Solving the problem of traditional academic publishing: a decentralized, Cardano-based alternative

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Agnostica

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

6

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

No

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

Cardano values peer review for scientific progress. It outperforms and is one of the most decentralized blockchains. We aim to research how to build a decentralized peer-review system using it.

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

No

[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?

Yes

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

Open Access Publication: We intend to publish the results of our research in peer-reviewed open access journals. This will not only expose our work to peer review, ensuring its quality and rigor, but also make it freely available to anyone interested in helping us then utilize this research to develop and build the solution.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We are proposing a systematic literature review to understand the state of both block chain publishing as well as the advancements in decentralized peer-review across various academic disciplines. The findings of this review will point to both viable solutions and potential pitfalls for the enactment of the decentralized peer-review system on Cardano. Final outputs may also include an early functional requirements document, as well as early UI wireframes or mock-ups.

The peer-review process is the backbone of science. Academics around the world rely on peer-reviewed manuscripts to both archive the collective progression of science as well as guidance for future scientific studies. Because this peer-review process is the gold-standard for science, Cardano likewise values peer-review for documenting its progress. However, the peer-review process is not without its flaws – there are few to no rewards for reviewing (most professors view it as “service”), there are groups that are less-well represented (with a few universities supplying most reviewers), and there is little to no accountability for poor reviewers.

As new members continue to onboard into the crypto space, we believe that the emphasis on peer-review (as opposed to the traditional move-fast-and-break-things approach of other blockchains) will ultimately draw many academics into Cardano. Many academics value decentralization (peer-review is a decentralized consensus mechanism, at its core), and Cardano outperforms and is one of the most decentralized blockchains. We aim to research how to build and improve upon a decentralized peer-review system leveraging Cardano. We believe that this solution will advance both the Cardano and Academic space.We propose a comprehensive research project to investigate the viability of developing a decentralized peer-review system on the Cardano blockchain. Our study will explore the theoretical framework and potential design of a DApp that could manage manuscript submissions, review assignments, and publication decisions in the future. Central to our research will be the examination of decentralized identifiers (DIDs) to maintain reviewer anonymity and credibility. We will also delve into how the blockchain’s immutable nature could be leveraged to record reviews, thereby creating a more reliable and transparent peer-review process. A significant part of our research will be dedicated to understanding how tokenization on the Cardano blockchain might incentivize participation and ensure the quality of reviews. This research will not involve the actual development of a DApp, but rather lay the groundwork for potential future development by exploring the feasibility, design considerations, and benefits of such a system within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Our project will have the potential to transform the Cardano community into a decentralized academic resource where academics and developers will engage with cutting edge research in a truly decentralized fashion. 

The Cardano community already contributes a significant amount of research to the academic community – with the housing of a decentralized peer-review system, we expect more academic adoption of Cardano. 

Our project aims to create a significant positive impact on the Cardano community by delivering a detailed, well-researched design for a decentralized peer-review system. This design will encapsulate functional requirements and early front-end design concepts, offering a blueprint for future development of such a system within the Cardano ecosystem.

Measuring Impact:

1. Design Quality and Relevance:
2. Expert Reviews: Engage with academic and blockchain experts to assess the quality, innovation, and practical applicability of our design. This will involve collecting detailed feedback on how well the design meets the identified needs and challenges of decentralized peer-review.
3. Community Feedback: Solicit input from the wider Cardano community, particularly from those with interest in academic research and blockchain applications, to gauge the design's relevance and potential for adoption.
4. Potential for Future Development:
5. Adoption Intentions: Track expressions of interest from developers and academic institutions in using our design as a foundation for future system development.
6. Follow-on Projects: Monitor subsequent projects or proposals within the Cardano ecosystem that build upon or reference our design work.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open Access Publication: Publish our research findings and design concepts in open access journals and platforms, ensuring widespread accessibility to the Cardano community and beyond.
• Community Engagement: Present our findings in community forums, online platforms, and Cardano-focused events to facilitate direct engagement and discussion.
• Collaborations and Partnerships: Actively seek partnerships with academic institutions and blockchain development groups to explore future development possibilities based on our design.

Value to the Cardano Community:

The success of our project will bring considerable value to the Cardano community by providing a tangible, innovative design for a decentralized peer-review system. This will not only enhance the credibility and utility of the Cardano blockchain in the academic and research domains but also pave the way for future developments that can leverage this design, leading to increased adoption and innovation within the ecosystem. Our project will demonstrate Cardano's potential in addressing complex, real-world challenges, thereby attracting more interest and investment in the platform.

[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?

Our team is uniquely positioned to deliver on this project with high levels of trust and accountability, based on our combined expertise in educational psychology, technology program management, and content development.

Robert Danielson, an educational psychologist, brings over a decade of experience in using quantitative and qualitative research methods to address learning barriers. His work, backed by over 25 peer-reviewed publications and nearly $2m in funded projects, attests to his ability to handle complex research projects with professionalism and integrity. His most recent work includes a meta-analysis of studies leveraging refutational approaches to overcoming misconceptions (funded by the National Science Foundation) and a textbook chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Educational Psychology on teaching for conceptual change. Furthermore, he currently sits on three editorial boards (linked below), testifying to his direct expertise and professional connections central to our proposal.

Robert's editorial board memberships:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/learning-and-individual-differences/about/editorial-board
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/contemporary-educational-psychology/about/editorial-board
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/learning-and-instruction/about/editorial-board

Alexander James, with his extensive experience in technology product management and content development, strengthens our project's implementation side. His track record of driving successful technology adoption and value-realization projects, in various contexts from startups to government agencies, lends credibility to our capability to deliver. His graduate-level training in qualitative research methodologies further enhances our research capacity.

We both have a clear understanding of the importance of trust and accountability in projects, particularly in the crypto space where transparency is paramount. We are committed to maintaining open communication with the Cardano community, regularly updating them on our progress, challenges, and learnings. We are also open to undergoing any necessary reviews or audits to ensure the utmost accountability.

Finally, our shared passion for the Cardano ecosystem and belief in its potential to revolutionize the way we transact and interact assures our dedication to delivering a project that truly benefits the community.

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

Milestone 1

Systematic Literature Review

Description: Conduct a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary literature review on the state of decentralized academic peer-review, adhering to the PRISMA (http://www.prisma-statement.org/) guidelines. This review will gather and synthesize existing research and case studies related to decentralized peer-review processes.

Outputs:

• A detailed report summarizing the findings of the literature review.
• Identification of key themes, trends, challenges, and opportunities in decentralized academic peer-review.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Completion of a review that covers a diverse range of relevant sources.
• The report should provide a clear synthesis of the current state of decentralized academic peer-review, highlighting gaps and areas for potential innovation.

Evidence of milestone completion:

• Report completed and submitted to academic conferences for peer-review and feedback.

Milestone 2:

Review of Academic Publishing on Blockchain

Description: Perform an in-depth review of the current state of academic publishing on the blockchain, including the peer-review mechanisms used in these publications.

Outputs:

• A comprehensive report detailing the findings of the systematic review.
• Analysis of the existing blockchain-based academic publishing models and their peer-review processes.

Acceptance Criteria:

• The report should comprehensively cover the existing blockchain-based academic publishing landscape.
• Clear analysis and identification of how current blockchain-based models address the peer-review process.

Evidence of milestone completion:

• Report completed and submitted to academic conferences for peer-review and feedback.

Milestone 3:

Interviews with Editorial Boards

Description: Conduct interviews with current and former members of editorial boards of academic journals to gather insights on potential improvements to the peer-review system and explore the feasibility of blockchain-based solutions.

Outputs:

• Summarized findings from the interviews.
• Insights into possible improvements and the applicability of a decentralized approach.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful completion of a set number of interviews with diverse representation from various academic disciplines.
• The findings should offer concrete suggestions for improving the peer-review process through decentralization.

Evidence of milestone completion:

• Findings synthesized and submitted to academic conferences for peer-review.

Milestone 4:

Publication of Findings

Description: Submit the outcomes of the first three milestones for presentation for publication in peer-reviewed, open-source journals.

Outputs:

• Conference presentations and submitted journal articles.
• Peer-reviewed publications detailing the findings of the research.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Acceptance of the presentations at relevant conferences.
• Successful publication or acceptance for publication in open-source journals.

Evidence of milestone completion:

• All presentations and feedback will be synthesized into manuscripts and submitted to peer-reviewed open access journals for publication.

Final Milestone:

Roadmap and Design Concepts

Description: Develop a roadmap outlining the path forward for decentralized peer-reviewed publishing on Cardano. This includes creating early functional requirements, UI wireframes, or mock-ups, and highlighting potential incentive structures and infrastructure needs.

Outputs:

• A comprehensive roadmap document.
• Early-stage functional requirements and design concepts (UI wireframes/mock-ups).

Acceptance Criteria:

• The roadmap should clearly outline steps and considerations for implementing a decentralized peer-review system on Cardano.
• Functional requirements and design concepts should be coherent, feasible, and in line with the findings from previous milestones.

Evidence of milestone completion:

• Roadmap and final synthesis submitted to open-access website, all findings and data made publicly available.

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

Robert Danielson, PhD - Lead Researcher

Robert is an educational psychologist with over a decade of experience utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methods to eliminate learning barriers for students ranging from 7 to 55+ years old. With a track record that includes more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and close to $2 million in funding secured through the National Science Foundation and National Institutes for Health, he is poised to bring his rigorous research methodology and passion for education to this project. His latest contribution, a book chapter on teaching for conceptual change, is set to appear in the forthcoming iteration of the handbook for conceptual change. His responsibilities in this project will involve leading the research, designing the study methodology, analyzing the data, and preparing the reports.

Alexander James, MA - Technical Program Manager and Content Developer

Alexander brings to the table over a decade of experience as a technical program manager and content developer, having worked with technology teams in various settings, from start-ups and government agencies to large tech enterprises. He also holds a Master's degree with a focus on ethnographic and phenomenological research methodologies. His academic background augments his professional acumen, positioning him uniquely in leading successful technology adoption and value-realization projects. In this project, Alexander will play a pivotal role in technical program management, including planning, execution, and overseeing the development of content related to our research findings, in addition to consulting on qualitative research methods.

Both team members are deeply committed to the project and have been actively engaging with the Cardano community via Discord, ensuring a robust communication line with the necessary resources. We understand the Catalyst funding procedures and are prepared to go through the 'proof of life' verifications and meet any other requirements.

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

Primary Researchers Compensation:

We anticipate two primary researchers (the joint applicants, Robert and Alexander, listed above) working on the project for a total of approximately 550 hours. This includes time spent on the research, development, data analysis, content creation, and distribution aspects of the project.

Breakdown:

Estimated time: 550 hours

Estimated cadence: 10 sprints, each consisting of between 10-and-12 days

Total: $18,500 per researcher

Overall: $18,500 * 2 = $37,000

Expenses & Participation Incentives:

There will be expenses related to subscriptions, fees associated with publication, and other incidental costs.

Additionally, given the importance of obtaining quality data from interview participants, some funds will be set aside to offer as participation incentives. This could help ensure high-quality responses and a broad pool of participants. We intend to pay the participants where possible in ADA, which will also serve as a validation step in some instances that they are active in the Caradno ecosystem, at least to some extent.

Breakdown:

Total: $1000

Thus we request 100,000 ADA or approximately $38,000 USD (if valued at .38 USD/ADA)

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

Value for Money Justification

• The compensation rates for the primary researchers are aligned with the average freelance rates in the academic and blockchain research industry.
• Participation incentives are crucial for obtaining high-quality data and are priced reasonably to ensure a diverse range of participants.
• Costs for third-party services are kept minimal, with a focus on essential professional services only.
• Community engagement and publicity expenses are designed to maximize the visibility and impact of the project within the Cardano ecosystem, fostering community involvement and feedback.
• The contingency fund ensures the project’s resilience against unforeseen circumstances, safeguarding the project’s completion.

Impact and Value to the Cardano Ecosystem

• The project initiates a crucial conversation about the future of academic peer-review, aligning with the scientific community's interest in more transparent and efficient publishing models. For example, current publishing companies recently posted revenues in the billions of USD (Elsevier, $3.5B; Springer Nature, $1.7B; Frontiers, $1.3B).
• Demonstrating a use case for blockchain in academic peer-review on Cardano positions the platform at the forefront of innovation, potentially increasing its adoption and utility.
• Given the revenues of major publishing companies, the project underscores the economic and academic potential of blockchain-based solutions, presenting Cardano as a viable alternative for future academic and research applications.
• Demonstrating a leading edge, public-facing use case for Blockchain on Cardano would be a huge win for the ecosystem as a whole in mainstreaming its use cases.