In the realm of scholarly research, the absence of purpose-built databases for the evaluation and measurement of research has led to a significant disconnect in the academic world. This manifesto outlines the critical need for the creation of a new scientific instrument designed to accurately measure, discover, and provide access to global research, freely and comprehensively.
The Limitations of Current Bibliographic Databases:
Existing bibliographic databases suffer from several inherent limitations:
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Selective Indexing: These databases index only a fraction of the scholarly literature worldwide, leaving vast amounts of research unaccounted for.
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Regional Bias: Journals from non-English speaking regions, including Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Global South, are significantly underrepresented. This bias marginalizes valuable research from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
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Field Specificity: Certain fields, particularly the humanities and applied sciences, are often overlooked, further skewing the representation of research.
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Language Barriers: Journals lacking English-language metadata are often excluded, preventing comprehensive and equitable access to knowledge.
Implications and Challenges:
The limitations of current bibliometric databases have far-reaching consequences:
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Inaccurate Ranking: It is nearly impossible to accurately rank universities and countries using these databases, as they do not provide a holistic view of global research contributions.
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Flawed Research Evaluation: Evaluating the performance of researchers based on these databases is fraught with danger, as it may not reflect the true impact of their work.
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Stagnation in the Science of Science: The science of science, which explores the dynamics of research, is hindered by these shortcomings, impeding its growth as a field of research.
A Solution: The Creation of a Purpose-Built Bibliometric Database:
To address these pressing issues, there is a vital need for the development of a new scientific instrument: a purpose-built bibliometric database. This database should be carefully designed and calibrated for the specific task of comprehensive research evaluation and measurement.
Key Aspects of the Proposed Database:
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Equity and Inclusivity: The new database must embrace diversity, equity, and inclusivity, ensuring that research from all regions, languages, and fields is accounted for.
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Accessibility: Publicly-funded knowledge should be accessible by everyone, free of charge. This database would democratize access to research.
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Fostering Global Collaboration: A purpose-built database would foster international collaboration and mutual understanding by removing barriers to entry.
Feasibility and Affordability:
The development of such a database can leverage existing technologies and knowledge. Building this scientific instrument would be a relatively straightforward, rapid, and cost-effective endeavor.
The Path Forward: A Brighter, More Inclusive Future for Science
Investing in the creation of a purpose-built bibliometric database is a step towards a brighter, more inclusive future for science. It will address the inequities and limitations of current systems, providing a comprehensive, accessible, and accurate means of evaluating and measuring scholarly research.
This manifesto calls upon the academic and scientific community, policymakers, and stakeholders to recognize the urgency of this endeavor and support the development of this essential scientific instrument.
Let us embrace diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the world of research and ensure that publicly-funded knowledge is freely accessible to all. Together, we can propel the science of science forward, fostering a global community united by the pursuit of knowledge.
