scholarly journals How to find the right postdoctoral position for you

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. e6
Author(s):  
Dominic M. D. Tran ◽  
Aaron Veldre
Keyword(s):  
Research Output ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Strong Focus ◽  
Postdoctoral Position ◽  
Academic Job Market ◽  
The Right ◽  
Quality Of Research

The increasingly competitive academic job market has forced PhD graduates in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields to maximize their research output and secure grant funding during the early postdoctoral period of their careers. In the present article, based on a Q&A session presented at a research retreat (Brain and Behaviour Lab, University of Sydney) in February 2018, we draw on our firsthand experiences of navigating the transition from graduate student to postdoc. We offer practical advice to students who may be nearing the end of their PhDs and planning their first steps toward an academic career. Although the postdoc experience is varied, it is important for early-career researchers to make optimal choices to increase their chances of securing a continuing academic position. Ultimately, the goal of a postdoctoral position should be to develop all the facets of an academic career, but with a strong focus on the quantity and quality of research outputs.

scholarly journals What senior academics can do to support reproducible and open research: a short, three-step guide

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Kowalczyk ◽  
Alexandra Lautarescu ◽  
Elisabet Blok ◽  
Lorenza Dall'Aglio ◽  
Samuel James Westwood
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Career Stages ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Open Research ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Grassroots Initiatives ◽  
Hiring Criteria ◽  
Quality Of Research

Increasingly, policies are being introduced to reward and recognise open research practices, while the adoption of such practices into research routines is being facilitated by many grassroots initiatives. However, despite this widespread endorsement and support, open research is yet to be widely adopted, with early career researchers being the notable exception. For open research to become the norm, initiatives should engage academics from all career stages, particularly senior academics (namely senior lecturers, readers, professors) given their routine involvement in determining the quality of research. Senior academics, however, face unique challenges in implementing policy change and supporting grassroots initiatives. Given that - like all researchers - senior academics are in part motivated by self-interest, this paper lays out three feasible steps that senior academics can take to improve the quality and productivity of their research, that also serve to engender open research. These steps include a) change hiring criteria, b) change how scholarly outputs are credited, and c) change to funding and publishing with open research. The guidance we provide is accompanied by live, crowd-sourced material for further reading.

scholarly journals Survey of Australian STEMM Early Career Researchers: job insecurity and questionable research practices are major structural concerns

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Christian ◽  
Carolyn Johnstone ◽  
Jo-ann Larkins ◽  
Wendy Wright ◽  
Michael R. Doran
Keyword(s):  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Intention To Leave ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Questionable Research Practices ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Engineering Mathematics ◽  
Quality Of Research

AbstractWe sought to understand the pressures on Early Career Researchers (ECR) in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, & Medicine (STEMM) disciplines, collecting data from 658 ECRs working in Australia. Respondents indicated a “love of science”, but most also indicated an intention to leave their position. Decisions were primarily motivated by job insecurity (52%), while grievances included poor supervision (60%), bullying or harassment (34%), inequitable hiring practices (39%) and poor support for families (9.6%). A concerning rate of “questionable research practices” by colleagues (34.1% to 41.1%) was reported to have impacted ECR career advancement. Our study links recent reports that characterise the health of the research industry, providing direct insight from ECRs on job insecurity, workplace culture challenges, and the logical rise of questionable research practices. Internationally, nationally and institutionally the research community needs to improve job security (care for our people) and the quality of research data (our product).

Evaluating quality of science in CGIAR research programs: Use of bibliometrics

2021 ◽  
pp. 003072702110242
Author(s):  
Max Rünzel ◽  
Paolo Sarfatti ◽  
Svetlana Negroustoueva
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Bibliometric Indicators ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Practical Utilization ◽  
Research Programs ◽  
First Time ◽  
Quality Of Research

When evaluating Quality of Science (QoS) in the context of development initiatives, it is essential to define adequate criteria. The objective of this perspective paper is to show how altmetric and bibliometric indicators have been used to support the evaluation of QoS in the 2020 Review of the Phase 2-CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs, 2017–2022), where, for the first time, the Quality of Research for Development (QoR4D) frame of reference has been utilized across the entire CGIAR CRP portfolio. Overall, the CRP review showed a significant output of scientific publications during the period 2017–2020, with 4,872 articles, 220,101 references, and 7.1 citations per article. Additionally, wider interest in scientific publications is demonstrated by good to high altmetrics, with average attention scores ranging from 70.8 to 806.9 with an average of 425.1. The use of selected bibliometrics was shown to be an adequate tool, for use together with other qualitative indicators to evaluate the QoS in the 12 CRPs. The CRP review process clearly demonstrated that standardized, harmonized and consistent data on research output is paramount to provide high-quality quantitative instruments and should be a priority throughout the transition toward One CGIAR. Therefore, we conclude that the QoR4D framework should be augmented by standardized bibliometric indicators embedded in measurement frameworks within the new One CGIAR. Finally, its practical utilization in monitoring and evaluation should be supported with clear guidelines.

scholarly journals Sexual violence during research: How the unpredictability of fieldwork and the right to risk collide with academic bureaucracy and expectations

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa T Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Competitive Disadvantage ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Research Endeavour

In a contradictory fashion, researchers, their departments and universities simultaneously recognize the unpredictability of fieldwork experiences and outcomes and help establish a bureaucratic system of planning every component of their research. Ethnographic unpredictability and its consequences are a fact of fieldwork and it is essential that researchers and institutions are prepared to view these as part of interpretable data, to learn from them and not mask them. This article examines ethnographic unpredictability through the lens of sexual violence which I experienced during my doctoral fieldwork in Sierra Leone. I show how I redirected my research and renegotiated my position as an academic. I discuss the culture of risk and analyse the influence of neoliberalism on the university. I describe how ‘market logic’ conceptualizes unpredictability as competitive disadvantage. I show the impact that the imaginary ‘perfect academic’ has on early career researchers and the complicity of mainstream academic (re-)presentation in nourishing the image of the ‘in-control academic’ through muting personal field experiences and vulnerabilities and silencing unpredictable occurrences in academic writing. I conclude with recommendations on how personal situatedness, vulnerabilities, and transformations can be approached as factors in every research endeavour which must not pose threats to an institution’s competitive advantage.

Social Science Research in India

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Reference Database ◽  
Data Infrastructure ◽  
Quality Of Research

Social science research (SSR) has a vital role in enriching societies, by generating scientific knowledge that brings insights—even enlightenment—in understanding the dynamics of human behaviour and development. For social sciences to realize their potential in shaping public policy, it is imperative that the research ecosystem is dynamic and vibrant; the institutions governing it are robust and effective; and those producing quality research are strong and well governed. This volume elaborates on various dimensions of SSR in India, presenting a strong case for designing a comprehensive national social science policy which can meaningfully strengthen and promote a research ecosystem for improved public policymaking in the country. Addressing issues like lack of funding, availability of data, infrastructure, and quality of research output, it will serve as a national benchmark and reference database for social sciences in India.

OpenCon2014 in Washington DC, November 2014. Early Career Researchers and Open Access Advocacy

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-16
Author(s):  
Matt Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Experience Levels ◽  
The Right ◽  
Academic Resources

Purpose – This paper aims to give an overview of OpenCon 2014, organized by the Right to Research Coalition, SPARC (The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) and an organizing committee of students and early career researchers from around the world that took place between the 14th and 17th of November 2014 in Washington DC. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative approach was used to describe events. Findings – OpenCon 2014 is an exciting new conference that targets early career librarians and researchers who are involved with and/or interested in aspects of the open-access movement. It is attempting to galvanize the upcoming generation of scholars to demand more of traditional publishing models by bringing together a selective group that spans diverse interests and experience levels. Originality/value – This report outlines the author's takeaways and opinions concerning the events of the conference, as well as identifies some of the themes and issues that were relevant to librarians in research institutions.

scholarly journals Research Trends and Perspectives on Domestic Tourism in Kenya: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10(1) (10(1)) ◽  
pp. 288-301
Author(s):  
Peter Onyonje Osiako ◽  
Viktória Szente
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Domestic Tourism ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Quality Of Research ◽  
Different Parts ◽  
Unpublished Works

The quantity and quality of research output available on the subject of domestic tourism in Kenya is yet to be sufficiently documented. This review evaluates trends in the studies carried out on this subject and establishes perspectives revealed in these studies' findings. Methodologically, this is a conceptual review of integrative nature in which the reviewer summarized the findings of other studies conducted on domestic tourism in different parts of Kenya. Both published and unpublished works addressing domestic tourism in Kenya, and authored in the English language from January 1990 to August 2020 have been considered in the review. The reviewer used keywords to search relevant databases, arriving at thirty two pieces of work that were reviewed. The analysis focuses on themes covered by previous studies, methodologies used, and perspectives revealed in key findings. The review established a gap in existing literature in terms of quantity, quality, and scope, as discussed in the document. Recommendations are highlighted on ways to improve future research on domestic tourism in Kenya. This review will inform future approaches to research on domestic tourism in Kenya, for better policies and practice.

scholarly journals Preparatory education for cancer patients undergoing surgery: A systematic review of volume and quality of research output over time

2015 ◽  
Vol 98 (12) ◽  
pp. 1540-1549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Waller ◽  
Kristy Forshaw ◽  
Jamie Bryant ◽  
Mariko Carey ◽  
Allison Boyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Quality Of Research ◽  
Over Time

scholarly journals Open Science Saves Lives: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lonni Besançon ◽  
Nathan Peiffer-Smadja ◽  
Corentin Segalas ◽  
Haiting Jiang ◽  
Paola Masuzzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Output ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Scientific Process ◽  
Science Practices ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Research Communities ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Quality Of Research

AbstractIn the last decade Open Science principles have been successfully advocated for and are being slowly adopted in different research communities. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic many publishers and researchers have sped up their adoption of Open Science practices, sometimes embracing them fully and sometimes partially or in a sub-optimal manner. In this article, we express concerns about the violation of some of the Open Science principles and its potential impact on the quality of research output. We provide evidence of the misuses of these principles at different stages of the scientific process. We call for a wider adoption of Open Science practices in the hope that this work will encourage a broader endorsement of Open Science principles and serve as a reminder that science should always be a rigorous process, reliable and transparent, especially in the context of a pandemic where research findings are being translated into practice even more rapidly. We provide all data and scripts at https://osf.io/renxy/.

scholarly journals Towards inclusive funding practices for early career researchers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte M de Winde ◽  
Sarvenaz Sarabipour ◽  
Hugo Carignano ◽  
sejal davla ◽  
david eccles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Funding ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
New Principal ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Global Representation ◽  
Funding Success

Securing research funding is a challenge faced by most scientists in academic institutions worldwide. Funding success rates for all career stages are low, but the burden falls most heavily on early career researchers (ECRs) - young investigators in training and new principal investigators - who have a shorter track record and are dependent on funding to establish their academic career. The low number of career development awards and the lack of sustained research funding results in the loss of ECR talent in academia. Several steps in the current funding process, from grant conditions to the review process, play significant roles in the distribution of funds. Furthermore, there is an imbalance among certain research disciplines and labs of influential researchers that receive more funding. As a group of ECRs with global representation, we examined funding practices, barriers, facilitators, and alternatives to the current funding systems to diversify risk or award grants on a partly random basis. Based on our discussions, research, and collective opinions, we detail recommendations for funding agencies and grant reviewers to improve ECR funding prospects worldwide and promote a fairer and more inclusive funding landscape for ECRs.

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