While the ravaging ramifications of COVID-19 were still unfolding bringing the world to a standstill, the research and scholarly publishing industry ran ceaselessly. Given the current situation, a likely scenario for the near future of scientific publishing is the coexistence of classical publications and Data Services for scientific data. Furthermore, the need for the identification of future research trends will enable researchers to work toward a mutual goal of research and scientific growth across disciplines.
No one can predict the future! However, it’s clear that there are certain themes, or drivers, that will bring about change. Furthermore, much will depend on how they combine and the speed at which they develop. To acknowledge the profound changes that the research ecosystem is undergoing, Enago brings its virtual conference that highlights the future trends of research and publishing, and the aspects that will augment it. Being held on November 18, 2021, See the Future is a one of a kind researcher conference, with yesteryear’s Nobel Laureate Professor Randy Schekman as the keynote speaker. The second edition of this intellectually stimulating virtual conference aims to focus on the vital aspects of research publication with its exclusively curated sessions by eminent researchers across the globe.
Future of Research: Will it Surge or Sink?
Although technologies, policies, and the international environment are changing the global research landscape, several researchers strive to produce extensively diverse forms of outputs in the future. Right from journal articles to conference contributions, researchers’ determination to add to the growth of scientific literature continues to be a dominant source of knowledge output. Furthermore, despite the advent of pre-prints and rapid publication practices in the name of competitiveness, peer review is certain to remain the principal method for research assessment in the publishing industry.
As new technologies approach scientific research and publication industry, it supports its implementation in the science communications landscape. Furthermore, the unrestricted sharing of research outputs is increasingly seen as critical for scientific progress. A researcher’s ability to access and build upon pertinent knowledge has evolved; right from elementary access to published manuscripts and research reports. Their capability of accessing different outputs produced throughout the research lifecycle. This includes addition of digital data files to the scientific literature for advances in the future.
Despite these profuse transformations, there are several factors hindering the growth of research. Beginning with the advances in technology to defining research funding pressures, the uncertainty in research support is a major setback. Nevertheless, the political uncertainty and population shifts are secondary factors that obstruct a paradigm shifting transformation in research and publication.
See the Future of Research: A Calculated Risk
While the above mentioned factors can’t be denied, they are negotiable for the growth that we speak of. Conduction of research, its documentation, and then publication does not just add to the knowledge. It also has an impact on its socio-economic stature. Thus, rather than focusing on the research topics, we must focus on how the research will be created and exchanged.
According to a study conducted by Elsevier, they determined three factors that have the potential to create a monumental change in the future of research:
- Brave Open World: The rise of open science
- Tech Titans: Growing influence of technology
- East Ascendance: Impactful role of the East, especially China.
The Future Directions of Research!
As the future research directions continue to improve in software and algorithms, there are some challenging problems that require solutions. One should determine the most effective features and methods that have robust and indispensable properties. Furthermore, future directions in research should investigate the potential use and effect of computer technology.
Another most important future direction largely depends on organizational needs and objectives, vulnerabilities, technological innovations, etc. All these aspects need to be analyzed and evaluated for an exponential growth of research in future.
Reflecting on the topic, what have we understood? While there’s scope of research in future, the best way to influence it is by creating and evaluating it. Let us know how you envision the research landscape in over 10 years from now? Has the research horizon seen a dramatic change yet? Is it capable of having one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
