SAB NewsBonus Quote Winner from the "Perceptions of the Scientific Industry" StudyPosted 1/25/2006 The Science Advisory Board recently conducted a study, “Perceptions of the Scientific Industry,” on the value of scientific journals, magazine, and newspapers for informing scientists about technologies and fostering communication with their colleagues. Based on a 34-question study of over 1,500 members, scientists were queried as to their preferences for the informational content typically found in various scientific publications. Highlights from the study are in the "Study Snapshots" section of the Web site. As a token of our appreciation, participants--in addition to each receiving 50 Viewpoints for completing the study--were entered into a drawing for a $20 gift certificate from Amazon.com. We are pleased to announce that Christopher, a pharmaceutical Lab Director from the United States was selected as the contest winner. When asked, “Do you believe that suppliers should seek endorsements of their products from well-respected scientists and then include quotes from these individuals in their print ads (i.e., similar to the excerpts from reviews on book jackets)? Why or why not?” Christopher replied: "I do not believe that suppliers should use scientist endorsements. Firstly, the scientific community has so many disciplines that the notion of a well-respected scientist across multiple fields is unlikely. Therefore the target audience for any given scientist's endorsement would be quite narrow. More importantly, endorsing products specifically for a company is not the business of scientists. It is one thing to recommend a product to a colleague based on personal experience and to accept that recommendation based on knowledge and trust of the recommending colleague. It is another to blindly accept an endorsement from someone you don't know who is likely being compensated for that endorsement. Do we all really believe that the celebrities that endorse soft drinks etc. really drink them? Research products stand on their own merit. They either provide a solution to a problem or do not. If they do not they are quickly replaced by other products. If they are good products they stand the test of time and this is the proper endorsement to consider." Thank you to all members of The Science Advisory Board members who made this study possible. The Science Advisory Board provides opportunities for its members to earn honoraria each and every time they participate in the Board’s studies. Interested in finding out more? Please visit our ABOUT section. |
|
