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danapillar 's review for:
Science Fictions
by Stuart Ritchie
Very accessible critique of the current research and science-publishing system. It expresses an admiration for the scientific method whilst describing how it has been weakened by perverse incentives, producing an outcome- rather than process-orientated system. These outcomes are sometimes of low quality. In the best case scenario the research is repeated, causing animals to suffer and resources to be wasted. In the worst of cases, replications are discouraged by publishers, preserving incorrect notions and wasting human lives in the pursuit of speed.
My one gripe with the book is that it provides solutions to these problems that I have seen before and seen ignored for years as people who could make a difference by encouraging these policies end up embedded within the repetitive cycle. People doing considerate, well planned science are disadvantaged in the competitive job market that uses publication number not quality to rank applicants leading to a "natural selection of bad science".
Are there other feasible ways to encourage honestly in the research community? Or do all dispersed, self-organising, "self-regulating" systems encourage unscrupulous and selfish behaviour as they outcompete all others.
My one gripe with the book is that it provides solutions to these problems that I have seen before and seen ignored for years as people who could make a difference by encouraging these policies end up embedded within the repetitive cycle. People doing considerate, well planned science are disadvantaged in the competitive job market that uses publication number not quality to rank applicants leading to a "natural selection of bad science".
Are there other feasible ways to encourage honestly in the research community? Or do all dispersed, self-organising, "self-regulating" systems encourage unscrupulous and selfish behaviour as they outcompete all others.