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How Economic Theory and the Netflix Prize Could Make Research Funding More Efficient:
In a paper published Jan. 2 in the journal PLOS Biology, co-authors Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the University of Washington, and Kevin Gross, a professor of statistics at North Carolina State University, use the economic theory of contests to illustrate how this competitive system has made the pursuit of research funding inefficient and unsustainable. They show that alternative methods, such as a partial lottery to award grants, could help get professors back in the lab where they belong.
[...] "When agencies only fund the top 10 or 20 percent, they aren't just separating bad ideas from good ideas," said Bergstrom. "They're also separating good from good."
"This has two effects on the grant-application process," said Gross. "First, professors must apply for more and more grants before they're awarded one. Second, the application process becomes a contest to determine who can write the best grant proposals -- so professors spend more and more time trying to perfect each individual application."
[...] Using the economic theory of contests, Gross and Bergstrom modeled a controversial alternative: awarding grants instead by partial lottery. Under a partial lottery system, funds are awarded by random draw among a pool of high-ranking grants -- the top 40 percent, for example. Since applicants would be aiming to clear a lower bar for a smaller prize -- a shot at the lottery instead of a guaranteed payout for winning proposals -- the contest theory model predicts that applicants would spend less time trying to perfect their applications, Bergstrom said.
[...] But partial lotteries aren't the only viable solution, they say. Funding agencies could also award grants based on merit, such as a professor's past record of excellence in research. But that system also would need mechanisms to help early-career faculty and professors from underrepresented groups obtain grants, Bergstrom said. Hybrid systems are another option, such as a partial lottery for early-career faculty and merit-based grants for later-career faculty.
Journal Reference:
Kevin Gross, Carl T. Bergstrom. Contest models highlight inherent inefficiencies of scientific funding competitions. PLOS Biology, 2019; 17 (1): e3000065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000065
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 04 2019, @06:10AM (1 child)
Real solution? Thunderdome. Two professors enter, one professor leaves.
movie poster tagline: "Will you defend your thesis.... with your life???"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 04 2019, @02:08PM
Early survey results:
"It's a welcome change and less painful overall"
"The 85-year-old department head has been talking about retiring for the past 15 years. Now, he's finally found the motivation to do so."
"At least I don't feel like I'm selling my soul anymore"
"50%! That's five to ten times the current funding rate. I can't wait to get my chance."
"English is my second language, so I support this as less biased. Science should not be judged by your English skills - it should be judged based on your determination."
"Much more streamlined."
"I finally got that bastard back for stealing my ideas."
"The new "knives-for-women" rule has done a much better job at reducing the gender gap."
"I mean, sure, some people are getting hurt, but if you aren't willing to put yourself on the line for the sake of scientific progress, then you're in the wrong profession."
"I've been sacrificing animals for years, so I guess it's only fair that I demonstrate the same willingness."