Researchers in Argentina: Scientific vocation, publication strategies and time-management tactics

DE PAEPE, JL; REYES, MF; PIAZZA, MV; DI BELLA, CE; GARCÍA-PARISI, PA; STRACCIA, PH

AUSTRAL ECOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2021

1442-9985

We wanted to understand how the competitive scientific system affected researchers in Argentina,whose budget to finance science is noticeably lower than in other countries and historically unstable. The objectivewas to identify factors that influence scientific vocation, main publication strategies and time-managementtactics. A structured survey was designed and circulated online for 6 months (2018/2019). The 684 validresponses were separated per academic stage: PhD students (41%), postdoc fellows (21%) and senior researchers(38%). National science policies (answer frequency = 0.69) and resources/funding availability (0.62) had a negativeinfluence on scientific vocation. The difficulties to access to scholarships/full-time positions (0.48) had a negativeinfluence mainly for younger researchers. Peer interaction activities were selected as positive factors forscientific vocation, for example work-team (0.51), which also stimulated the generation of new ideas together withthe collaboration with other groups (0.76) and conference attendance (0.59). The most frequent publishing strategyto become a full-time researcher was publishing in high impact journals (0.87). However, young researchersmainly chose to make their findings public at conferences (0.57). Time devoted to scientific production was relevant(0.73) and followed by teaching (0.39), although the last was also the least stimulating activity for the generationof new ideas. Three highlights emerge from our results. First, scientific vocation is negatively affected bystructural factors related to the scientific system and positively influenced by peer interaction instances. Second,to publish in high impact journals is the most advisable strategy to become a full-time researcher. Third, the mosttime-demanding activities are not those that most stimulate the generation of ideas. Emerging recommendationsfor National Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry, Universities, and/or research organisms for earlycareerArgentine researchers are as follows: increase national science budget, encourage work-team meetings andstays abroad, keep contact with local communities, stakeholders and decision-makers.