How an international research programme can contribute to improvements in the research environment: the perspective of doctoral students in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: The Africa Capacity Building Initiative (ACBI) programme aimed to 'strengthen the research and training capacity of higher education institutions and support the development of individual scientists in sub-Saharan Africa through UK-Africa research collaborations' including by funding PhD studentships. We conducted research to understand students' experiences and to see how consortia-based programmes such as ACBI and their own institutions can enhance PhD students' research environment and progress. Methods: In-depth interviews with 35 ACBI-funded PhD students explored their perspectives about how their research and personal development benefitted from belonging to a research consortium. Questionnaires were used to corroborate interview findings. Results: Students recognised that membership of a research consortium provided many benefits compared to less well-resourced peers. By drawing on the programme and consortiums' resources, they were often able to overcome some limitations in their own institution's systems and facilities. Through their consortia they could access a wide range of international expertise and support from mentors and colleagues for their technical and psychosocial needs. Multiple consortia opportunities for engaging with the international scientific community and for networking, gave them confidence and motivation and enhanced their career prospects. Conclusion: Our study and its recommendations highlight how the breadth and diversity of resources available to PhD students through research consortia can be harnessed to facilitate students' progress and to create a supportive and conducive research environment. It also underlines how, through a multi-level approach, consortia can contribute to longer-term improvements in institutional research environments for PhD students.

A scoping review on what constitutes a good research culture.

Background: The crisis in research culture is well documented, covering issues such as a tendency for quantity over quality, unhealthy competitive environments, and assessment based on publications, journal prestige and funding. In response, research institutions need to assess their own practices to promote and advocate for change in the current research ecosystem. The purpose of the scoping review was to explore ' What does the evidence say about the 'problem' with 'poor' research culture, what are the benefits of 'good' research culture, and what does 'good' look like?' Aims: To examine the peer-reviewed and grey literature to explore the interplay between research culture, open research, career paths, recognition and rewards, and equality, diversity, and inclusion, as part of a larger programme of activity for a research institution. Methods: A scoping review was undertaken. Six databases were searched along with grey literature. Eligible literature had relevance to academic research institutions, addressed research culture, and were published between January 2017 to May 2022. Evidence was mapped and themed to specific categories. The search strategy, screening and analysis took place between April-May 2022. Results: 1666 titles and abstracts, and 924 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 253 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. A purposive sampling of relevant websites was drawn from to complement the review, resulting in 102 records included in the review. Key areas for consideration were identified across the four themes of job security, wellbeing and equality of opportunity, teamwork and interdisciplinary, and research quality and accountability. Conclusions: There are opportunities for research institutions to improve their own practice, however institutional solutions cannot act in isolation. Research institutions and research funders need to work together to build a more sustainable and inclusive research culture that is diverse in nature and supports individuals' well-being, career progression and performance.

A influência de aspectos organizacionais das instituições de ensino e pesquisa sobre os custos de transação na formação de parcerias com governos locais / Influencia de los aspectos organizativos de las instituciones educativas y de investigación en los costos de transacción en la formación de alianzas con gobiernos locales / The influence of organizational aspects of educational and research institutions on transaction costs in the formation of partnerships with local governments

Resumo De que forma aspectos organizacionais das instituições de ensino e pesquisa influenciam os custos de transação para efetivação de parcerias com administrações locais? Com base em dados inéditos de um survey online para o conjunto de 95 instituições de ensino, com respostas validadas, o presente artigo se propôs a responder a essa pergunta por meio de um estudo quantitativo buscando verificar a correlação entre características das parcerias firmadas e três aspectos organizacionais selecionados: a descentralização dos campi; existência de estrutura de acolhimento de potenciais parceiros (porta de entrada); e existência de instâncias de aprovação. Com base em proposições relativas aos custos de transação, extraídas da teoria da ação institucional coletiva, foram formuladas hipóteses envolvendo o efeito de cada aspecto organizacional. Os resultados apontaram, ao final, que a descentralização dos campi influencia não apenas na presença como também no número de experiências relevantes de parcerias com municípios. Já a estruturação de "portas de entrada" nas instituições de formação afeta mais especificamente o grau de formalização das parcerias, oferecendo maior segurança jurídica e estabilidade. A presença de instâncias de aprovação para as parcerias negociadas nas instituições de ensino e pesquisa parece não afetar, em sentido positivo ou negativo, a firmação dessas parcerias.

Abstract How do organizational aspects of education and research institutions influence transaction costs in establishing partnerships with local administrations? Based on unpublished data from an online survey of a group of 95 educational institutions this article aims to answer this question through a quantitative study seeking to verify the correlation between the characteristics of the partnerships formed and three selected organizational aspects: decentralization of campuses, the existence of a structure to welcome potential partners (gateway), and the presence of approval bodies. Based on propositions relating to transaction costs extracted from the theory of collective institutional action, hypotheses were formulated involving the effect of each organizational aspect. The results showed that the decentralization of campuses influences not only the presence but also the number of relevant experiences of partnerships with municipalities. Structuring "gateways" in training institutions more precisely affects the degree of formalization of partnerships, offering greater legal security and stability. However, the presence of approval bodies for partnerships negotiated in teaching and research institutions does not seem to affect, either positively or negatively, the establishment of these partnerships.

Resumen ¿Cómo influyen los aspectos organizativos de las instituciones de educación y de investigación en los costos de transacción para establecer alianzas con las administraciones locales? Basado en datos inéditos de una encuesta en línea realizada a un grupo de 95 instituciones educativas, con respuestas validadas, este artículo se propuso responder a esta pregunta a través de un estudio cuantitativo que busca verificar la correlación entre las características de las alianzas firmadas y tres aspectos organizacionales seleccionados: descentralización de campus; existencia de una estructura de acogida de socios potenciales (pasarela) y existencia de órganos de aprobación. A partir de proposiciones relativas a los costos de transacción, extraídas de la teoría de la acción institucional colectiva, se formularon hipótesis que involucran el efecto de cada aspecto organizacional. Los resultados mostraron, finalmente, que la descentralización de los campus influye no sólo en la presencia, sino también en el número de experiencias relevantes de alianzas con municipios. La estructuración de "pasarelas" en instituciones de formación incide más específicamente en el grado de formalización de las alianzas, ofreciendo mayor seguridad jurídica y estabilidad. La presencia de organismos de aprobación de las alianzas negociadas en instituciones de enseñanza y de investigación no parece afectar, ni positiva ni negativamente, al establecimiento de dichas alianzas.

Workplace conflicts and knowledge hiding: Mediating role of relational psychological contract breach.

This study explains workplace conflicts (interpersonal and task-related) as antecedents of knowledge-hiding behaviors. Moreover, a relational psychological contract breach is a mediator between workplace conflicts and knowledge-hiding behavior. For empirical evidence, data were collected from research and development institutions in Pakistan. The results confirm the significant association between conflicts and knowledge-hiding behaviors and the mediating role of relational psychological contract breach. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of workplace conflicts (interpersonal conflict and task-related conflict) on knowledge-hiding behaviors (evasive hiding, playing dumb, and rationalized hiding). Besides, a relational psychological contract breach is used as a mediator between workplace conflicts and knowledge-hiding behaviors. By using a simple random sampling technique and time lag strategy, the data were collected from 408 employees working in research and development institutions in Pakistan. For analyses, this study employed partial least squares structural equation modeling statistical technique by using SmartPls-3 software. The results of the study confirm the significant relationship between workplace conflicts and knowledge-hiding behaviors. Relational psychological contract breach also significantly mediates the relationship between conflicts and knowledge-hiding behaviors. However, this study found an insignificant association between interpersonal conflict and evasive knowledge hiding.

Neuroscience research in the Max Planck Society and a broken relationship to the past: Some legacies of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society after 1948.

The development of the brain sciences (Hirnforschung) in the Max Planck Society (MPG) during the early decades of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was influenced by the legacy of its precursor institution, the Kaiser Wilhelm Society for the Advancement of Science (KWG). The KWG's brain science institutes, along with their intramural psychiatry and neurology research programs, were of considerable interest to the Western Allies and former administrators of the German science and education systems in their plans to rebuild the extra-university research society-first in the British Occupation Zone and later in the American and French Occupation Zones. This formation process occurred under the physicist Max Planck (1858-1947) as acting president, and the MPG was named in his honor when it was formally established in 1948. In comparison to other international developments in the brain sciences, it was neuropathology as well as neurohistology that initially dominated postwar brain research activities in West Germany. In regard to its KWG past, at least four historical factors can be identified that explain the dislocated structural and social features of the MPG during the postwar period: first, the disruption of previously existing interactions between German brain scientists and international colleagues; second, the German educational structures that countered interdisciplinary developments through their structural focus on medical research disciplines during the postwar period; third, the moral misconduct of earlier KWG scientists and scholars during the National Socialism period; and, fourth, the deep rupture that appeared through the forced migration of many Jewish and oppositional neuroscientists who sought to find exile after 1933 in countries where they had already held active collaborations since the 1910s and 1920s. This article examines several trends in the MPG's disrupted relational processes as it sought to grapple with its broken past, beginning with the period of reinauguration of relevant Max Planck Institutes in brain science and culminating with the establishment of the Presidential Research Program on the History of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society in National Socialism in 1997.

Rehabilitation Research in Denmark Between 2001 and 2020: A Scoping Review.

The demand for rehabilitation has increased, and evidence is rapidly growing; however, a rehabilitative health strategy receives less attention than treatment. Knowledge of what is being researched, who are the target groups and who contributes to rehabilitation research is deficient. We did not find any reviews mapping rehabilitation research regarding the research questions. The objective was to identify and synthesize existing scientific evidence on rehabilitation research published by Danish institutions between 2001 and 2021. The research questions to be explored were: Among which study groups has rehabilitation research been published?. Which types of studies on rehabilitation have been published?. Which institutions have been involved in rehabilitation research? Methods: The process was guided according to the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI's) scoping review methodology. Four databases were searched. All types of peer-reviewed studies on any target group and rehabilitation setting, with any affiliation to a Danish institution, were eligible to be included. Studies referring to population and the type of design were categorized. Institutions were counted as Danish first authorship. Results: The search revealed 3,100 studies, and following screening 1,779 were included. A total of 24 broad study groups were identified, mostly diagnosis-based health conditions. Musculoskeletal, cancer, and cardiac had 342, 228, and 174 studies, respectively. A total of 1,545 had a Danish first authorship, most of the Danish publications came from hospitals (56.6%) and universities (28.4%). The publication trend showed an almost linear development, with a 10-15% increase during the period. Conclusion: Following screening 1,779 studies were included involving 24 broad study groups. Most categories were diagnosis-based; musculoskeletal, cancer, and cardiac health conditions encompassed most studies. All study designs were represented, and 1/10 were secondary studies. The majority (87%) of studies had a Danish first authorship. The majority of first affiliations were among hospitals followed by universities. A few municipalities were presented although they are yet to have research responsibility. Publication trends showed an increase primarily from 2013. Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/, identifier [10.17605/OSF.IO/2AENX].

Reproducibility and research integrity: the role of scientists and institutions.

Reproducibility and research integrity are essential tenets of every scientific study and discovery. They serve as proof that an established and documented work can be verified, repeated, and reproduced. New knowledge in the biomedical science is built on the shoulders of established and proven principles. Thus, scientists must be able to trust and build on the knowledge of their colleagues. Scientific innovation and research discoveries especially in the field of medicine has contributed to improving the lives of patients and increasing life expectancies. However, the growing concerns of failure to comply with good scientific principles has resulted in issues with research integrity and reproducibility. Poor reproducibility and integrity, therefore, may lead to ineffective interventions and applications. Here we comment on research reproducibility in basic medical and life sciences with regards to issues arising and outline the role of stakeholders such as research institutions and their employees in addressing this crisis.

A large National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre facilitates impactful cross-disciplinary and collaborative translational research publications and research collaboration networks: a bibliometric evaluation study.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of translational health research is important for various reasons such as the research impact assessment, research funding allocation, accountability, and strategic research policy formulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the research productivity, strength and diversity of research collaboration networks and impact of research supported by a large biomedical research centre in the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: Bibliometric analysis of research publications by translational researchers affiliated with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) from April 2012 to March 2017. RESULTS: Analysis included 2377 translational research publications that were published during the second 5-year funding period of the NIHR Oxford BRC. Author details were available for 99.75% of the publications with DOIs (2359 of 2365 with DOIs), and the number of authors per publication was median 9 (mean = 18.03, SD = 3.63, maximum = 2467 authors). Author lists also contained many consortia, groups, committees, and teams (n = 165 in total), with 1238 additional contributors, where membership was reported. The BRC co-authorship i.e., research collaboration network for these publications involved 20,229 nodes (authors, of which 1606 nodes had Oxford affiliations), and approximately 4.3 million edges (authorship linkages). Articles with a valid DOIs (2365 of 2377, 99.5%) were collectively cited more than 155,000 times and the average Field Citation Ratio was median 6.75 (geometric mean = 7.12) while the average Relative Citation Ratio was median 1.50 (geometric mean = 1.83) for the analysed publications. CONCLUSIONS: The NIHR Oxford BRC generated substantial translational research publications and facilitated a huge collaborative network of translational researchers working in complex structures and consortia, which shows success across the whole of this BRC funding period. Further research involving continued uptake of unique persistent identifiers and the tracking of other research outputs such as clinical innovations and patents would allow a more detailed understanding of large research enterprises such as NIHR BRCs in the UK.

Cooperation & Liaison between Universities & Editors (CLUE): recommendations on best practice.

BACKGROUND: Inaccurate, false or incomplete research publications may mislead readers including researchers and decision-makers. It is therefore important that such problems are identified and rectified promptly. This usually involves collaboration between the research institutions and academic journals involved, but these interactions can be problematic. METHODS: These recommendations were developed following discussions at World Conferences on Research Integrity in 2013 and 2017, and at a specially convened 3-day workshop in 2016 involving participants from 7 countries with expertise in publication ethics and research integrity. The recommendations aim to address issues surrounding cooperation and liaison between institutions (e.g. universities) and journals about possible and actual problems with the integrity of reported research arising before and after publication. RESULTS: The main recommendations are that research institutions should: 1) develop mechanisms for assessing the integrity of reported research (if concerns are raised) that are distinct from processes to determine whether individual researchers have committed misconduct; 2) release relevant sections of reports of research integrity or misconduct investigations to all journals that have published research that was investigated; 3) take responsibility for research performed under their auspices regardless of whether the researcher still works at that institution or how long ago the work was done; 4) work with funders to ensure essential research data is retained for at least 10 years. Journals should: 1) respond to institutions about research integrity cases in a timely manner; 2) have criteria for determining whether, and what type of, information and evidence relating to the integrity of research reports should be passed on to institutions; 3) pass on research integrity concerns to institutions, regardless of whether they intend to accept the work for publication; 4) retain peer review records for at least 10 years to enable the investigation of peer review manipulation or other inappropriate behaviour by authors or reviewers. CONCLUSIONS: Various difficulties can prevent effective cooperation between academic journals and research institutions about research integrity concerns and hinder the correction of the research record if problems are discovered. While the issues and their solutions may vary across different settings, we encourage research institutions, journals and funders to consider how they might improve future collaboration and cooperation on research integrity cases.

Critiques, Ethics, Prestige and Status: A Survey of Editors in Economics.

This study examines survey data on the views of editors of economics journals on common critiques of the discipline, ethics and editorial practices, and the role of prestige and status in publishing. We utilize an ordered probit model to investigate whether editors or journal characteristics are systematically related to editors' views, controlling for gender and editorial position. Regression results show that editors from top-ranked journals are less likely to agree with common disciplinary critiques, more likely to support market solutions and less likely to agree with concerns about editorial practices.

Current scenario of and future perspective for scientific research in Nepal.

Scientific research can act as the 'bedrock for development' which can provide a solid foundation for the overall socioeconomic transformation in a country through invention and innovation. The inclusion of seven groups of Nepalese monuments in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s world heritage sites provides evidence of the richness in architecture and civil engineering in the country, which also show how Nepal was influenced by arts and religious philosophy. The government of Nepal (GoN) has established different scientific departments, universities, and research institutions, and has tried to emphasize the application of science and research for the development of the nation. These institutions, however, have inadequate resources, exist in a poor academic and research environment and are subject to overt political influence. Despite these various problems, a variety of pioneer research and development activities have been conducted, which show positive rays of hope. This review presents history, current situation, progress and future perspective for scientific research and development in Nepal.

Scientific support of small fruit growing in Russia and prospects for its development.

It is possible to achieve the target indices of the Russian Doctrine of Food Security (self-sufficiency in fruits and berries should be at least 60 %) by combining the competencies of science and business. At present, hundreds of varieties of small fruit crops are included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Admitted for Use. Domestic breeders have obtained substantial results; the share of their assortment is 79-100 %. Federal Research Center of Horticulture (Moscow) (101 pcs.), Federal Altai Research Center of Agrobiotechnology (Barnaul) (85 pcs.), Michurin Federal Research Center (Michurinsk) (42 pcs.) are the leaders in the number of created hybrids and varieties. Over the past five years, 133 new breeding achievements of traditional small fruit crops have been submitted to the State variety testing, the originators of which are research institutions, private companies and individuals. The creation of modern seed-breeding (nursery-breeding) centers (SBC) on the basis of leading specialized research institutions is expected to be the solution to the problems of modern breeding and nursery breeding and to give impetus to the development of domestic small fruit growing. The research programs of the SBC involve an integrated approach that combines the knowledge and capabilities of researchers from different disciplines, the concentration of a complex analytical instrument base in the Centers of collective use, the using of biotechnological and molecular genetic research, along with traditional methods of breeding. An analysis of the achievements in small fruit growing in research institutions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation revealed a huge scientific potential (genetic collections, hybrid funds) for creating competitive commercial varieties and technologies for their cultivation by establishing plantations with certified planting material in accordance with international requirements. Information from literary sources indicates that one of the main criteria for the value of varieties is resistance to harmful viral diseases. The cultivation of such varieties will reduce the cost of producing planting material for small fruit crops of the highest quality categories. In the near future, the most relevant areas for the breeding of small fruit crops will be: breeding for resistance to the most harmful viruses, winter hardiness, increased transportability and long-term post-harvest storage of fruits, suitability for mechanized cultivation, high content of biologically active substances.

UNDERSTANDING triggering skills for ENTREPRENEURS: The case of ESIC.

The aim of this paper is to present the methodology and results of a study on the role played by an institution in higher education, the ESIC Business & Marketing School, in teaching different master's degree programmes to examine whether they respond to the demands of potential entrepreneurs who are seeking to acquire the tools and develop the skills necessary to eventually become successful. The main conclusions were that the students with the intention of achieving a higher level of entrepreneurial skills were enroled in the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) programme without omitting other master's degree programmes also chosen by students with entrepreneurial concerns. It was also found that the variable with the highest impact on entrepreneurial motivation was family environment. Our data lead us to maintain that these students were not always going to start up a new business. The originality of this paper comes from our survey with 1,135 responses from the master's degree programmes taught in five cities in Spain with the inclusion of an analysis for LATAM students.

Active researches on prevention and treatment of COVID-19 by Chinese scholars with signifícant results / 中国药理学通报

At present, novel Coronavirus is spreading wordwide, with rapid speed, strong transinissibility and many spreading channels. On January 31, 2020, WHO declared the pneumonia (COVID-19) outbreak caused by novel Coronavirus to be "an public health emergency of international concern". As of May 31, 2020, Beijing time, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide had exceeded 6.21 million, and the cumulative number of deaths had exceeded 370 000. The outbreak of COVID-19 has prompted Chinese medical and health prevention researchers to carry out a large number of studies on COVID-19, and the important achievements have been published in many medical journals at home and abroad. Through CNKI, this study analyzed and summarized COVID-19 related articles published by Chinese scholars in domestic medical journals from January to April 2020. It was found that COVID-19 related articles were published in a wide range of journals and research institutions, including hospitals, universities, research institutes and pharmaceutical companies. The research content is comprehensive, including pathogenesis, virus antibody detection, COVID-19 diagnosis, epidemic prevention and control strategies, vaccine development and treatment drug development, etc. The treatment of COVID-19 is multipath,including anti-virus, improving the body' s immunity. Western medicine treatment, TCM conditioning and integrated treatment of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. These research findings and diagnosis and treatment experience provide important references for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 around the world.

Critical Thinking and its Importance in Doctoral Education / Pensamiento crítico y su importancia en la educación doctoral / O Pensamento Crítico e sua Importância na Educação de Doutorado

Abstract Introduction: For a doctoral student it is necessary and mandatory to conduct research that leads them to move the frontier of knowledge. In this context, how does critical thinking contribute to generating new knowledge? Many authors attempt to explain and define critical thinking. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the most relevant critical thinking models and to develop a model for this personal attribute in doctoral education. Materials and methods: Seminal works and the most significant models of critical thinking were reviewed in the current literature. Results: A critical thinking model in doctoral education was developed as an integration of the most important contributions of all authors. Conclusions: We argue that there is not a unique definition for this concept and that critical thinking may be understood as a process rather than as a tool, attribute or skill.

Resumen: Introducción. Para un estudiante doctoral es necesario y obligatorio llevar a cabo una investigación que lo conduce a mover la frontera del conocimiento. En este contexto, ¿cómo contribuye el pensamiento crítico a generar nuevo conocimiento? Muchos autores intentan explicar y definir el pensamiento crítico. Objetivo. El propósito de este trabajo es discutir los modelos de pensamiento crítico más relevantes y desarrollar un modelo para este atributo personal en la educación doctoral. Materiales y métodos. Los trabajos seminales y los modelos más significativos de pensamiento crítico fueron revisados en la literatura actual. Resultados. Se desarrolló un modelo de pensamiento crítico en la educación doctoral, como una integración de las contribuciones más importantes de todos los autores. Conclusión. Argumentamos que no existe una definición única para este concepto y que el pensamiento crítico puede ser entendido como un proceso más que como una herramienta, atributo o habilidad.

Resumo: Introdução. Para um aluno de doutorado é necessário e obrigatório realizar uma investigação que o leve a mover a fronteira do conhecimento. Neste contexto, como o pensamento crítico contribui para gerar novos conhecimentos? Muitos autores tentam explicar e definir o pensamento crítico. Objetivo. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir os modelos de pensamento crítico mais relevantes e desenvolver um modelo para este atributo pessoal na educação de doutorado. Materiais e métodos. Trabalhos seminais e os modelos mais significativos de pensamento crítico foram revisados na literatura atual. Resultados. Um modelo de pensamento crítico na formação de doutorado foi desenvolvido como uma integração das contribuições mais importantes de todos os autores. Conclusões. Nós argumentamos que não existe uma definição única para esse conceito e que o pensamento crítico pode ser entendido como um processo e não como uma ferramenta, atributo ou habilidade.

Survey on patent situation of medical research institutions in Guizhou Province / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective In recent years,driven by our country's policy of strengthening independent innovation capabilities,there is dramatic increasing of the Patent application volume in Guizhou Province.This article analyzes the patent application and authorization of Guizhou medical research institutes,explored its existing problems and proposed countermeasures.Methods In this paper,the author searched the patent data of Guizhou Medical Scientific Research Institutions,including medical universities and their affiliated hospitals,medical colleges,and people's hospitals at all levels,through the Baiten Patent Data Retrieval Website.Data about the number of patent applications,types of applications,technical composition,legal status,legal events were analyzed to understand the existing problems,and proposed further solutions.Results At present,the medical scientific research units in Guizhou Province still have many problems in patent applications,such as low quality,Pay attention to the application but neglect the maintenance,low patent transactions,lack of patent knowledge for scientific researchers,and low patent consulting services.Conclusions These problems can be solved by improving the intellectual property management department,strengthening information literacy education,running a new mode of school-enterprise cooperation,and adding patent service organizations.

Engagement of health research institutions in knowledge translation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

BACKGROUND: Health research institutions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) can play an integral role in promoting and supporting Knowledge Translation (KT). Assessing institutions' engagement in KT and bridging the "research- policy" gap is important in designing context-specific strategies to promote KT and informing funding efforts in the region. AIMS: The objective of this study was to explore the engagement of EMR institutions in KT activities. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of institutions undertaking health research in the 22 EMR countries was undertaken. The survey covered institutional characteristics, institutional planning for research, national planning for health research, and knowledge management, translation and dissemination. RESULTS: 575 institutions were contacted of which 223 (38.3%) responded. Half the sampled institutions reported conducting priority-setting exercises, with 60.2% not following a standardized approach. Less than half institutions reported frequently/ always (40.5%) involving policymakers and stakeholders in setting priorities for research on health. Only 26.5% of respondent institutions reported that they examine the extent to which health policymakers utilize their research results. Moreover, only 23.3% reported measuring the impact of their health research. CONCLUSIONS: There is still misalignment between national health research priorities and actual research production, and KT activities are still rarely undertaken by institutions in the EMR. National governments and international funding agencies are called to support research production and translation in the EMR. Institutions and researchers are also called to produce policy-relevant research and be responsive to the needs and priorities of policy-makers.

Differences and structural weaknesses of institutional mechanisms for health research ethics: Burkina Faso, Palestine, Peru, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

BACKGROUND: Regardless of national contexts, the institutions responsible for research ethics, founded on international regulations, are all expected to be structured and to operate in a common way. Our experience with several countries on different continents, however, has raised questions in this regard. This article examines the differences and structural weaknesses of ethics committees in four countries (Burkina Faso, Palestine, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) where we have conducted the same socio-anthropological study in the field of reproductive health. METHODS: In addition to recording our observations during field surveys for this study, we performed a documentary review and interviewed expert members of ethics committees, research participants, and researchers who had experience with requesting ethics approvals for research protocols in the field of social sciences and health. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that, despite having the same mandate, the committees functioned differently, while they all exhibited the same weaknesses. Thus, the universalization and standardization of institutional conditions for applying ethical standards in research still present problems that are, at the very least, relevant. CONCLUSION: This study on ethics committees in four countries demonstrated the profound influence of context on the ways in which different institutions function and enforce regulations. In effect, in all social fields, every innovation is infused by its context.

Spanish National Oncological Research Center (CNIO): a bibliometric portrait.

INTRODUCTION: Madrid's CNIO (Spanish National Oncological Research Center) ranks among the three first institutions in the world, specifically dedicated to cancer research. CNIO research mainly focuses on three aspects: use of stem cells to fix problematic cancer damage, searches for genes that cause cancer disease, and use of drug design to manage oncological disorders. OBJECTIVES: The main goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the 'translation' of basic discoveries generated at this cancer research center, into new interventions aimed at preventing and treating various types of cancer, with bibliometric criteria. METHODS: A corpus of published articles and citations received by CNIO between 1998 and 2016 has been retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database. Bibliometric indicators considered here are: citation practices, use of journals on the basis of their impact factors, scientific literature citing CNIO publications, and international connectedness of CNIO researchers. RESULTS: A total of 3510 articles were published by CNIO between 1998 and 2016, 23% of which in journals with impact factors between 10 and 15 and above 15. Along the same period, the institution received 135,769 citations published in more than 5800 journals, where the most important citing journals were the Plos One with 3.6% of all the citing articles, Oncotarget with 1.8%, and Scientific Reports with 1.2%. The highest number of citations was 18,005 in 2007; in terms of average citation rate, the first ranked CNIO research program was in the area of experimental therapeutics (77.79%), followed by molecular oncology (68.1%). This position was provided by the active growth in citation to the articles whose themes are related to the problems of the consequences of the design of preclinical drug candidates and the study of oncological disorders. CONCLUSIONS: From this study on a number of bibliometric characteristics of the Spanish National Oncological Research Center (CNIO), we conclude that the publication activity (since 2006 its scientific production has increased in about 83%), the number of high-quality journals used per year, the high influence, and impact of the journals and organizations citing the institution, consolidate its image as a top-notch oncological research center.

Discussions on management of director 's target responsibility system of scientific research institutions, taking China academy of Chinese medical sciences as an example / 国际中医中药杂志

Based on the analysis of the management of Director 's target responsibility system in China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences these years, the methods and experience were introduced in this paper. How to further improve the management was also discussed, providing a certain reference for the target responsibility system management of scientific research institutes.