THE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES - CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATIONAL-DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISCIPLINE

Resources and the intellectual climate for research are important for quality scholarly work. Within the context of a national discipline, t hese factors play important roles in both facilitating and impeding it s development. Peer review and feedback and productive role models sha pe new investigators, and thereby the course of the discipline. A stro ng national association and quality journal editing set standards for the discipline. The availability of journals and other resources, acad emic accountability, and a system to reward research contribute to an environment that encourages identification with the science and a comm itment to research. In contrast, the absence of these factors promotes a diminished commitment that contaminates the intellectual climate an d has serious consequences for the entire discipline. Consideration of the intellectual climate and the strategies to foster its development must give special consideration to the collectivistic nature of some cultures.