ABSTRACT
Since the 18th-century Enlightenment, successive generations of scientists across disciplines have been using similar data, tools and methodologies to develop a succession of mutually exclusive explanations or theories. The current research model is clearly deficient and needs total overhaul. Research processes and behaviour need to change decisively, especially their social framework.
This chapter sets out workable solutions that comprise a strategy that deliberately enhances knowledge of the future through changes to institutional structures that ensure research resources are subject to prudent governance and meet clear measures of performance. These changes fall into three areas. The first is to improve methodology by promoting greater heterodoxy and interdisciplinary perspective, and emphasising field and qualitative research. A second change stems from the absence of a market for research which has promoted subjective criteria for its assessment that shelter research from reality. The solution is greater use of economic levers to promote research innovation and productivity. The third change is to scientific publishing, which is important because publications are the currency of researchers.
The aim is to make research conduct and publication more commercially focussed and give them an effective nexus to real-world conditions.
