Article Sidebar
Article Details
Copyright remains in the Author’s name. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - Noncommercial Works License. Authors are required to complete and sign an Author Agreement form that outlines Author and Publisher rights and terms of publication. The Agreement form should be uploaded along with other submissions files and any submission will be considered incomplete without it [forthcoming].
Material submitted for publication in the SAMJ is accepted provided it has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Please inform the editorial team if the main findings of your paper have been presented at a conference and published in abstract form, to avoid copyright infringement. The SAMJ does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.
Previously published images
If an image/figure has been previously published, permission to reproduce or alter it must be obtained by the authors from the original publisher and the figure legend must give full credit to the original source. This credit should be accompanied by a letter indicating that permission to reproduce the image has been granted to the author/s. This letter should be uploaded as a supplementary file during submission.
Main Article Content
Medical research - a comparative study of the situation in the RSA and in certain other countries
Abstract
Research as a whole, with medical research as part thereof, is supported by organizational systems which differ in different countries. The basis for research support is nearly always one of two types: projects (short-term research) conducted by individuals, or programme research (a more extended form) carried out by a number of people in a defined field and under the direction of a person uniquely suited to lead the research. The other important form of research undertaking is one of national importance which assumes dimensions necessitating the creation of specific facilities in the form of buildings, research equipment and a staffing establishment (usually termed an 'institute'). Certain aspects relating to medical research as seen in other countries could well be adapted to our own needs, such as the introduction of research work communities (as found in Holland), and the establishm,ent of priority research programmes in order to develop areas of neglect (as done in Germany). Adjustments can also be made to our training programmes and bursary schemes. In particular, attention can be paid to the re-employment of active r"esearch workers who have reached retirement age, and to the creation of full-time research posts in different categories at universities. In whatever manner our available research funds are calculated for comparison with those available - elsewhere, whether based on money available per capita. size' in relation to other research programmes or percentage of gross national product, the position of South Africa appears to be' embarrassingly inferior.
