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The scientific process, in its ideal form, is elegant: Ask a question, set up an objective test, and get an answer. Repeat. Science is rarely practiced to that ideal. But Copernicus believed in that ideal. So did the rocket scientists behind the moon landing.
But nowadays, our respondents told us, the process is riddled with conflict. Scientists say they're forced to prioritize self-preservation over pursuing the best questions and uncovering meaningful truths.
Today, scientists' success often isn't measured by the quality of their questions or the rigor of their methods. It's instead measured by how much grant money they win, the number of studies they publish, and how they spin their findings to appeal to the public.
Scientists often learn more from studies that fail. But failed studies can mean career death. So instead, they're incentivized to generate positive results they can publish. And the phrase "publish or perish" hangs over nearly every decision. It's a nagging whisper, like a Jedi's path to the dark side.
"Over time the most successful people will be those who can best exploit the system," Paul Smaldino, a cognitive science professor at University of California Merced, says.
Many scientists have had enough. They want to break this cycle of perverse incentives and rewards. They are going through a period of introspection, hopeful that the end result will yield stronger scientific institutions. In our survey and interviews, they offered a wide variety of ideas for improving the scientific process and bringing it closer to its ideal form.
Before we jump in, some caveats to keep in mind: Our survey was not a scientific poll. For one, the respondents disproportionately hailed from the biomedical and social sciences and English-speaking communities.
Many of the responses did, however, vividly illustrate the challenges and perverse incentives that scientists across fields face. And they are a valuable starting point for a deeper look at dysfunction in science today.
The 7 problems identified are:
1) Academia has a huge money problem
2) Too many studies are poorly designed
3) Replicating results is crucial — and rare
4) Peer review is broken
5) Too much science is locked behind paywalls
6) Science is poorly communicated
7) Life as a young academic is incredibly stressful
It seems to me, that, much of this is already known to most scientists. However, this cycle of publish or perish continues unabated. What do you think should be done to change this mindset ?
http://www.vox.com/2016/7/14/12016710/science-challeges-research-funding-peer-review-process
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 18 2016, @05:11AM
Football and basketball pay the bills at the big state universities, as well as many private ones.
(Score: 2) by Capt. Obvious on Monday July 18 2016, @05:48AM
Sports at most universities fail to cover their own costs. And when they do, coaches ask for raises until that error is fixed.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 18 2016, @05:50AM
Wrong, just absolutely factually wrong. No University athletic program has ever broke even, let alone produced a profit. Now some may argue that there is some cross-over to actual programs in terms of alumnae giving, but I say fuck the football fans, they are failure of whatever University they allegedly graduated from, and really belong in a highschool. So, are we clear about this, Jocky McJockface? Take your sports, and give my University the money that you stole back!!!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 18 2016, @03:22PM
No University athletic program has ever broke even, let alone produced a profit. Now some may argue that there is some cross-over to actual programs in terms of alumnae giving,
What do you think I was talking about, ticket sales?
(Score: 2) by rondon on Monday July 18 2016, @04:43PM
I think you are spouting useless trash disguised as fact. Please show me the factual information that supports your position.
(Score: 1) by bucket58 on Monday July 18 2016, @05:50PM
> Wrong, just absolutely factually wrong. No University athletic program has ever broke even, let alone produced a profit.
Maybe you should look at the numbers again. You are absolutely factually wrong in saying that athletics departments cant turn a profit.
http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances [usatoday.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 19 2016, @12:50AM
The main problem with sports is that it introduces toxic incentives at institutions which are supposed to be about academics.