[okfn-discuss] Open Participatory Research

Thu Jul 17 17:09:17 UTC 2008

Rufus Pollock wrote:
> This sounds like a great initiative. Looking at the wiki I was 
> particularly struck by your mention of 'Open Peer Review'. This is 
> something I've recently been thinking about quite a bit in the context 
> of an economics paper I'm writing with an academic colleague on the 
> subject of efficient dissemination of scholarly information. This is 
> still at an early stage  but the basic ideas in it are set out in the 
> introduction a portion of which I include below (for those who prefer 
> things with a url I've just posted online at [1])

I completely agree, the possibilities of modern technology (such as the 
Web, social networks, semantic technologies) are by far not yet 
exhausted in the scientific world. A crucial aspect of peer-review and 
filtering is also the reward dimension. Researchers whose work pass a 
thorough review process and are accepted at a journal or conference with 
much filtering (aka low acceptance rate) are rewarded with a prestigious 
publication, which beautifies the CV and the track record. An open peer 
review would have to provide a similar reward mechanism.

Within our ParticipatoryResearch concept there will still be heavy 
filtering, since grant money is limited as opposed to shelf space on the 
Web. BTW: Looks like first discussions are currently starting within the 
EU how FP8 will be tailored - I sent out information and pointers to 
<http://wiki.cofundos.org> to some people there, but the matter will be 
urged a little more if we could get some more support statements at:

<http://wiki.cofundos.org/Supporters>

I would be very thankful if you would add yourself or invite your 
friends and colleagues to do so too.

Cheers,

Sören