diff --git a/paper.tex b/paper.tex index ff20a06..9098b3f 100644 --- a/paper.tex +++ b/paper.tex @@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ \subsection{Pooling: a necessary ingredient} The third aspect to pooling RSEs is visible most of all from a users perspective: a \textbf{single, central point of contact} for digital challenges is valuable to researchers, whose first problem often is not knowing whom to contact, partially because while they know what they want, they might not know what they need. A central RSE team can, due to its proximity to research, much better listen to the wishes expressed by researchers and then help formulate needs and act as a channel to either fulfil them themselves or reformulate and redirect the request. -The results are increased research speed and quality and, with that, a higher reputation of the entire research organisation. +The results can be increased research speed and quality and, with that, a higher reputation of the entire research organisation. Working in a research institution is very stimulating. However, an embedded RSE can feel very lonely when they do not have anybody to discuss technical problems. @@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ \subsection{Module 2: Consultation Services}% When an RSE unit carries out many of these project consultations, they will gather valuable experiences in transferring RSE knowledge to practitioners. An RSE hub puts these experiences into institutional memory, allowing for better RSE practice in the future. -RSE consultation services also have a positive impact on grant proposal quality. +RSE consultation services can also have a positive impact on grant proposal quality. Many proposals critically depend on research software to be developed and the requirements of funding agencies with respect to research software are growing and will continue to do so. Similar to dedicated RDM units that provide institutional support for data management plans, the RSE hub can support researchers by providing expertise with software management plans and the software engineering best practices required by these plans. Consultation services that are already involved in the proposal phase are expected to lead to an improved research workflow and thereby to better research. @@ -658,7 +658,7 @@ \section{Conclusions} Our survey of existing RSE units illustrates that such structures can take various forms, ranging from consultation-focused groups to those offering extensive software development services. Yet, all serve to consolidate expertise within a research institution, strengthen cooperation across scientific disciplines, and increase the overall quality of research. -Besides addressing local needs in software development and maintenance, well-established RSE units also bring broader institutional benefits, such as improved funding acquisition or enhanced reputational standing. +Besides addressing local needs in software development and maintenance, well-established RSE units can also bring broader institutional benefits, such as improved funding acquisition or enhanced reputational standing. They further enable closer collaboration among related domains like HPC, data management, and digital infrastructure. This ultimately leads to more sustainable, reproducible, and impactful research on and with software-based methods. diff --git a/review_answers/review_1_answers.md b/review_answers/review_1_answers.md index 2cddfc2..e08c631 100644 --- a/review_answers/review_1_answers.md +++ b/review_answers/review_1_answers.md @@ -48,6 +48,31 @@ > Moderate claims about grant success, reputation, and research quality unless directly supported. **Answer:** +We softened several claims in the paper + +- In section 3.2, the sentence + + > RSE consultation services also have a positive impact on grant proposal quality. + + has been replaced with + + > RSE consultation services **can** also have a positive impact on grant proposal quality. + +- In section 2.1, the sentence + + > The results are increased research speed and quality and, with that, a higher reputation of the entire research organisation. + + has been replaced with + + > The results **can be** increased research speed and quality and, with that, a higher reputation of the entire research organisation. + +- In the conclusions (section 6), the sentence + + > Besides addressing local needs in software development and maintenance, well-established RSE units also bring broader institutional benefits, such as improved funding acquisition or enhanced reputational standing. + + has been replaced with + + > Besides addressing local needs in software development and maintenance, well-established RSE units **can** also bring broader institutional benefits, such as improved funding acquisition or enhanced reputational standing. --- diff --git a/review_answers/review_2_answers.md b/review_answers/review_2_answers.md index 824944b..efeee95 100644 --- a/review_answers/review_2_answers.md +++ b/review_answers/review_2_answers.md @@ -58,6 +58,32 @@ > The claim that central RSE units improve "grant success, institutional reputation, and research quality" appears multiple times without strong evidence. You cite only one small survey of 12 units. This is not sufficient. Soften these claims or add more empirical references. **Answer:** +See our general comment on the Opinion paper. Unfortunately not all claims can be supported by empirical references, given that central RSE units are still a minority in Germany. Under this aspect, 12 is a large sample size. Nevertheless, we softened several claims in the paper + +- In section 3.2, the sentence + + > RSE consultation services also have a positive impact on grant proposal quality. + + has been replaced with + + > RSE consultation services **can** also have a positive impact on grant proposal quality. + +- In section 2.1, the sentence + + > The results are increased research speed and quality and, with that, a higher reputation of the entire research organisation. + + has been replaced with + + > The results **can be** increased research speed and quality and, with that, a higher reputation of the entire research organisation. + +- In the conclusions (section 6), the sentence + + > Besides addressing local needs in software development and maintenance, well-established RSE units also bring broader institutional benefits, such as improved funding acquisition or enhanced reputational standing. + + has been replaced with + + > Besides addressing local needs in software development and maintenance, well-established RSE units **can** also bring broader institutional benefits, such as improved funding acquisition or enhanced reputational standing. + ---