A Theoretical Discussion on the State of Scientific Research and Publishing: Critical Reflections and New Directions

The present article raises a counterpoint to rethink about the state of scientific research amidst increasing pressure of academic publishing, growing disenchantment with scientific methods, and the issue of replicability of research findings around the world. The article discusses the major issues that upset the present-day academic publishing, along with highlighting the ingredients of scientific research. With increasing commercialization of education and human capital issues in science, linking of research output with academic hiring, institutional ranking, and funding has been discussed with potential implications. Based on previous researches, the current paper offers a matrix of researcher’s dilemma to understand the issue of career vs. knowledge orientation among researchers within the temporal choice of the dissemination of scientific ideas. The article also presents a roadmap for developing research orientation among kids with a vision of developing a culture of research since an early age and questions if the research has the potential to emerge as “the fifth R” after reading, writing, arithmetic, and programming.