Commonsense: well, in history it sometimes has taken a century to realise how useful had been some apparently useless scientific discoveries...Nowadays academics are expected to predict the usefulness of something that has even not been discovered yet even before they get given a money for the research on it

In my postdoc application I made a remark about my stuff being commercialised and it impressed the reviewers. I think in some fields there is an increasing emphasis on translating basic science to practical engineered solutions.

sjo4 im in commerce and business management. thanks, so i ve to decide the way to go u reckon

But what is "useful" begs the question of what the focus should be? If "useful" is measured by econometrics, then I would disagree. The entire econometrics approach I think dangerously encroaches upon academic freedom. Universities are not trade schools--if you want to learn a vocation, there are learning centers with that focus. Not to say anything bad about a vocationally oriented education, but that is something that I think is vastly different than the pursuit of knowledge. If universities are to become vocationally oriented, then the agenda should just be put out there and made clear.

At least then there would be an honest and transparent discussion, instead of people hiding behind feel good labels like econometrics. I think that the current trends are dangerous and should be carefully considered and opposed when needed. I think they make dangerous inroads on free thinking, free speech and the pursuit of knowledge.

That said, UK universities have a long way to fall before they hit the low water mark set by US universities that have essentially become minor league training grounds for professional (American) football and basketball teams.

In a way I suppose you could argue that academia is late to the general trend of "evidence based" results that has been the bane of social services, government agencies, etc, with the setting of rather meaningless and in some cases unachievable targets. Everything MUST BE MEASURED IN ORDER TO COUNT! seems to be the prevailing philosophy. I am not sure anyone would say that this push produced anything really worthwhile in the end in the government sector, and I would predict it will have its day and go by the wayside as well in academia.

melib, unfortunately I'm not familiar with what is involved in your type of research and how people diversify from their stated projects

As I say in science it is very common for people to choose the direction of their project after the first year.

To be honest I think you should probably speak to your supervisor for guidance as even if they aren't familiar with your specific field, they will be able to advise you in regards to the way in which it should be researched

good luck

S