Kristanto2025SBAFCSE

Title

Structure-Behavior-Action Framework for Coherent Scientific Enterprise
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Authors

Daniel Kristanto, Adam Craig, Carl Taswell

Affiliations

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg Germany; Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong China; Brain Health Alliance Virtual Institute, Ladera Ranch, California, USA.

Abstract

The scientific community aims to produce cumulative knowledge. However, systemic inefficiencies, such as the fragmentation of research findings and the replication crisis, often hinder this goal. Here, we examine the Structure-Behavior-Action (SBA) framework, a paradigm evolving from engineering systems design, to diagnose these challenges. While the engineering-based Structure-Behavior-Function (SBF) model describes deterministic machines, the SBA framework is uniquely suited to social systems because it accounts for cognitive agents. The framework posits that a system’s structure constrains the behavior of its actors, which determines the system's outcomes. We argue that the current scientific enterprise suffers from flaws in two such structures: disjointed knowledge management systems and misaligned incentives that prioritize quantity over quality. For example, fragmented literature prevents comprehensive review, while pressure to publish encourages the production of substandard reports. To address these issues, we advocate for restructuring the scientific ecosystem. We discuss the use of decentralized information structures, such as the Nexus-PORTAL-DOORS-Scribe (NPDS) Cyberinfrastructure, to create accessible community knowledge spaces. Furthermore, we supplement traditional bibliometrics with Fair Acknowledgment of Information Record (FAIR) Metrics, which quantitatively measure the quality and reproducibility of individual reports. By redesigning these foundational structures, we can foster a more cooperative environment that ensures the cumulative advancement of science.

KeyPhrases

Research ethics, scientific integrity, Structure-Behavior-Action Framework, NPDS Cyberinfrastructue, FAIR Metrics.

Dates

Created 2025-08-19, presented 2025-10-09, updated 2025-12- 10, published 2025-12-10.

Citation

Brainiacs Journal 2025 Volume 6 Issue 3 Edoc Q273E0FA6
DOI: 10.48085/Q273E0FA6
NPDS: LINKS/Brainiacs/Kristanto2025SBAFCSE