Andrea Schweitzer makes a strong case, in her Prospects article, for independently pursuing science outside academia (Nature 464, 945; 2010). Another bonus is the freedom to pursue lines of inquiry that run counter to prevailing paradigms.

It is not easy for a researcher to question accepted dogma, particularly if one is dependent on the good will of search committees and grant-awarding agencies. These often contain individuals with a vested interest in the status quo.

There are several lines of investigation open to an independent scholar with limited resources. These include theoretical studies, for challenging existing theories and creating new ones; reanalysis of previously published results, to investigate alternative conclusions; computer simulations, particularly useful for quantitative evaluation of theories; and metastudies or literature reviews, to find out the extent to which the overall data support a generally accepted interpretation.

To be free to think and write without consideration for funding or promotion is a substantial benefit. Such research is not necessarily easy — for example, an independent affiliation may be an obstacle to publication. But it does allow the exploration of wider areas of research that are not generally pursued by those constrained in academic careers.