Mala ciencia en agencias gubernamentales

Abstract

Two of the most important governmental agencies (FECYT and ANECA) that are very relevant for the Spanish science and technology system, have carried out activities and published services and tools guided by bad science. The FECYT journal ranking is using a composite indicator that is mathematically aberrant, while the report on open access publishers commissioned by ANECA is using incorrect criteria for describing non-standard behaviour that in fact is a common feature of any specialized journal. Although supported by legitimate political decisions, such tools are technically incorrect and they can cause serious damage to researchers, journals and institutions in both the short and long term.