Under Pressure: The Extent and Distribution of Perceived Pressure among Scientists in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
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| Title: | Under Pressure: The Extent and Distribution of Perceived Pressure among Scientists in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Johann, David, Raabe, Isabel J., Rauhut, Heiko |
| Source: | Research Evaluation. Jul 2022 31(3):385-409. |
| Availability: | Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://applij.oxfordjournals.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 25 |
| Publication Date: | 2022 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Cross Cultural Studies, Scientists, Institutional Characteristics, Intellectual Disciplines, Faculty Publishing, Publish or Perish Issue, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes, Financial Support, Likert Scales, Academic Rank (Professional), Age Differences, Gender Differences, Family Work Relationship, Work Environment, Foreign Countries, Family Size, Equal Opportunities (Jobs), Career Development, Faculty Workload, Research, Time Management, Child Rearing, Interpersonal Relationship |
| Geographic Terms: | Germany, Switzerland, Austria |
| DOI: | 10.1093/reseval/rvac014 |
| ISSN: | 0958-2029 1471-5449 |
| Abstract: | While it has been stressed repeatedly that academics nowadays have come to face extensive pressure, the extent and distribution of pressure to publish and to secure third-party funding has not been systematically investigated on a large scale. Based on the Zurich Survey of Academics, a representative large-scale web survey among academics working at universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region), which measures perceived pressure using six-point Likert scales, this article examines the extent and distribution of pressure to publish and to attract external funding. Specifically, we examine differences in perceived pressure across countries, disciplines, types of higher education institutions, sociodemographic characteristics (academic status, age, gender, relationship status, number of children), and working conditions (non-tenured/tenured, time available for research). It is shown that researchers in the DACH region feel a high level of pressure, with the pressure to publish being slightly greater than the pressure to attract external funding. The results also suggest that perceived pressure is not evenly distributed among countries and groups of academics. Specifically, the results suggest that (1) more secure and permanent (tenured) positions should be created and (2) the high-performance culture should be addressed in at least some disciplines if excessive pressure is to be alleviated. The findings also suggest that further investments should be made (3) to promote equal career opportunities for women and men and (4) to ensure that scientists have sufficient time for their research and are not too occupied with other responsibilities, such as teaching or administrative duties. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2022 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1343826 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | While it has been stressed repeatedly that academics nowadays have come to face extensive pressure, the extent and distribution of pressure to publish and to secure third-party funding has not been systematically investigated on a large scale. Based on the Zurich Survey of Academics, a representative large-scale web survey among academics working at universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region), which measures perceived pressure using six-point Likert scales, this article examines the extent and distribution of pressure to publish and to attract external funding. Specifically, we examine differences in perceived pressure across countries, disciplines, types of higher education institutions, sociodemographic characteristics (academic status, age, gender, relationship status, number of children), and working conditions (non-tenured/tenured, time available for research). It is shown that researchers in the DACH region feel a high level of pressure, with the pressure to publish being slightly greater than the pressure to attract external funding. The results also suggest that perceived pressure is not evenly distributed among countries and groups of academics. Specifically, the results suggest that (1) more secure and permanent (tenured) positions should be created and (2) the high-performance culture should be addressed in at least some disciplines if excessive pressure is to be alleviated. The findings also suggest that further investments should be made (3) to promote equal career opportunities for women and men and (4) to ensure that scientists have sufficient time for their research and are not too occupied with other responsibilities, such as teaching or administrative duties. |
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| ISSN: | 0958-2029 1471-5449 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/reseval/rvac014 |
