Exposing the Unseen: Early Drafts of Scientific Writing Unveiled

The myth of the immaculate scientific paper is powerful. We often see only the polished, near-perfect versions. But beneath those pristine pages lies a chaotic process of revisions, rewrites, and rejections. EarlySciRev is here to expose that messiness.

Uncovering Hidden Revisions

EarlySciRev is a dataset that digs into the often unseen early stages of scientific writing. It scours arXiv LaTeX source files to find early-stage text revisions. By looking at commented-out text, which often contains discarded or alternative formulations, EarlySciRev reveals the true nature of scientific writing.

With 1.28 million candidate revision pairs identified, this dataset is no small feat. Once the dust settled, 578,000 validated revision pairs emerged, each rooted in authentic early drafting traces. This isn't just a pile of data. It's a goldmine for understanding how scientific papers evolve from messy drafts to the final product.

A Resource for Researchers

Why should anyone care about these early-stage revisions? Because they provide a raw, unfiltered look at scientific writing. This is invaluable for research on writing dynamics, revision modeling, and even LLM-assisted editing. Forget the pristine end-product. The real magic happens in the drafts.

EarlySciRev complements existing resources focused on later stages or synthetic rewrites. It's a fresh perspective on scientific writing. The dataset also includes a human-annotated benchmark for revision detection, adding another layer of reliability.

The Reality of Writing

Scientific writing isn't a straightforward process. It's an iterative dance of trial and error. EarlySciRev pulls back the curtain, showing a reality filled with second-guessing and constant tweaking. The funding rate is lying to you again if it says scientific writing is smooth sailing.

Are you bullish on hopium? This dataset might just be the wake-up call you need. The data already knows it ends badly for those believing in flawless writing from the start. The truth is, everyone's got a plan until exhaustion hits during the writing process.

EarlySciRev is a reminder that perfection is a myth. It's time to embrace the chaos. Zoom out. No, further. See it now? The beauty of scientific writing lies in its messy reality, not its polished façade.