Grass-cutting research: a symbolic case study in research funding

Abstract

The following satírical case study of a government supportcd program of research was conceived during a concert by a weil-known pianist. In the region in which the concert was being given, there was no hall suitable for a concert of such quality. The performance was given in a large athletic arena, despite the accoustical characteristics of such a facility. As the author tried to ignore the sounds and listen to the music, he reflected on other incongruities. Eventually ghosts of past research supported by public funds began to haunt hirn. The fictitious story that follows is partly a summation of those disharmonic thoutghts, and is considered in terms of devclopment of public policy for research support by gobernmental agencies in a democracy. lt is the responsibility of researchers and scholars in a democracy to educate the public about the need to support high quality research activitíes. When this responsibility is not met, political issues can become more ímportant in determining research priorities than comrnon sense or scientific neccssity.