Self Interest and Scientists: Implications to Developing Research Priorities

Planning and funding agencies often confer with experts to determine the potential and relative importance of different science activities. Such inputs are so crucial for planning that a multi-stage approach (Delphi study) is conducted to improve the quality and accuracy of the data. Based on a study of Russian and Japanese expert opinions we find that under certain circumstances there is a systematic change in self-reports over time that consistently favors the personal interests of the researcher who are consulted. The situation in which this bias occurs and strategies to eliminate the bias from future studies are offered.