COVID-19 and the vaccines against it demonstrated very clearly the importance of conveying not only R&D but also the responsibility of the stakeholders of R&D (https://www.who.int/observatories/global-observatory-on-health-research-and-development/analyses-and-syntheses/who-r-d-blueprint/who-mapping-of-r-d-stakeholders) and the end-users what concerns Quality Assurance ‘QA’.
Traditionally, the conventional approaches in R&D are having an internal ‘QA’ by Peer Review systems (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_review), e.g. in journals, funding organisations and patent-offices. The function of peer review is to evaluate the R&D by people with similar competences, i.e. peers. So, it is self-regulation by qualified experts within the relevant field in order to assure high-quality standards, enhance performance in R&D and certify reliability and credibility in the science and technology. These are often used to determine the suitability for academic publication in different types of activities in various fields or professions, e.g. medical peer reviews.
The ongoing Information Revolution promoted the expansion of the social media, improved access to knowledge through the World Wide Web ‘WWW’ and enhanced quality of Google search motors. At the same time we are experiencing a fast development in the fourth industrial revolution empowered by Artificial Intelligence ‘AI’ and Machine Learning ‘ML’ where Internet-of-Things ‘IOT’ is allowing more and more greater refinement and enhancement in social media tools.
Closing the gap between R&D through Open Access and Social Media instruments are essential parts of the Revolution in the Information Communication Technologies ‘ICT’. This unprecedented revolution is also important for improving the quality of R&D what regards the safety and security of the global citizens on the one hand, for the promotion and implementation of the UN-SDGs on the other hand.
A timely example is the involvement of the global population in how good is good what regards the vaccines against COVID-19. Read more about clear links between AstraZeneca and rate blood clots (https://youtu.be/dn8JS1ODlwY) and associated possible recommendations (https://youtu.be/dn8JS1ODlwY).
