Moral rights and wrongs of research funding

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of being vigilant in the implications of all indicators of research output, quality and impact that are used in research assessment exercises.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines links between Australia's competitive and contract research funding arrangements, moral rights clauses and some implications for particular disciplines and areas of research, including heterodox economics.

Findings

Contract research arrangements have implications that are at least as significant as those associated with journal rankings and heterodox economists should pay careful attention to the provisions that attach to research funding.

Originality/value

Despite its significance and implications, the recent introduction of moral rights clauses in Australian research contracts has received little systematic attention in academic journals and debate.

Citation

Jefferson, T. (2008), "Moral rights and wrongs of research funding", On the Horizon, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 252-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120810912574