Rethink funding Researchers propose a new way to restructure grant allocation, promoting inclusivity, innovation, and cost reduction. LÜBECK UNIVERSITY, Germany – The allocation process of funding to researchers is far from optimal. A recent project of the Open Science Initiative at the University of Lübeck (Germany) has put forward a new proposal to challenge and […]
Rethink funding by putting the lottery first Read More »
Abstract The Cuckoo-index (c-index) is a new index that attempts to measure both the effectivity and the savviness of a scientist. The index is based on the number of publications of the scientist as author on original research manuscript without contributing to them in any way. In a time of increasingly global competition for resources
The c-index as a measure of a scientist’s efficiency and assertiveness Read More »
Abstract The use of the journal impact factor (JIF) as a measure for the quality of individual manuscripts and the merits of scientists has faced significant criticism in recent years. We add to the current criticism in arguing that such an application of the JIF in policy and decision making in academia is based on
The impact factor fallacy Read More »
Abstract The incentive structure of a scientist’s life is increasingly mimicking economic principles. While intensely criticized, the journal impact factor (JIF) has taken a role as the new currency for scientists. Successful goal-directed behavior in academia thus requires knowledge about the JIF. Using functional neuroimaging we examined how the JIF, as a powerful incentive in
Journal impact factor shapes scientists’ reward signal in the prospect of publication Read More »
Abstract The aim of this Hypothesis and Theory is to question the recently increasing use of the “race” concept in contemporary genetic, psychiatric, neuroscience as well as social studies. We discuss “race” and related terms used to assign individuals to distinct groups and caution that also concepts such as “ethnicity” or “culture” unduly neglect diversity.
The uncanny return of the race concept Read More »
Abstract We are pleased that the concerns raised about cultural neuroscience (CN) have initiated a debate. This indicates that there are some issues worth being discussed in the field. Nevertheless we think that the response by Bao and Pöppel (2012) expresses some misinterpretations of the aims pursued by our critical review on CN studies (Martínez
On the role of critique for science: a reply to Bao and Pöppel Read More »
Abstract Within the emerging field of cultural neuroscience (CN) one branch of research focuses on the neural underpinnings of “individualistic/Western” vs. “collectivistic/Eastern” self-views. These studies uncritically adopt essentialist assumptions from classic cross-cultural research, mainly following the tradition of Markus and Kitayama (1991), into the domain of functional neuroimaging. In this perspective article we analyze recent
Essentializing the binary self: Individualism and collectivism in cultural neuroscience Read More »
Abstract Ten years ago, neuroscientists began to study cultural phenomena by using functional MRI. Since then the number of publications in this field, termed cultural neuroscience (CN), has tremendously increased. In these studies, particular concepts of culture are implied, but rarely explicitly discussed. We argue that it is necessary to make these concepts a topic
Concerns about cultural neurosciences: A critical analysis Read More »
