Research ratings, research coherence and justifying the butterfly

Abstract

A few years ago, a leading academic figure in my field shared, generously, insights into the ways in which the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) regarded research. We should not, she noted severely, behave like butterflies, flitting from one topic to another. The NRF wanted research coherence, proficiency in a field, persistence in establishing authority as specialists. Current NRF guidance on research ratings continues to note that ‘unfocussed / opportunistic research’ is not desirable and will lead to poor ratings or no ratings.

As a card-carrying contrarian, I argue that the obsession with coherence has led, and continues to lead, to bad effects: narrowness of focus, failure of interdisciplinary research, a failure to use the archive constructively, and a failure to respond to new challenges timeously. I want to justify the butterfly.