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Science Technology & Society, Vol. 6, No. 1, 61-95 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/097172180100600104
© 2001 SAGE Publications

Research Performance of Scientists in Academic Institutions in India: An Empirical Exploration

Binay Kumar Pattnaik

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208 016

L. Chaudhury

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208 016

Based on an empirical study conducted among 250 academic scientists of India in chemi cal sciences and technology, this article is an attempt to map out only the objective aspects of the phenomenon under investigation, that is, quality research performance among sci entists. In the process, the article examines several hypotheses pertaining to the relation ship between quality research performance (dependent variable) and its empirical and objective predictors (independent variables). That apart, it also examines the well-known Ortega Hypothesis in the sociology of science. Derived from the body of published litera ture, the following is the set of independent variables being examined: (a) type of institu tion the scientist belonged to; (b) research environment at the centre/department; (c) reward system in science; (d) diversity in research activities; (e) motivation; (f) prestige of the graduate school attended; and (g) total quantity performance. All of the above inde pendent variables have been found to be causing significant variations in the dependent variable—quality research performance. Last, the verification of the Ortega Hypothesis brought in the apparently contradictory observation that many important contributions in science came from non-diligent, average scientists who even produce less in quantity.


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