It seems the production of Earth science knowledge in Africa is simply not progressing, despite the world’s interest in (and exploitation of) the continent’s mineral wealth.
A successful science career is founded in a solid publication track record.
Thiranun Kunatum/www.shutterstock.com
The traditional mode of publishing scientific research faces much criticism – primarily for being too slow and sometimes shoddily done. Maybe fewer publications of higher quality is the way forward.
What are the implications of peer review on competition in science?
PROChristian Guthier
Peer review is a crucial part of the academic publication system. It is also a critical part of the hiring and evaluation process. What’s the problem with peer review?
A good scoring system can help the best rise to the top.
Michael Coghlan/Flickr
Academic metrics are only problematic if they’re poorly implemented. If they’re used carefully, they can be a powerful tool to allow talent to rise to the top.
Our research metrics have been twisted from their original purpose to determine quality.
NessieNoodle/Flickr
Metrics are changing the way research is conducted and funded, and for the worse. They need to be radically revised to measure genuine scientific output.
Dirty Harry once said, “Opinions are like assholes; everybody has one”. Now that the internet has made it easier than ever to share an unsolicited opinion, traditional methods of academic review are beginning…
Normal day for a scientist at work.
Offices in the United States
In order to improve something, we need to be able to measure its quality. This is true in public policy, in commercial industries, and also in science. Like other fields, science has a growing need for…
This has been replaced by one number, sadly.
cifor
Scientists, like other professionals, need ways to evaluate themselves and their colleagues. These evaluations are necessary for better everyday management: hiring, promotions, awarding grants and so on…
Having climbed all the way to the Nobel Prize on a ladder made of papers published in Nature, Science and Cell, biologist Randy Schekman has declared that he is now going to boycott these luxury journals…
Randy Schekman: I will not publish in Nature, Science and Cell.
James Kegley
Recipients of this year’s Nobel Prizes converged on Stockholm to receive their medals, dine with the King and Queen, and be treated like the scientific royalty. For most this time is, understandably, about…
The secrets neuroscientists unlock about a cat’s brain will simply be locked up again, behind paywalls.
mayoofka
Erin McKiernan, National Institute of Public Health of Mexico
His eyes brighten and his voice rises as he tells me about his latest results. He is excited. He should be. His lab is unravelling the details of how new memories are formed in the brain. Then I ask him…
It’s time to let the journal impact factor die.
Ben McLeod
Science is a highly competitive business so measuring the impact of scientific research, meaningfully and objectively, is essential. The journal impact factor (JIF) has emerged over the past few decades…