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RACA JOURNAL SEEKS INPUT ON PEER REVIEW PLATFORM
By Benjamin Brits
Several questions continually arise from various sources , meetings or presentations indicating that there is definitely scope for continual knowledge and idea transfer .
Based on a great suggestion from one of the RACA Journal readers , further engagement revealed that there is an obvious requirement for not only knowledge , but also the desire to have input into other ’ s innovative ideas . Many questions arise that are related to a new and / or different way of approaching situations or challenges that designers , engineers or technicians may wish to receive feedback on , while the answers , opinions or guidance most often lies within the industry .
We are therefore asking for participation to determine if a platform of this type would be welcomed and supported by the industry . The concept would entail a platform where individuals could float their new and innovative ideas or concepts to receive feedback or input into their ideas , directly from the industry .
The feedback would be open to all industry members who believe they could contribute to the subject matter , answer the questions posed , and / or provide constructive information , ideabuilding or further opinions backed by solid facts . Alternatively , contributors could seek to obtain more information on the subject under discussion for further evaluation . This platform would aim to encourage young or aspiring industry members to put their ideas out there for review by peers or essentially what is termed ‘ crowd-sourced responses ’.
This platform could further result in a discussion forum of several topics where any new ideas and concepts could be aired and receive two-way communication flow exchanged over time .
The platform could further play host for solutions to problems experienced in the office , factory , or field to receive advice over from industry members who may have experienced similar problems and discovered better solutions or end-results . Further , uncommon engineering or design problems could be put forward to peers on such a platform to identify a best solution .
The best ideas and information exchange would be evaluated and published in the RACA Journal once conclusion has been reached . Opportunities for sponsorships or prizes will also be considered .
The intention of this platform at the end of the day would hopefully provoke the successful peer review structures seen in other countries to again find its way to this country as South Africa is known to have some of the best HVACR technical expertise in the world .
This concept will be executed via an electronic / online platform and will naturally be guided by certain rules and best practice elements .
Should you believe this is a concept worth pursuing , or would like to know more , please respond via the details below or with yes or no including a subject line of ‘ peer review platform ’ to : + 27 82 940 0701 | benjamin @ interactmedia . co . za RACA
Creative Commons | Unsplash | Charles Deluvio
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I October 2021 3