The work of science is generally carried out in institutions that create the conditions for research and scholarship to flourish. Those institutions, principally universities—but also including research institutes, private corporations, and some other entities—have created structures and mechanisms to evaluate the work of scientists. At universities—where in the U.S. most of the work of science is done—scientists are typically professors who advance through the ranks as assistant, associate, and full professors. Institutional review committees evaluate the contribution of the scientist to move them along the path to promotion.
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