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Conventionally measurement of value of research outputs has included factors like surpassing the boundaries of known knowledge. When the pursuit of knowledge was for its own sake without any pre-defined purpose, systems of research did not examine as to whether there was any relevance to the new knowledge or not. The way people live seems to have undergone dramatic changes during the 19th and 20th centuries. Much of such dramatic changes are attributed to technology and innovations, both of which are results of direct applications of science. Whereas scholarly pursuit of knowledge in search of truth did not bear any contextual referencing, technology and innovations are coupled to the context of applications. Relevance of outputs of research has in recent times become an important dimension in determining the size and scope of investments into science.
Relevance of research outputs raises the questions like relevance to a) whom, b) when and c) how? Usability criterion would determine the value of outputs of relevant research. Social and contextual referencing of research in such environments is crucial. Relevant research may focus on inventions in the form of products and processes. Tangible social values of the inventions are assessed by potential impacts on the user community. Whereas excellence criterion might be more easily achieved through personal passion driven pursuits, relevance of research would be more strongly influenced by the strength of team work. Since user of research outputs does play an important part in determining its relevance value, an effective communication between the ultimate user and inventor of products or processes gains critical need in relevant research. Whereas research focused on excellence could adopt supply side intervention, relevance criterion needs demand driven approaches.
Identification of priorities for relevant research is a major issue. Types of questions that need to be answered in undertaking relevant research would include a) What is research good for and b) whom is it good for? It may appear that set of paradigms for relevant research are different from those deployed for scholarly pursuits leading to publications in peer valued journals. Peer perception in relevant research includes criterion of usability and potentials for social impact of research outcomes. Choice of output indicators for relevant research would call for an insight into the specific user needs and require an ability to synthesize a priori solution- rather than discovery-based approaches for research. Designing solutions to problems faced by large segments of the user community is an established path for relevant research. Discovering useful and valuable solutions to key social challenges has always been one the established modes. For outputs of research reaching people and larger society, multi-disciplinary approaches and team work may become important.
The proposed conversation on the topic “excellence and relevance in research systems” would involve total of 3 one hour sessions of interactions. The first part would focus on general differences in approaches for relevant research relative to basic research for generation of new or universal knowledge. Second part would discuss some key socially relevant challenges of India citing some previous examples of success. Third part would be a discussion on current themes of relevant research both in national and global context. An attempt would be made to share evolving thoughts on the subject.
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