Serious question: What is the point of this site?
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Science Is Broken
11–20 of 29 posts
Re: Science Is Broken
#12Skimmed around the site for all of 30 seconds and saw this [1]:
> Only 0.1% of published exploratory research is estimated to be reproducible.
Which sounds downright absurd. Only one in one thousand studies are even in principle able to be performed again? So I followed the reference.
As far as I can tell, it doesn't say that. Based on skimming the reference[2], I think the 0.1% number comes from the section "An Example: Science at Low Pre-Study Odds".
It is not talking about reproducibility, it is talking about p-values. It is not talking about studies in general, it is talking about a specific type of study (whole genome association). It assumes statistical mistakes are made on purpose, as opposed to estimating how often this is done in reality, and that the prior probability of a given association being true is 10^-4. The example-of-a-bad-study study barely moves that probability to 1.5 * 10^-4 (that's why it's a good example of a bad study), which the quote rounds back down to 0.1%.
The quote is an egregious exaggerations, especially for a site criticizing a method of gaining knowledge. Hopefully the whole site is not like that.
1: http://www.scienceisbroken.org/posts/30 edit: it appears that the fact changes every time. I don't know how to link it.
2: http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal...
Re: Science Is Broken
#13Serious question: What is the point of this site?
Classic science was conducted to gain knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Modern 'science' is conducted to serve an economic purpose. Classic science is on the decline in favor of result-driven studies.
Arguable, but let's assume that is true.
It still doesn't tell me the purpose of this site. Are they trying to raise awareness? Affect change? Is it a feeler probe to test a niche website? Are they religious fundamentalists who want to decry science in the name of god?
I don't know, so I asked.
Re: Science Is Broken
#14Immediately reminded me of #stillnotsignificant:
http://mchankins.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/still-not-signific...
(see also the hashtag on Twitter)
Re: Science Is Broken
#15Skimmed around the site for all of 30 seconds and saw this [1]: > Only 0.1% of published exploratory research is estimated to be reproducible. Which sounds downright absurd . Only one in one thousand studies are even in principle able to be performed again? So I followed the reference. As far as I can tell, it doesn't say that. Based on skimming the reference[2], I think the 0.1% number comes from the section "An Exa…
Science is broken is broken.
Re: Science Is Broken
#16I don't understand the purpose of this website. Yes, universities, the government and certain institutions fail at science (we all are aware of the publishing rat race and countless instances of misplaced priorities). However, scientific progress is incredible & undeniable and to discredit it due to the angst of certain people is weak. If you love science and are sick of academia, you have options, or make your own options. I have a problem with this website because its simply a bi%$#fest.
Re: Science Is Broken
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
> For instance I was surprised that a postdoc scientist makes roughly the same as a McDonalds Store Manager (~$39k). The joys of supply and demand.
The McDonald's Store Manager is helping feed people. What is the average postdoc doing for the world? (I say this as a postdoc)
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Re: Science Is Broken
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
> For instance I was surprised that a postdoc scientist makes roughly the same as a McDonalds Store Manager (~$39k). The joys of supply and demand.
The McDonald's Store Manager is helping feed people. What is the average postdoc doing for the world? (I say this as a postdoc)
Getting ready to feed the souls of people with high-energetic food called THOUGHT.
Re: Science Is Broken
#19Serious question: What is the point of this site?
It looks like it's trying to generate activism and awareness about funding cuts due to the pending sequester, honestly.
Re: Science Is Broken
#20"We want free government money" -Everyone
Science may be broken, but a lot of these sound like first world problems. Academic books aren't purchased for me either!