The perverse effects of competition on scientists' work and relationships Sci Eng Ethics Journal Article uri icon
Overview
abstract
  • Competition among scientists for funding, positions and prestige, among other things, is often seen as a salutary driving force in U.S. science. Its effects on scientists, their work and their relationships are seldom considered. Focus-group discussions with 51 mid- and early-career scientists, on which this study is based, reveal a dark side of competition in science. According to these scientists, competition contributes to strategic game-playing in science, a decline in free and open sharing of information and methods, sabotage of others' ability to use one's work, interference with peer-review processes, deformation of relationships, and careless or questionable research conduct. When competition is pervasive, such effects may jeopardize the progress, efficiency and integrity of science.

  • publication date
  • 2007
  • Research
    keywords
  • Behavior
  • Ethics
  • Research Support
  • Additional Document Info
    volume
  • 13
  • issue
  • 4