How do you want to be measured, ECRs?
Consider a rather outrageous proposal. Perhaps there has been too much emphasis on bibliometric measures that either distort the process or minimally distinguish between qualified candidates. What if, instead, we assess young scientists according to their willingness to take risks, ability to work as part of a diverse team, creativity in complex problem-solving, and work ethic? There may be other attributes like these that separate the superstars from the merely successful. It could be quite insightful to commission a retrospective analysis of former awardees with some career track record since their awards, to improve our understanding of what constitutes good selection criteria. One could then ascertain whether those qualities were apparent in their backgrounds when they were candidates for their awards.
It is time to remedy a flawed bibliometric-based assessment for young scientists. After all, the future performance of a trillion-dollar enterprise is at stake.
Feed: Science: Current Issue
Posted on: Friday, 5 December 2014 11:00 AM
Author: Marcia McNutt
Subject: [Editorial] The measure of research merit
Each year, $1.4 trillion are invested in research by governments, foundations, and corporations. Hundreds if not thousands of high-profile prizes and medals are awarded to the best researchers, boosting their careers. Therefore, establishing a reliable predictor of future performance is a trillion-dollar matter. Last month, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation convened an international assembly of leaders in academia, research management, and policy to discuss "Beyond Bibliometrics: Identifying the Best." Current assessment is largely based on counting publications, counting citations, taking note of the impact factor of the journals where researchers publish, and derivatives of these such as the h-index. These approaches were severely criticized for numerous reasons, with shortcomings particularly apparent when assessing young scientists for prestigious, interdisciplinary awards. It is time to develop more appropriate measures and to use the scientific method itself to help in this endeavor. Author: Marcia McNutt
View article...<http://www.sciencemag.org/content/346/6214/1155.summary?rss=1>
No comments:
Post a Comment