The frenzy for evaluation metrics recognizes the value of research based on the impact factor of the journals that publish the results. Only some areas of science are conducive to publication in the best tribunes. In biology, for instance, organismal biology, or taxonomy, are not very fashionable, whereas molecular or global approaches are trendy. The citation system to measure the quality of a scientist’s work is based on the acceptance of what is published: the more the rest of the scientific community likes it, the higher the value. In this framework there is little space for deviation from norms. Some examples are given here, within the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology, that show how difficult it is to enforce ideas, either new or old, that do not follow mainstream thought. In order to obtain tenure it is advisable to conform to mainstream, and publish your results in journals with high impact factors. New things can be attempted ‘after’ tenure has been granted; but ‘after’ is very often ‘too late’.

Scientists can be free, but only once they are tenured / Boero, F. - In: ETHICS IN SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS. - ISSN 1611-8014. - 15:1(2015), pp. 63-69. [10.3354/esep00164]

Scientists can be free, but only once they are tenured

Boero, F
2015

Abstract

The frenzy for evaluation metrics recognizes the value of research based on the impact factor of the journals that publish the results. Only some areas of science are conducive to publication in the best tribunes. In biology, for instance, organismal biology, or taxonomy, are not very fashionable, whereas molecular or global approaches are trendy. The citation system to measure the quality of a scientist’s work is based on the acceptance of what is published: the more the rest of the scientific community likes it, the higher the value. In this framework there is little space for deviation from norms. Some examples are given here, within the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology, that show how difficult it is to enforce ideas, either new or old, that do not follow mainstream thought. In order to obtain tenure it is advisable to conform to mainstream, and publish your results in journals with high impact factors. New things can be attempted ‘after’ tenure has been granted; but ‘after’ is very often ‘too late’.
2015
Scientists can be free, but only once they are tenured / Boero, F. - In: ETHICS IN SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS. - ISSN 1611-8014. - 15:1(2015), pp. 63-69. [10.3354/esep00164]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2015 academic freedom.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: articolo principale
Tipologia: Documento in Post-print
Licenza: Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 150.04 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
150.04 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/744153
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact