Abstract

There is an ongoing debate as to whether the pace of scientific discovery is slowing. The increasing complexity of research at the scientific frontier may be among the reasons for the apparent deceleration in scientific progress. We suggest that our tools and incentive systems must be re-engineered to match the complexity of the scientific questions we face.

We propose that tools for discovering and navigating complex thickets of scientific evidence and tools for transferring knowledge between individuals, teams, and disciplines are especially important, and present evidence in support. Scientists cope with the increasing complexity of scientific fields and the burdens of knowledge required to contribute to the knowledge frontier by studying more, specializing more, and working in teams. We motivate the effectiveness of specific tools for making knowledge transfer between individuals and generations more efficient.

These tools include tools for discovering and mapping the knowledge frontier, such as roadmapping and automated querying and forecasting; tools for sharing the current position of the knowledge frontier in a discipline or suite of disciplines, including computerized knowledge graphs; and tools for supporting, managing, and incentivizing research at the knowledge frontier, including tools to transfer research management praxis and institutional structures supporting breakthrough research.

We further suggest that one of the roles of science outside of academia is to develop and experiment with these novel tools and funding models, and discuss current implementations of these technologies.