Science Needs Serious Repair
When I'm discussing a repair with my favorite mechanic, I gleefully display my ignorance by asking questions that must seem ridiculous to him. Fortunately, we both know that I'm uninformed, and he likes to teach. I may ask if it's possible to make a repair in a certain way, and he'll tell me why it won't work. The science industry itself is in serious need of repair. Papers get published that are plagiarized, computer generated, the results cannot be reproduced, data is omitted, unethical activity, a blatantly leftist bias that belies claims of objectivity, faulty peer review, and more. They want the spotlight for sensational results, but failures are useful information as well; scientists need to know what will not work as well as what succeeds, see?
In addition, incomplete information is presented (a frequent occurrence among evolutionary scientists and their sensationalistic press pals), but there is a lack of follow-up. Scientists as well as us reg'lar folk need adequate information to make the best possible decisions, including what not to do. Someone wants to shake things up for the better.
Image cropped from Pixabay / Skitterphoto |
A noted advocate of science integrity is leading a team of experts on a program to improve scientific practice and clean up serious failings.To finish reading, click on "Time to Overhaul Science".
The Stanford Medicine News Service has big news: “Researchers announce master plan for better science.” The initiative will be led by John Ioannidis, MD, DSc, professor of medicine and of health research and policy at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
We’ve heard from Ioannidis before. He shocked the research establishment a dozen years ago, claiming “Most published research findings are false.” More recently, he complained that “the scientific reward system needs to change”. Last year, his influence led to widespread recognition that “Widespread failure to reproduce research results has triggered a crisis of confidence in research findings, eroding public trust in scientific methodology.”