What next-generation scholars need to know in order to thrive, and how they can actively participate in shaping the academic research enterprise.The academic research enterprise is highly complex, involving multiple sectors of society and a vast array of approaches. In Demystifying the Academic Research Enterprise, Kelvin K. Droegemeier shows next-generation scholars across all disciplines how to become more productive earlier in their career, as well as how to help shape the academic research enterprise. The topics covered include public perceptions of scholarly work and its use in policy; understanding the big picture of funding and national priorities as well as identifying funding sources; research methods; collecting data and materials; writing grant proposals; publishing results; ethical conduct; bias and peer review; intellectual property and compliance regulations; partnerships and collaboration; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the future of research. Droegemeier's two principal goals are to enhance and accelerate scholars' understanding of the academic research process and to democratize that understanding, particularly at institutions that traditionally are underrepresented or lack robust resources. While intended for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career faculty, Demystifying the Academic Research Enterprise is also relevant to mid-career and senior faculty, research administrators, funding organizations, congressional staff, policymakers, and the general public. Droegemeier places scholars in a broader national and international context-not as passive recipients of the existing system but as key actors who actively participate in helping to set priorities, determine policies, drive systemic change, and advance knowledge.

List of Acronyms xiForeword xvPreface xviiAcknowledgments xxiIntroduction 11 Deep in Our Bones: Why and Where We Perform Research and Creative Activity 52 The Money Trail: Funding for Research and Creative Activity 273 Perception and Reality: Public Attitudes, Understanding, and Use of Research 514 Essential Concepts: Performing Research and Creative Activity 715 Becoming a Detective: Finding What You Need and Using it Effectively 956 Diving into the Pool: Research Proposals, Evaluation Processes, and Project Management 1077 The Give-and-Take of Criticism: Subjecting Research to Scrutiny via Peer/Merit Review 1258 We See the World Differently: Bias and Differing Views 1459 Honesty Is the Best Policy: Ethical Conduct and Research Integrity 15910 Better Safe than Sorry: Research Compliance 17111 Show Time: Making Your Work Known to Multiple Audiences 19512 Yours, Mine, and Ours: Ownership of Research Outcomes 21313 I Need You and You Need Me: Collaboration, Multidisciplinary Inquiry, and Academic-Corporate Partnerships 23714 A Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Challenges and Opportunities for the US Academic Research Enterprise 267Afterword 283Notes 285References 289Author Biography 311Index 313