“Performance,” “Excellence,” and Scientific Creation
Karpik, Lucien
“Performance,” “Excellence,” and Scientific Creation - 2012.
37
The analysis of the 2006 French public reform of research leads one to distinguish between two levels of action: a general discourse and policies designed for specific scientific disciplines. The discourse links researchers improved performance to intensified inter-individual competition, an argument borrowed from neoclassical economic theory, which, thus, becomes the foundation for new research policy. But this theory is not relevant to research results and actors and, therefore, the justification is merely an illusion. Comparing policies applied to economics and sociology brings to light two different worlds of indicators and rankings, two modes of resource distribution (bonuses, career, research funding), and two sets of effects. This situation is due to the fact that disciplines apply two different criteria of scientific excellence. Both disciplines, however, lack the means for preventing harmful unexpected consequences. One may question the true objective of this research reform.
“Performance,” “Excellence,” and Scientific Creation - 2012.
37
The analysis of the 2006 French public reform of research leads one to distinguish between two levels of action: a general discourse and policies designed for specific scientific disciplines. The discourse links researchers improved performance to intensified inter-individual competition, an argument borrowed from neoclassical economic theory, which, thus, becomes the foundation for new research policy. But this theory is not relevant to research results and actors and, therefore, the justification is merely an illusion. Comparing policies applied to economics and sociology brings to light two different worlds of indicators and rankings, two modes of resource distribution (bonuses, career, research funding), and two sets of effects. This situation is due to the fact that disciplines apply two different criteria of scientific excellence. Both disciplines, however, lack the means for preventing harmful unexpected consequences. One may question the true objective of this research reform.
Réseaux sociaux