The current system of assessment of research quality has always created controversy in academia, and it’s true that there are many professors who do not need to publish to be good educators. But overall, it makes sense to perform some research activity to improve your skills and to apply them in the classroom and to keep abreast of the latest developments in science or technology.
http://howtopublishinjournals.com/2014/02/23/im-not-stupid-when-publishing-in-journals/
In some fields, things are changing dynamically. To keep oneself updated it is necessary to carry out some research or at least one should be involved in research activities. This enables one to impart the knowledge gained through research activities whenever and wherever needed. However, academic promotion can be only a motivating factor and should not be the overall aim of an academician. One should consider it to be part of one's duties to produce some high quality research.
In some fields, things are changing dynamically. To keep oneself updated it is necessary to carry out some research or at least one should be involved in research activities. This enables one to impart the knowledge gained through research activities whenever and wherever needed. However, academic promotion can be only a motivating factor and should not be the overall aim of an academician. One should consider it to be part of one's duties to produce some high quality research.
Academia and research go hand-in-hand provided the person who is involved in academia also implements his knowledge practically and publish the findings. Now-a-days it has become a necessity for academicians also to publish certain research papers in their subject area during a calender year in many universities. Although previously it was not an obligation, but now people are more enthusiastic of publishing their work and this is useful for the universities also to raise their academic and research standards. Overall good for the scientific community as a whole.
Very interesting talk. Looking forward to answers from different viewpoints.
How can a teacher ignore research if minor research is the integral part of the curriculum?
At PG and letter level some research work has to be done by students in order to pass the course. The research work is guided by one of their professor. So. automatically research is essential for college and university teachers.
Interesting question. But you need define academia. Which group are you indicating. If its universities lecturers including professors, I think they need to be updated and to publish at least once a year (if I'm not mistaken). If its school teachers, that depends! Teachers who love writing and make time for it will definitely produce something. Might not be publishing yet. And producing something is good enough. Those with other commitments, would rather read for leisure. Just an opinion.
I think overloaded university lecturers will have great difficulty to track the fast growing literature, and therefore should focus on a well defined narrow topic to better handle the literature dealing with that topic. Should university lecturers publish/focus on (fundamental) research dealing with the topic they educate (e.g. Ecology, Biology) or should they publish on how to educate these topics (e.g. Education in Ecology, Education in Biology)?
Dear Rafael,
Your question is a bit “déjà vue” but has its importance.
I think there are current systems of evaluation changing from country to country. I do not call the present phenomenon controversy but it is only a practical recognition and manifestation of different ways of success opportunities. As far as I know there are countries and universities where the demands are different even among people and at a certain “level” these demands do not approach too significantly scientific or research merits.
I am aware that scientific and research activity are vital and indispensable parts of any academic endeavour. Without research experience nobody can be a good teacher at university level working in the biological (natural) sciences.
Perhaps research experience can be obtained via students guided, for instance during practical courses. How many Professors go in the field with their own PhD students?
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