Survey on Decentralized Academic Publishing Needs for Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Conduct a comprehensive survey of professors to identify their needs, concerns, and potential engagement strategies for decentralized academic publishing on the Cardano blockchain.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

• Open Source Repository: All project outputs, including survey tools, data analysis scripts, and educational materials, will be hosted on https://agnostica.global, GitHub and other repositories. This will facilitate easy access, collaboration, and contributions from the community.

• Continuous Availability: The repository will be made available from the beginning of the project, with regular updates as new findings and developments occur. This ensures transparency and allows the community to follow along with our progress and contribute throughout the project's duration.

Distribution of Findings:

• Open Access Publication: We will publish the results of our research in open access journals to ensure that anyone interested can view and utilize our findings without any subscription or payment barriers.
• Community Distribution: In addition to academic publication, we will disseminate our findings through various relevant social media channels and platforms that cater to both the academic and the Cardano communities. This ensures our research reaches a broad audience and engages stakeholders directly involved in or benefiting from decentralized academic publishing.

Additional Resources:

• Educational Materials: Any educational materials developed during the project, such as tutorials or webinars on how to use the survey data or insights for developing decentralized applications on Cardano, will also be released under the same open source license and shared widely across educational and developer platforms.

[METADATA] SDG rating

N/A

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Overview

We propose to conduct a detailed survey targeting professors across various academic disciplines, with a specific focus on Computer Science (CS) departments. This survey will gather insights into the current academic publishing landscape, professors' experiences with the peer-review process, and their openness to decentralized solutions. The ultimate goal is to understand how Cardano can position itself to address the needs and concerns of the academic community and foster stronger ties with academic institutions.

Objectives

1. Understand Academic Publishing Needs: Identify the pain points and challenges professors face in the current academic publishing system.
2. Gauge Interest in Decentralized Solutions: Assess the interest and potential acceptance of decentralized, blockchain-based peer-review and publishing systems.
3. Identify Barriers to Adoption: Highlight any perceived barriers to adopting blockchain technology in academic publishing.
4. Strengthen Ties with Academia: Build stronger relationships with academic institutions to encourage future collaboration and adoption of Cardano-based solutions.

Methodology

1. Survey Design:
2. Develop a comprehensive survey with sections on current publishing practices, peer-review experiences, openness to decentralized solutions, and specific questions about blockchain technology.
3. Pilot the survey with a small group of professors to ensure clarity and relevance.
4. Participant Selection:
5. Target approximately 15 universities, focusing on a mix of general professors and CS-specific professors.
6. Aim for a sample size of around 150 professors, ensuring a diverse range of disciplines and experiences.
7. Data Collection:
8. Distribute the survey through email, academic networks, and professional organizations.
9. Offer incentives for participation, such as small honoraria or recognition in future publications.
10. Data Analysis:
11. Use quantitative methods to analyze survey responses, identifying key trends and patterns.
12. Conduct follow-up interviews with select participants to gain deeper qualitative insights.
13. Reporting and Dissemination:
14. Compile a comprehensive report detailing the findings, including an analysis of professors' needs, concerns, and interest in decentralized solutions.
15. Publish the report in open-access journals and present findings at academic conferences.
16. Share results with the Cardano community and potential developers to inform future projects.

Expected Outcomes

1. In-depth Understanding: Gain a deeper understanding of the academic publishing community's needs, concerns, and openness to decentralized solutions.
2. Actionable Insights: Provide actionable insights to developers and the Cardano community on how to design and implement decentralized academic publishing systems.
3. Enhanced Collaboration: Foster stronger relationships with academic institutions, paving the way for future collaborations and adoption of Cardano-based solutions.
4. Strategic Positioning: Position Cardano as a leader in decentralized academic publishing, demonstrating its potential to address real-world challenges in the academic community.

Timeline

1. Month 1-2: Survey design and pilot testing.
2. Month 3-4: Survey distribution and data collection.
3. Month 5: Data analysis and follow-up interviews.
4. Month 6-8: Reporting, dissemination, and community engagement.

Budget

• Survey Design and Pilot Testing: 5,000 ADA
• Participant Incentives: 10,000 ADA
• Data Collection and Analysis: 15,000 ADA
• Reporting and Dissemination: 10,000 ADA
• Project Management and Overheads: 10,000 ADA
• Contingency Fund: 5,000 ADA

Total Requested Funds: 75,000 ADA

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community

1. Enhanced Understanding of Academic Needs: By surveying professors across various disciplines, we will gain valuable insights into the academic publishing community's pain points, needs, and concerns. This knowledge will help guide the development of decentralized publishing solutions on Cardano, ensuring they are tailored to meet real-world demands.
2. Increased Adoption of Cardano: By addressing the specific needs of the academic community, our project will encourage more academics and researchers to explore and adopt Cardano-based solutions. This can lead to increased usage of the Cardano blockchain for academic publishing and peer review, showcasing its potential in solving complex problems in academia.
3. Fostering Collaboration: Building stronger ties with academic institutions will open up opportunities for future collaborations and partnerships. This will not only benefit the Cardano ecosystem but also promote interdisciplinary research and innovation, leveraging the strengths of both blockchain technology and academic research.
4. Positioning Cardano as a Leader: Demonstrating Cardano's potential to address the challenges in academic publishing will position it as a forward-thinking and innovative blockchain platform. This can attract more developers, researchers, and institutions to the Cardano ecosystem, enhancing its credibility and reputation.
5. Informing Future Development: The insights gathered from the survey will provide actionable recommendations for developers working on decentralized academic publishing solutions. This will ensure that future projects are better aligned with the needs of the academic community, increasing their chances of success and adoption.

Measuring Impact

To ensure that our project delivers the intended positive impact, we will implement the following measurement strategies:

1. Survey Response Rate: Track the number of completed surveys to ensure we reach our target of approximately 150 professors. A high response rate will indicate successful engagement with the academic community.
2. Survey Coverage: Analyze the demographic and disciplinary diversity of survey respondents to ensure a representative sample. This will help us understand the needs and concerns of a broad range of academics.
3. Qualitative Feedback: Collect qualitative feedback through follow-up interviews with select participants. This will provide deeper insights into the survey responses and highlight specific areas for improvement and innovation.
4. Report Dissemination: Measure the reach and impact of our final report by tracking downloads, citations, and mentions in academic and blockchain communities. This will indicate the level of interest and engagement with our findings.
5. Community Engagement: Track the engagement of the Cardano community with our findings through forum discussions, social media interactions, and participation in presentations and workshops. High levels of engagement will demonstrate the relevance and importance of our research to the community.
6. Academic Collaborations: Track the establishment of new collaborations and partnerships with academic institutions as a direct result of our project. This will demonstrate the project's success in fostering stronger ties with academia.

Our project aims to make a significant positive impact on the Cardano community by providing valuable insights into the academic publishing landscape and guiding the development of decentralized solutions. By measuring our impact through a variety of metrics, we will ensure that our work delivers tangible benefits and fosters innovation and collaboration within the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Agnostica, a Research-as-a-Service (RaaS) consultancy, is uniquely positioned to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. Our team brings together a wealth of expertise and a proven track record in research, technology, and project management, ensuring that we can execute this project successfully.

Robert Danielson, Ph.D.: As Aganostica's Chief Research Officer and Lead Researcher, Robert has over a decade of experience in educational psychology and research methodologies. With more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and nearly $2 million in research funding from prestigious institutions like the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, Robert is well-versed in conducting rigorous and impactful research. His experience on editorial boards of reputable journals further enhances our capability to engage with the academic community effectively.

Alexander James, M.A.: Agnostica CEO and Technical Program Manager has over a decade of experience in technology product management and content development. His background includes leading successful projects in diverse settings, from startups to government agencies, ensuring that our project management practices are robust and effective. His graduate-level training in qualitative research methodologies complements Robert's expertise, providing a comprehensive skill set for this project.

1. Strong Track Record:
2. Successful Past Projects: Agnostica has a history of delivering high-quality research and technology projects. Our previous work includes systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and technology implementations that have been well-received by both academic and industry audiences.
3. Community Engagement: We have actively engaged with the Cardano community through various forums and platforms, building a reputation for transparency and reliability. Our ongoing communication with stakeholders ensures that we remain aligned with community needs and expectations.
4. Commitment to Open Access:
5. Open Source and Transparency: We are committed to publishing our research findings and methodologies in open access formats, ensuring that our work is freely available to the Cardano community and beyond. This commitment to transparency enhances trust and allows for broader scrutiny and validation of our work.

Feasibility Validation

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will implement a robust framework that ensures the reliability and effectiveness of our research methodology and project execution.

1. Pilot Testing:
2. Survey Instrument Validation: Before deploying the full survey, we will conduct pilot tests with a smaller group of professors to refine the survey instrument. This will help identify and address any issues related to question clarity, response options, and overall survey design.
3. Feedback Incorporation: Feedback from the pilot tests will be used to make necessary adjustments to the survey, ensuring that it accurately captures the information we seek to gather.
4. Stakeholder Engagement:
5. Regular Updates: We will provide regular progress updates to the Cardano community, soliciting feedback and input at key stages of the project. This iterative approach will allow us to make adjustments as needed and maintain accountability to our stakeholders.
6. Data Quality Assurance:
7. Rigorous Data Collection: We will implement strict protocols for data collection, including secure storage and anonymization of survey responses to protect participant confidentiality.
8. Comprehensive Analysis: Our team will use advanced data analysis techniques to ensure that the insights drawn from the survey are accurate and meaningful. This will include both quantitative and qualitative analyses to capture a holistic view of the academic community's perspectives.
9. Impact Assessment:
10. Measurable Outcomes: As outlined in our impact section, we will track a range of metrics to assess the project's success and impact. This includes survey response rates, diversity of responses, qualitative feedback, and community engagement metrics.
11. Iterative Improvement: Based on the feedback and data collected, we will continuously refine our approach to maximize the project's impact and relevance. This iterative process will ensure that our final outputs are of the highest quality and utility.

Agnostica's combination of research expertise, strong track record, and commitment to open access and transparency positions us well to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. By validating the feasibility of our approach through pilot testing, stakeholder engagement, data quality assurance, and impact assessment, we are confident in our ability to achieve meaningful and impactful outcomes for the Cardano community.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Survey Design and Pilot Testing

A: Milestone Outputs

• Development of a comprehensive survey instrument tailored to gather insights from professors on decentralized academic publishing.
• Completion of a pilot test with selected participants to refine the survey based on initial feedback.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• The survey must cover all relevant aspects of academic publishing concerns, interests in decentralization, and potential for blockchain application.
• Pilot feedback should indicate that the survey is clear, understandable, and capable of gathering the necessary information effectively.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Documented survey instrument ready for broader distribution.
• Compiled feedback report from pilot participants detailing improvements and final adjustments made to the survey.

Milestone 2: Full Survey Deployment and Data Collection

A: Milestone Outputs

• Successful deployment of the refined survey across targeted academic institutions.
• Collection of responses from approximately 150 professors across 15 universities.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• A minimum response rate of 70% to ensure statistical significance and diversity of insights.
• Data collected must be robust, comprehensive, and align with the objectives set out in the survey design.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Completed dataset of responses ready for analysis.
• Documentation of the distribution and response rate, including engagement metrics from each participating institution.

Milestone 3: Data Analysis and Reporting

A: Milestone Outputs

• Thorough analysis of survey data to extract meaningful insights and trends regarding decentralized academic publishing.
• Preparation of a detailed report outlining findings, potential applications for blockchain, and specific recommendations for the Cardano platform.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Analysis must provide clear insights into the academic community's needs and perceptions concerning decentralized publishing.
• The report must be comprehensive, well-organized, and ready for publication and dissemination within academic and blockchain communities.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Final report with analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Presentation materials prepared for dissemination to stakeholders and the Cardano community.

Milestone 4: Dissemination and Community Engagement

A: Milestone Outputs

• Publication of the final report in open-access journals and presentation at relevant academic and blockchain conferences.
• Engagement activities such as webinars, workshops, and interactive sessions with the academic community and Cardano stakeholders to discuss findings and explore future directions.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successful publication of the report and acceptance for presentations at at least two conferences.
• High engagement levels in planned community activities, with positive feedback from participants indicating a better understanding of the potential for decentralized solutions in academic publishing.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Links to publications and conference presentations.
• Summaries of feedback and outcomes from engagement activities, including participant numbers and qualitative assessments of their responses.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Robert Danielson, PhD - Lead Researcher

• Role: Robert will lead the research design, data collection, and analysis for the survey on decentralized academic publications.
• Background: Robert is an educational psychologist with over a decade of experience in research. He has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and secured nearly $2 million in funding through the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. His extensive experience in educational research and his editorial board memberships ensure that he can rigorously oversee the survey's design and implementation.

Alexander James, MA - Technical Program Manager and Content Developer

• Role: Alexander will manage the project, including planning, execution, and overseeing content development related to the research findings. He will also consult on qualitative research methods and ensure the effective dissemination of results.
• Background: Alexander has over ten years of experience as a technical program manager and content developer, with a Master's degree focusing on ethnographic and phenomenological research methodologies. His professional expertise includes leading successful technology adoption and value-realization projects across various settings, from startups to government agencies.

Both team members have been actively engaging with the Cardano community via Discord, ensuring robust communication lines with the necessary resources. They are prepared to undergo any required 'proof of life' verifications and meet all other requirements to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the project.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1. Researcher and Project Team Compensation:

• Research and Survey Design: 20,000 ADA
• Time and effort for developing the survey methodology and designing the survey tools.
• Survey Distribution and Data Collection: 15,000 ADA
• Coordinating survey distribution, follow-ups, and managing responses from approximately 150 professors.
• Data Analysis and Report Preparation: 20,000 ADA
• Analyzing the data, drawing insights, and preparing a comprehensive report.

2. Consultation and Expert Fees:

• Blockchain and Academic Publishing Experts: 5,000 ADA
• Consulting with experts to refine survey questions and methodology.

3. Participant Incentives:

• Incentives for Professors: 10,000 ADA
• Incentives for survey participants to ensure a high response rate, estimated at 60 ADA per participant.

4. Miscellaneous Expenses:

• Survey Software Licenses and Tools: 2,000 ADA
• Licensing necessary software for survey distribution and data analysis.
• Workshops and Webinars: 3,000 ADA
• Organizing webinars and workshops to engage the academic community and discuss the findings.

Total Budget Requested:

• Total: 75,000 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Our request for 75,000 ADA represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem for several key reasons:

1. Strategic Research for Long-Term Impact:

• In-Depth Understanding: The comprehensive survey will provide crucial insights into the academic publishing community's needs, concerns, and potential adoption of decentralized solutions. This foundational knowledge is invaluable for steering future developments in the Cardano ecosystem towards addressing real-world challenges in academic publishing.
• Evidence-Based Roadmap: The findings will inform a clear, evidence-based roadmap for developing a decentralized academic publication platform on Cardano. This reduces the risk of project misalignment and ensures resources are utilized effectively in subsequent phases.

2. Strengthening Academic and Blockchain Synergies:

• Academic Engagement: By directly engaging with professors from various universities, we are fostering stronger ties between the academic community and Cardano. This can lead to increased awareness and adoption of Cardano among academics, who are key influencers in research and technological advancements.
• Token Economy Potential: Exploring how tokenization on Cardano can incentivize participation in the peer review process opens up innovative use cases for ADA, potentially increasing its utility and value within the academic sector.

3. Cost-Effective Resource Allocation:

• Researcher Compensation: The bulk of the budget is allocated to compensating experienced researchers who will ensure the project is carried out with high levels of rigor and professionalism. This investment in expertise guarantees high-quality outcomes that can significantly benefit the Cardano community.
• Participant Incentives: Providing incentives to survey participants ensures a high response rate and quality data, which is crucial for the reliability of our research findings.
• Efficient Use of Tools: Allocating funds for necessary survey tools and software licenses ensures that we can efficiently collect and analyze data without unnecessary overheads.

4. Potential for Broad Adoption and Future Projects:

• Open Source Outputs: All research findings and insights will be published in open access journals and platforms, ensuring that the knowledge gained is freely available to the Cardano community and beyond. This transparency fosters trust and enables other developers and researchers to build on our work.
• Catalyst for Innovation: By demonstrating a successful use case for blockchain in academic publishing, we pave the way for future projects and collaborations within the Cardano ecosystem. This can attract more developers, researchers, and institutions to explore Cardano for various decentralized applications.

5. Measurable Impact:

• Quantifiable Outcomes: The project’s impact will be measured through the number of survey responses, the depth of insights gained, and the level of engagement with the academic community. This provides clear metrics to evaluate the project's success and its contribution to the Cardano ecosystem.

In summary, the requested 75,000 ADA is a prudent investment that leverages the expertise of our team, fosters important academic relationships, and lays the groundwork for innovative applications of blockchain technology in academic publishing. The value generated by this project extends beyond immediate outputs, positioning Cardano as a leader in addressing critical issues in the academic world and driving long-term adoption and innovation.