yourself.  When you submit a paper, however,
the reviewer may look at your publication record or lack thereof when
commenting. If it is your first publication, it is usually advisable
to work with someone else who has been successful at publication.
If you decline this approach, then work really hard at making your
case, detailing every step, so that the reviewer can see that you
know what you are doing.  The reviewer doesn't know you, so if something
is missing, it is hard to accept a conclusion on "faith" alone.
Be thorough.  The odds of getting a paper by an "unknown individual"
published are not that much different from those of a respected
researcher if you follow these guidelines.
Arne