Good Evaluation

REWARD SUBSTANCE, NOT FASHION

Funding and recognition should prioritize rigor and originality, even when results are unfashionable or politically inconvenient. Science funders and policymakers should guard against groupthink and premature consensus.

REWARD HONESTY, NOT JUST SUCCESS

Careful work should be valued even when results are negative. Sharing failures, data, and methods strengthens science for everyone. Retracting a paper based on well-conducted but later-invalidated work should be seen as responsible—not shameful.

SUPPORT BOTH GOAL-DIRECTED AND EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Science needs both problem-solving and curiosity-driven exploration. Funding should support the full spectrum of inquiry.