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A Primer on How (Not) to Normalize
Citation metrics are very influential and their normalization is a contentious issue. Each normalization approach has advantages and disadvantages that need to be understood for proper use of these metrics.
Why academics are losing relevance in society – and how to stop it
Academics are getting out of touch with the rest of society. This helps explains the sorry state of our public discourse on science.
Why we have set publisher requirements
Robert Kiley, our Head of Digital Services, explains why Wellcome has introduced a set of publisher requirements for open access publications.
Reforming migration policy on international students
The government's policy focus on reducing net migration is causing unnecessary harm to the UK s international education sector one of the UK s biggest services exports This report asks how through better informed policy the UK can attract more students in a growing and increasingly competitive global marketplace
Commission Mandates Open Data From January 2017
A recent statement from Carlos Moedas told us that “as of the Work Programme 2017, the current Open Research Data Pilot will be extended to cover all thematic areas of Horizon 2020, making open research data the default setting. This means that as of January 1st 2017, all funded proposals will need to make all of the data and digital research outputs they generate openly available.
66 out of the 100 most cited papers are paywalled
The web was built specifically to share research papers amongst scientists. Despite this being the first goal of the modern web, most research is still published behind a paywall. We have recently highlighted famous math papers that reside behind a pa
Survey on challenges faced by young scientists
Weâre interested in hearing about the challenges faced by early-career scientists worldwide, especially if you've recently started your own lab, are struggling to maintain a lab, or have left research. We want to hear your stories. Your answers may feature in articles published by Nature's news team.
Female Scientists Turn to Data to Fight Lack of Representation on Panels
One day in August 2015, the Princeton University neuroscientist Yael Niv saw an email notice of a conference on deep brain stimulation, a hot topic in treatment for depression and other mental disorders. Dr. Niv noticed that none of the 21 scientists scheduled to speak were women.This was not the first time Dr. Niv had lamented a skewed lineup.
London's biomedical behemoth opens its doors
This week, the first of 1500 researchers and support staff begin moving into the largest biomedical research building in Europe, the £650 million Francis Crick Institute in London.
The long march to open science
Many researchers are positive about the new, burgeoning science culture, but they still hesitate to enter into an open exchange of knowledge. There are many reasons why – such as a lack of knowledge about data management and the fear of intellectual property theft.
The science–policy interface
How do we ensure the effective role of science in public policy-making? This well-worn, long-standing question reflects the fact that the answer is not simple. Later this month in Brussels, scientists and policy-makers will convene at the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) Forum to consider the most promising ways forward.
Professor turns to novel writing as his research ‘had no impact’
Welfare state expert Peter Taylor-Gooby cheerfully admits his research has had no real-world influence – but hopes a book might.
Elsevier’s New Patent for Online Peer Review Throws a Scare Into Open-Source Advocates
Elsevier’s New Patent for Online Peer Review Throws a Scare Into Open-Source Advocates
The giant journal company said it was merely protecting its own proprietary system. But a wave of critics on social media said they were suspicious of its motives.
Elsevier Awarded U.S. Patent For “Online Peer Review System and Method”
A few hours ago, 50 months after Elsevier submitted a patent application for an “Online peer review system and method” the patent was awarded to the company.
Stop ignoring misconduct
Efforts to reduce irreproducibility in research must also tackle the temptation to cheat.
Good Enough Practices in Scientific Computing
We present a set of computing tools and techniques that every researcher can and should adopt. These recommendations synthesize inspiration from our own work, from the experiences of the thousands of people who have taken part in Software Carpentry and Data Carpentry workshops over the past six years, and from a variety of other guides. Unlike some other guides, our recommendations are aimed specifically at people who are new to research computing.
Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies
Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies
One of the pioneers in developing fluorescent proteins for biological studies was 64 years old.
How has publishing changed in the last 20 years?
It is useful to consider the trajectory of both scientific and literary publishing on the grid-group plane defined by Mary Douglas which arranges attitudes along two axes: one ranging from the hierarchical to the egalitarian, and the other spanning individualistic to communitarian. I would contend that, in both cases, there has been a move from the hierarchical/communitarian quadrant towards the egalitarian/individualistic zone.
We Scientists Shape Science
Science has become a lot bigger and faster. Join us now to make it better @ the congress on 26 / 27 january 2017, Berne.
We should reward peer reviewers. But how?
We should reward peer reviewers. But how?
Peer review is a thankless task, but journals have been experimenting with accolades and cash incentives for scientists who serve as peer reviewers.
The value of the open science movement
Research creates its own problems. Articles may be withdrawn because of irregularities, results can be impossible to reproduce, methods are often non-standardised, and publications may not be accessible. The search is now on for solutions.
Science, research and innovation performance of the EU
A contribution to the open innovation, open science, open to the world agenda 2016.
Open Access law adopted
In France, the final text of a new law on Open Access has been adopted on June 29, 2016.