Research funding randomly allocated? A survey of scientists’ views on peer review and lottery

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OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)365–377
Seitenumfang13
FachzeitschriftScience and Public Policy
Jahrgang49
Ausgabenummer3
Frühes Online-Datum31 Dez. 2021
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Juni 2022

Abstract

The bold idea of random grant allocation is heatedly discussed as an alternative to peer review. The debate centers on advantages and disadvantages of the established measures to control scientific quality, compared to funding by chance. Recently, studies also investigated acceptance of lotteries in the scientific field. However, they provide only inconclusive findings due to their restricted scope. This paper examines scientists' views on current funding conditions and the idea of random grant distribution. An online survey of PhD holders reveals that most participants are against pure randomness, although they would try random elements if such procedures were combined with peer review. Moreover, while fewer established and recognized scientists differ in their assessments of peer review and expectancies on lotteries' impact, they hardly vary in their positions on random elements. Funding organizations therefore should be encouraged to further experiment with, and closely examine, practiced lotteries.

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Research funding randomly allocated? A survey of scientists’ views on peer review and lottery. / Philipps, Axel.
in: Science and Public Policy, Jahrgang 49, Nr. 3, 06.2022, S. 365–377.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Philipps A. Research funding randomly allocated? A survey of scientists’ views on peer review and lottery. Science and Public Policy. 2022 Jun;49(3):365–377. Epub 2021 Dez 31. doi: 10.1093/scipol/scab084
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