Funding And Bureaucracy, Not Access To Journals, Are Chief Obstacles To Scientific Productivity

ScienceDaily: Funding And Bureaucracy, Not Access To Journals, Are Chief Obstacles To Scientific Productivity The single most important issue obstructing the productivity of biomedical scientists today is the culture of research funding. This finding challenges the belief of some that the lack of "open access" to journal content is a major barrier to scientific productivity.A survey of 883 biomedical scientists -- in Europe and North America - commissioned by the Publishing Research Consortium found that aside from lack of resources, a 'stop-go' funding culture prohibits scientists from initiating new ideas, choosing research projects that contrast with funders' priorities, and recruiting and retaining qualified staff.