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What is a scientific article? A principal-agent explanation
1Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Spain.
Social Studies of Science
|August 28, 2020
Summary
This paper defines the scientific article as a key unit in a payment system, solving issues in evaluating and paying researchers fairly. It addresses information gaps between the public and scientists for better science evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Bibliometrics
- Science and Technology Studies
- Economics of Science
Background:
- The scientific article is central to scientific communication.
- Evaluating scientific contributions poses challenges due to information asymmetry.
- Existing frameworks for understanding research articles are incomplete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel definition of the scientific article.
- To frame the scientific article within a principal-agent economic model.
- To offer a solution for fair evaluation and compensation of scientists.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis extending previous work on research articles.
- Application of principal-agent theory to scientific publishing.
- Analysis of publications as attestations to science patrons.
Main Results:
- The scientific article is conceptualized as the primary unit in a piece-rate payment system for research.
- This framework addresses the problem of fairly evaluating and paying scientists.
- It provides a mechanism to overcome information asymmetries in science evaluation.
Conclusions:
- A principal-agent perspective offers a robust understanding of the scientific article's role.
- This model facilitates fairer evaluation and compensation of scientific work.
- The scientific article functions as a crucial mechanism for science patrons to assess research output.
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