“The Hardest Task”—Peer Review and the Evaluation of Technological Activities.

Autor/inn/en	Vasen, Federico; Sierra Pereiro, Miguel
Titel	“The Hardest Task”—Peer Review and the Evaluation of Technological Activities.
Quelle	In: Minerva, (2022) 3, S.375-395Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0026-4695
DOI	10.1007/s11024-022-09461-0
Schlagwörter	Research evaluation; Technological outputs; Peer review; National system of researchers; Latin America; Uruguay
Abstract	Abstract Technology development and innovation are fundamentally different from scientific research. However, in many circumstances, they are evaluated jointly and by the same processes. In these cases, peer review—the most usual procedure for evaluating research—is also applied to the evaluation of technological products and innovation activities. This can lead to unfair results and end up discouraging the involvement of researchers in these fields. This paper analyzes the evaluation processes in Uruguay's National System of Researchers. In this system, all members' activities, both scientific and technological, are evaluated by peer committees. Based on documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews, the difficulties faced by evaluators in assessing technology products are explored. The article highlights the persistence of a linear conception of the link between science and technology and describes the obstacles to assimilate the particularities of technological activities. Refereed publications are presented as the only uncontested product. Other types of output are reviewed with suspicion. This study emphasizes the need for specific mechanisms to evaluate technological production within academic careers.
Erfasst von	OLC
Update	2023/2/05