Open Science
Scientific American has an article on web 2.0 tools and methods starting to spread to scientific research. All academic research areas have been slow to adopt open and collaborative approaches to research. Researchers worry that their work and ideas will be stolen, and others will get either the financial or academic credit.
These concerns have led academic researchers - who by nature are not highly collaborative on average - to avoid Web 2.0 informaton sharing. But that is changing as many scientists and researchers discover the benefits of collaboration. Two key passages from the article:
"Science 2.0 generally refers to new practices of scientists who post raw experimental results, nascent theories, claims of discovery and draft papers on the Web for others to see and comment on.
Critiquing, suggesting, sharing ideas and data—this communication is the heart of science, the most powerful tool ever invented for correcting errors, building on colleagues’ work and fashioning new knowledge."
As science opens up, innovation will increase. Also, as more research becomes more easily available potential commercial applications will be recognized earlier. Open science will speed the already rapid pace of innovation - and lead to new business opportunities for companies and entrepreneurs.
