Pago por mérito, producción científica y CNEAI

Abstract

Some authors have given the CNEAI a notorious role in the promotion of the scientific research in Spain when considering the assessment for the exercise of ones duties done by this institution as one of the essential elements in the increase of the Spanish scientific production in the last few years. We hereby expose that the increase of the scientific production in Spain is not linked enough neither with the evaluation activity of the research fulfilment done by the CNEAI nor consequently with the merit pay system done specifically in Spain by means of an economic incentive called sexenios. Just on the contrary, we try to suggest that such increase must be related to the growth of both human and material resources devoted to the research activity, a remark which may sound obvious at first sight but its necessary to point out for those who (some times in a selfish way ) deny it. Moreover, it is shown how the so called merit pay system presents notorious risks which must have born in mind to avoid such system to produce unwanted effects. All in all, we do consider that a system of economic incentives based on a correct evaluation of the research activity can turn out profitable to get better the quality of the scientific production as well as gradually improve everyones way of working..