It seems that this discussion has somehow reached the conclusion that if
a reviewer asks for model/data, there absolutely must be an ulterior
motive to cheat you out of your high profile publication.
On the other hand, it seems like the intent of such reviewer is also
misunderstood as if the only reason would be to catch you fabricating
data.
I dare to suggest that neither is correct and while this discussion
seems to have developed along these lines, both only represent a small
fraction of real life situations.
I routinely request unreleased data/models. I do it to stem the tide of
subprime models in the PDB (outright fabrication is very very rare) and
it helps me to form judgment on presented model interpretation (which is
more difficult/often impossible to do from 2D figures).
If an author refuses to provide data, I would refuse to review. Don't
mind my name disclosed in exchange for data, secrecy is for totalitarian
governments.
Cheers,
Ed.
On Thu, 2012-04-19 at 20:18 -0400, Edward A. Berry wrote:
> Bosch, Juergen wrote:
> > To pick a bit on George's point with MR & citation.
> >
> > Here's how you can read it in the paper from your favourite competitor:
> >
> > A homology model was generated using [fill in any program for ab initio
> > prediction] and subsequently used for molecular replacement with Molrep.
> > The structure was refined to an Rwork of 21% and Rfree of 24 %.
> >
> Or maybe the structure was solved by MIR, using a lot of heavy atom data that
> they had been unable to solve until a fortuitous MR result gave phases which
> located the heavy atoms -- No, No, it was that new improved version of
> autosol!
> Anyway, who cares how the heavy atoms were located- the structure was solved
> entirely using their data and they have the raw data (image files even) to
> prove it. It was just bad luck with the derivatives that kept them from
> solving it 6 months earlier. They really deserve to have the first
> publication!
> >
> >
--
After much deep and profound brain things inside my head,
I have decided to thank you for bringing peace to our home.
Julian, King of Lemurs
