An outdated publishing system threatens both research integrity and the retention of rigorous early career researchers

Abstract

Research integrity and reproducibility are threatened by two key, intertwined problems in the current research system: 1) there is a lack of transparency throughout theresearch process and 2) scientific publishing relies on a faulty prestige economy maintained by current for-profit publishing companies. Both of these problems threaten not only the integrity and reproducibility of research outputs themselves, but also the retention and career progression of rigorous, dedicated early career research scientists within public research institutions. This submission reflects my personal experience as an early career researcher, and how I see these problems impacting other researchers who are also on temporary, precarious contracts, and seeking grant funding or permanent research positions. Please note a version of this article was originally written and published for the UK Parliament as part of their Call for Evidence on Research Integrity and Reproducibility in September 2021.