Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the research environment and motivation of researchers in Japan

Yasuhiro Miki; Natsuko Chubachi; Fumihiko Imamura; Nobuo Yaegashi; Kiyoshi Ito

Progress in Disaster Science (Dec 2020)

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the research environment and motivation of researchers in Japan

Yasuhiro Miki,
Natsuko Chubachi,
Fumihiko Imamura,
Nobuo Yaegashi,
Kiyoshi Ito

Affiliations

Yasuhiro Miki: Research Field of Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan; Corresponding author at: Research Field of Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, 3-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan.
Natsuko Chubachi: Public Relations Office, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
Fumihiko Imamura: Research Field of Tsunami Engineering, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
Nobuo Yaegashi: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
Kiyoshi Ito: Research Field of Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan; Disaster Medical Science Group, Core Research Cluster of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8
p. 100128

Abstract

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The environment surrounding researchers has changed significantly in the face of COVID-19 restrictions. An online self-reported questionnaire was completed by 10,557 participants between June 15 and 19, 2020. The impact on work/research activities and harassments under COVID-19 conditions was higher among researchers (1963) compared to non-researchers (8572). We further examined the effect of COVID-19 restrictions on 300 researchers. Women were significantly more likely to report being harassed than males. The overall “decrease in research motivation” was higher in women. The restrictions on research activities because of COVID-19 restrictions caused future anxiety and a decrease in research motivation.

Published in Progress in Disaster Science

ISSN: 2590-0617 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences; Social Sciences: Social sciences (General)
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/progress-in-disaster-science/

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