A Preliminary Exploratory Study of Valuations Placed On the Perceived Goals and Benefits of Different Types of Research Endeavor

Abstract

Inadequate communication of the potential value and benefits of research findings could be an important factor in failure of knowledge diffusion and utilization. This deficiency may be related to differences in belief systems and in the valuations placed upon different types of research goals. A preliminary exploratory and developmental study employed a constrained allocation method to examine the valuations of 12 different types of research goals by 559 persons in five countries. There was substantial variation between individuals and between different groups and countries, with a tendency toward extremism. The constrained allocation method appears to be a useful tool for investigating beliefs and judgments regarding the pertinence and importance of different research objectives. As discussed here in some detail, the findings have definite methodological implications; they also suggest hypotheses and indicate avenues jor further research.