scholarly journals The oracles of science: On grant peer review and competitive funding

2021 ◽  
pp. 053901842110192
Author(s):  
Lambros Roumbanis
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Future Success ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Competitive Funding ◽  
New Research ◽  
Rank And Select ◽  
Good Research ◽  
Epistemological Point

From a purely epistemological point of view, evaluating and predicting the future success of new research projects is often considered very difficult. Is it possible to forecast important findings and breakthrough in science, and if not, then what is the point trying to do it anyway? Still, that is what funding agencies all over the world expect their reviewers to do, but a number of previous studies has shown that this form of evaluation of innovation, promise and future impact are a fundamentally uncertain and arbitrary practice. This is the context that I will discuss in the present essay, and I will claim that there is a deeply irrational element embedded in today’s heavy reliance on experts to screen, rank and select among the increasing numbers of good research projects, because they can, in principal, never discern the true potential behind the written proposals. Hence, I think it is motivated to see grant peer review as an ‘oracle of science’. My overall focus will be on the limits of competitive funding and also that the writing and reviewing of proposals is a waste of researchers’ precious time. And I will propose that we really need to develop new ways of thinking about how we organize research and distribute opportunities within academia.

scholarly journals Application of Simulation to Selecting Project Strategy for Autonomous Research Projects at Public Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Dorota Kuchta ◽  
Stanisław Stanek
Keyword(s):  
Public Universities ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Public University ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Research Project ◽  
University Policy ◽  
The Public ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Project Strategy

The definition of the success of research projects implemented at public universities is far from being unequivocal. The success of a research project has to be in line with both the public university’s and the funding institution’s policies, as well as with the personal objectives and ambitions of the researchers. Once the success definition for the research project has been determined, the strategy of implementation must be defined. The omission of this step may result in effort lost (public money, time, enthusiasm, etc.) after being directed toward objectives which do not fit with either the public university’s or the funding agency’s policies, nor with the researchers’ personal objectives. This paper discusses this problem and proposes a model where simulation is used to choose the project strategy that best fits the selected research project success definition in the context of the policy of a given public university, the preferences of its researchers, and the policy of the funding agencies. The model is illustrated by means of a case study—a real world research project implemented at a public university in a European country, where the policy of subsidizing public universities has been changing both very regularly and in a highly unpredictable manner. It is shown how various project strategies can lead to multiple project outcomes, which are then evaluated in different ways depending on the point of view of public university policy or of the researchers, the funding agencies, and/or society. The main conclusion is that applying simulation to a research project before it starts may contribute significantly to the optimization of time, effort, and resource usage with the objective of project success maximization in the context of public university policy and the objectives of the researchers.

Judicial geography as a legal science and academic discipline

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 122-137
Author(s):  
Almaz F. Abdulvaliev
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
New Research

This article presents the conceptual foundations for the formation of a new research field “Judicial Geography”, including the prerequisites for its creation, academic, and theoretical development, both in Russia and abroad. The purpose of the study is to study the possibility of applying geographical methods and means in criminal law, criminal procedure, and in judicial activity in general via the academic direction “Judicial Geography”. The author describes in detail the main elements of judicial geography and its role and significance for such legal sciences, as criminal law, criminal procedure, criminalistics, and criminology among others. The employed research methods allow showing the main vectors of the development of judicial geography, taking into account the previous achievements of Russian and worldwide academics. The author indicates the role and place of judicial geography in the system of legal sciences. This study suggests a concept of using scientific geographical methods in the study of various legal phenomena of a criminal and criminal-procedural nature when considering the idea of building judicial bodies and judicial instances, taking into account geographical and climatic factors. In this regard, the author advises to introduce the special course “Judicial Geography”, which would allow law students to study the specifics of the activities of the judiciary and preliminary investigation authorities from a geographical point of view, as well as to use various geographical methods, including the mapping method, in educational and practical activities. The author concludes that forensic geography may become a new milestone for subsequent scientific research in geography and jurisprudence.

scholarly journals Removal of Micropollutants by Ozone-Based Processes

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1013
Author(s):  
Ján Derco ◽  
Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn ◽  
Oľga Čižmárová ◽  
Jozef Dudáš ◽  
Lenka Sumegová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Emerging Pollutants ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Priority Substances ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Harmful Substances ◽  
Emerging Substances

Micropollutants and emerging substances pose a serious problem to environmental sustainability and remediation, due to their widespread use and applications in everyday life. This group of chemicals is diverse but with common toxic and harmful properties. Their concentration in the environment is often very low; however, due to their recalcitrant nature, they are persistent in air, water, and soil. From an engineering point of view, the challenge is not straightforward. It is difficult to remove these contaminants from complex mixtures of substances by conventional methods used in wastewater and drinking water treatment. Ozonation and ozone-based AOPs are accepted processes of degradation of resistant substances or at least enhancement of their biodegradability. The aim of this review paper is to present research trends aimed at solving problems in the research and application of ozone-based processes in the removal of micropollutants from wastewater, thus preventing leakage of harmful substances into surface water, soil, and groundwater and facilitating the reuse of wastewater. Priority substances, micropollutants and emerging pollutants, as well as processes and technologies for their transformation and elimination, are briefly specified. Results obtained by the authors in solving research projects that were aimed at eliminating selected micropollutants by ozonation and ozone-based AOPs are also presented. This review focuses on selected alkylphenols, petroleum substances, and organochlorine pesticides.

scholarly journals LO19: Introduction of a regional interactive group supervision tool to maximize multi-program research project support

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S33-S34
Author(s):  
P.R. Atkinson ◽  
K. Magee ◽  
A. Carter ◽  
K.F. Hurley ◽  
A. Sibley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Group Supervision ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Research Administration ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
University Departments ◽  
New Research ◽  
Program Research

Introduction/Innovation Concept: University Departments of Emergency Medicine are responsible for the supervision of research and other scholarly projects for fellows, residents and students, though often lack resources to provide adequate input and oversight. Many departments cover large geographical areas and several programs. We piloted new research committee structures and processes to improve oversight and output of research projects. Methods: We created an interactive group supervision tool based around formation of a collaborative research committee, with rotating chairs from each program, to provide supervision and face to face interaction, and direction for research learners. Included were all Dalhousie University adult and pediatric emergency medicine residency and fellowship programs, as well as trauma and EMS programs across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. In addition to providing expertise in clinical trial coordination, database management, research administration, grant applications and Research Ethics Board submissions, we have completed a 2-year pilot of our interactive group supervision tool for research projects. Curriculum, Tool, or Material: The interactive tool consists of a structured PICOD form; allocation of topic and research mentors; standardized yearly milestones from project development through presentation and publication; and regular video-conferenced and in-person interactive group sessions involving several project leads, as well as program research directors, researchers, and co-ordinators. To date, all participating program learners have engaged with the tool, with positive feedback from learners, supervisors and program directors. Conclusion: We report our development of a regional collaborative interactive group supervision tool, that maximizes expert resources in the provision of research and scholarly project supervision.

Vietnamese Proverbs From a Cultural Perspective

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Quy Ngo Thi ◽  
◽  
Hong Minh Nguyen Thi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Traditional Values ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Speakers Of Other Languages ◽  
New Research

Proverbs are important data depicting the traditional culture of each nation. Vietnamese proverbs, dated thousands of years ago, are an immense valuable treasure of experience which the Vietnamese people desire to pass to the younger generations. This paper aims to explore the unique and diversified world of intelligence and spirits of the Vietnamese through a condensed and special literary genre, as well as a traditional value of the nation (Nguyen Xuan Kinh 2013, Tran Ngoc Them 1996, Le Chi Que and Ngo Thi Thanh Quy 2014). Through an interdisciplinary approach, from an anthropological point of view, approaching proverbs we will open up a vast treasure of knowledge and culture of all Vietnamese generations. The study has examined over 16,000 Vietnamese proverbs and analysed three groups expressing Vietnamese people’s behaviors toward nature, society and their selves, and compared them with English and Japanese proverbs. The research has attempted to explore the beauty of Vietnamese language, cultural values and the souls and personalities of Vietnam. Approaching Vietnamese proverbs under the interdisciplinary perspective of language, culture and literature is a new research direction in the field of Social Sciences and Humanity in Vietnam. From these viewpoints, it is seen that proverbs have remarkably contributed to the language and culture of Vietnam as well as and constructed to the practice of language use in everyday life which is imaginary, meaningful and effective in communication. Furthermore, the study seeks to inspire the Vietnamese youth’s pride in national identity and to encourage their preservation and promotion for traditional values of the nation in the context of integration and globalisation. In the meantime, it would be favourable to introduce and market the beauty of Vietnamese language, culture and people to the world, encouraging the speakers of other languages to study, explore and understand Vietnam.

Die intrinsische Systemreaktion des tribologisch beanspruchten Schmierfettes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Kuhn
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Observation Point ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Research Paradigm ◽  
Lubricating Grease ◽  
New Research

This article deals with the observed reactions of a lubricating grease to tribological stress. An attempt is made to find the driving forces describe that are responsible for the intrinsic response. From these considerations, a new research paradigm is derived that leaves the traditional observation point of view. The investigations are illustrated with experimental results.

scholarly journals Educational audiovisual text design: empirical evidence and new research perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-35
Author(s):  
Giovanni Ganino
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Educational Technologies ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Research Perspectives ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Massive Online Open Courses ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
New Research ◽  
Instructional Design Principles

Abstract The article presents a systematic analysis of international literature concerning the design of educational audiovisual texts at university level. The theme appears very important in light of the extensive use of these cognitive artefacts in flipped, blended,Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) teaching processes. This is even more important in the era of health emergency that has led to the use of audiovisual text as the main teaching medium at school and university. The aim of the work is to provide a contribution to research on educational technologies for the purpose of identifying new instructional design principles that support multimedia learning. The analysis highlighted new research directions, such as the significant role of the camera point of view in learning complex manual procedures, new design elements on the ways of representing the teacher and his/her communicative attitude, and the increasingly close relationship between educational sciences and neuroscience. The result may be useful, on the one hand, as a stimulus for an in-depth study of the new lines of research identified, by researchers on educational technologies, and on the other, for a more informed evidence-based use of audiovisual texts in teaching practices.

scholarly journals Influence of Retail Therapy upon Shoppers Experience in Organized Retailing at Select Retail Malls in Grater Hyderabad

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 3644-3649
Keyword(s):  
Dominant Role ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Shopping Malls ◽  
Normal Functioning ◽  
Movie Theaters ◽  
Impulsive Buying ◽  
Shopping Experience ◽  
Good For ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Brain

We humans live life for attaining happiness by the way of fulfilling our needs wants & desires. We work hard to earn and satisfy all our requirements. We strive to derive a better experience upon our every shopping attempt which we make. Retail therapy in shopping is to improve the shoppers mood or disposition which is seen among people during depression or stress, in normal context it is a small duration-lived habit. Products purchased during period of retail therapy are also referred to as "comfort buys". in shopping experience, human brain apparently releases the chemical known as dopamine, a natural messenger required for the normal functioning of the brain, and it plays dominant role in our ability to experience pleasure and pain. It appears also to have a role in addictive behavior. The most important reason shopping malls are so popular is due to convenience. Which include clothing stores, a food court, movie theaters, etc Shopping might not be good for wallet, but it could be good for health, new research suggests. Walking within the mall between stores, multiplex, food court, gaming zone etc provides better enjoyment experience which ultimately results into shopper’s satisfaction. “Therapy” denotes the favorable impact of shopping experience of shoppers at shopping malls, there are indeed psychological rewards. This article discuses about retail therapy from shoppers’ experience point of view as depending upon the experience, knowledge & situation the shoppers intend to make compulsive or impulsive buying which impacts behavior of shopper & emotions which are been motivated by desire to fulfill material needs and wants.

scholarly journals New approaches to peer review in the age of online, open-access publishing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie J Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Electronic Publishing ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Open Access Publishing ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
Peer Community

“Electronic publishing” can mean a variety of things, but for the dissemination of scientific results, there are two major categories: 1) materials that have not gone through peer-review, such as community-database entries, presentations from conferences, and manuscripts posted on preprint servers; and 2) materials that have gone through peer-review and are subsequently posted online. In the latter case, the process of peer-review is usually managed by a body of editors associated with a journal. If a manuscript is published by such a journal, the reader can be assured that it went through the peer-review process successfully. In the last decade or so, journals have started to abandon printed issues of peer-reviewed articles and are now publishing exclusively online; there have also been a proliferation of new online-only journals. Concurrently, there has been a shift towards open-access publishing, which, while making scientific studies more broadly available, has also transferred the financial burden from the reader or subscriber to the authors and funding agencies. Lastly, there has been a shift in how manuscripts on preprint servers are viewed, and it is increasingly common in many scientific fields for authors to post a finalized manuscript to a preprint server prior to submission to a journal. This talk will describe the “Peer Community In” (PCI) Project, which is a non-profit organization that was established in response to these major shifts in scientific publishing. The PCI Project is comprised of communities of researchers working in different fields (including paleontology), who peer review and recommend research articles publicly available on preprint servers. The goal is to promote rigorous scientific study by providing an alternative to traditional avenues for peer-reviewed publishing.

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