ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT When considering the numerous events that have prohibited the development of scientific projects or caused destruction of outcrops, it is clear that there is rapidly increasing necessity to define a Brazilian Code of Conduct for geological fieldwork. In general, this destruction is attributed to lack of knowledge as to the relevance of geological sites. The aim of this Code of Conduct is to guide geologists to adopt good practices during geoscience activities. Proposed guidelines are based on Codes of Conduct from other countries, mainly Scotland and England, on situations described in papers and on the personal experience of the authors. In this paper 29 points are suggested, in order to guarantee that fieldwork is conducted in accordance with geoethics, geoconservation and sustainability values. The proposal is structured in three parts: (1) Behavior and practices in respect to local traditions and providing information to the population; (2) Measures to minimize degradation on outcrops; and (3) Safety. The proposal seeks to broaden the debate on the need for responsible behavior during fieldwork, in order to promote respect for geodiversity. Through this code, Brazilian geoscientists will be able to contribute to the conservation of geological heritage and of outcrops with special educational relevance.
ABSTRACT
Bibliometric parameters have been used in order to evaluate a scientist's performance. The h-index has been gradually accepted as the most adequate parameter for this purpose. To have an idea of this index among Brazilian scientists, we performed an analysis of this parameter for the full members of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The h-index of 402 members listed in 10 distinct categories by the BAS was determined, cross-checked with the curriculum vitae of each of them listed at the Plataforma Lattes database (CVL) and compared with each other. Despite the large production, mostly in journals without impact factor, the h-indexes among the BAS members are comparatively low and show a large variation in all of the 10 categories, particularly in Biomedical and Physical sciences. The highest average of h-index values was found in Biomedical, Health and Chemical sciences; the lowest values were found in Human sciences where this index is meaningless. Several problems due to the trend that new and "fresh" publications need be constantly produced (the "bakery-effect") are discussed. This study points to the need of developing countries such as Brazil to invest in national scientific journals in order to make them gradually part of the mainstream journals. This would have a positive effect on bibliometric parameters of Brazilian researchers, including the h-index.
Índices bibliométricos estão sendo utilizados como ferramentas na avaliação do desempenho de cientistas, sendo o índice h o mais empregado atualmente. Com o propósito de tecer considerações sobre o índice h de cientistas brasileiros, foi realizada uma análise do mesmo entre os membros titulares da Academia Brasileira de Ciências (ABC). Foram calculados os valores do índice h para os 402 membros titulares separados nas 10 áreas do conhecimento distintas listadas pela ABC. Concomitantemente os trabalhos de cada pesquisador foram conferidos através da comparação com os currículos apresentados na Plataforma Lattes. Apesar da grande produção científica, a maioria em jornais sem fator de impacto, os índices h dos membros da ABC demonstram uma grande variação em todas as 10 áreas, particularmente nas Ciências Biomédicas e Físicas. As maiores médias do índice h foram encontradas nas Ciências Biomédicas, da Saúde e Químicas; os menores valores estão nas Ciências Humanas, onde este índice não reflete a produção dos respectivos pesquisadores, revelando-se inútil nesse caso. Devido a uma pressão por contínua publicação (the bakery-effect), diversos problemas relacionados são discutidos. A conclusão principal deste estudo corrobora a necessidade de países em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil, investirem em periódicos científicos nacionais, possibilitando a incorporação gradual dos mesmos nas principais listagens dos periódicos com fator de impacto, causando um efeito positivo sobre os índices dos pesquisadores atuantes no país.