In message <[log in to unmask]> on Sun, 8 Aug
2004, John Hughes <[log in to unmask]> wrote
>Could it be to do with the use to which researched information is put?
>
>Generally speaking, I imagine that those researchers within the
>academic world use their research for the benefit of others, not least
>students.
>
>Whereas the commercial exploitation of researched information may only
>benefit a minority.
It's not nearly as clear-cut as that. Independent workers have to
publish useful information and participate in professional activities in
order to become known and to establish their credibility in the same way
as those in academic employment. Many consultants join working parties,
talk at conferences and contribute to work such as standards development
which benefits the community, with no direct remuneration. Not only is
it useful and important, but also interesting and enjoyable! The time of
the independent scholar who works for love is not yet over.
I have done many consultancy projects for higher educational and other
public sector bodies, and I don't see a major distinction between that
and the work done by people who happen to be employed for longer
periods, either on research grants or in permanent positions. The
results are usually published or used indirectly for the public benefit.
Even if you try to limit "commercial exploitation" you have to allow for
many examples of university-industry collaboration. These must surely
benefit from the access to information sources provided to higher
education institutions from which the rest of us are excluded.
Leonard
--
Willpower Information (Partners: Dr Leonard D Will, Sheena E Will)
Information Management Consultants Tel: +44 (0)20 8372 0092
27 Calshot Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7BQ, UK. Fax: +44 (0)870 051 7276
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