Scientific Irreproducibility and Public Policy
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CounterCurrent: Week of 12/15
Scientific Irreproducibility and Public Policy
CounterCurrent is the National Association of Scholars’ weekly newsletter, bringing you the biggest issues in academia and our responses to them.
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Category: Irreproducibility; Reading Time: ~2 minutes
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** Featured Article - Better government begins with transparent information by Rick Manning ([link removed][UNIQID])
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Here at the NAS, we are deeply concerned about the irreproducibility crisis of modern science ([link removed][UNIQID]) , that is to say, the degradation of the sciences through the increased proliferation of unreliable and irreproducible research. Scientific findings can be sullied in a variety of ways, however the most common include the flawed use of statistics, the influence of political groupthink, and a scientific culture biased toward producing positive results. While it is dangerous enough that this problem hinders scientific advancement within academia, it doesn’t stop there; the irreproducibility crisis also has tangible effects on public policy.
It’s standard practice for policymakers on both sides of the aisle to rely heavily on scientific data in order to craft legislation that is both precise and effective. However, this assumes that the data with which they are working is actually reliable. Especially when dealing with issues that are inherently scientific, such as climate change, those drafting legislation often knowingly use shoddy research to justify their party’s political goals. What’s worse, under current law, they are not even required to disclose the research they are using, preventing meaningful accountability. This leads to laws and regulations that are not grounded in reality, simultaneously damaging scientific credibility and placing significant financial burden on American consumers and businesses, who are estimated to spend up to $2 trillion dollars annually to comply with government regulations ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
In this week’s featured article ([link removed][UNIQID]) , The Hill’s Rick Manning further details the irreproducibility crisis’ effect on public policy, as well as potential reforms proposed by the Heritage Foundation, the EPA, and President Trump. The NAS has also outlined our own recommendations here ([link removed][UNIQID]) . Essential to solving the irreproducibility problem is the requirement of policy makers to fully disclose the scientific research they are using, as well as why they are using it, such that said research can be independently reproduced and validated by the broader scientific community. This will also incentivize scientists to produce better research, as they will know that their work is subject to far greater scrutiny. In short, strict reproducibility requirements, among reforming additional incentives such as the rush
to publish, will lead to better science, and better science will lead to better policy, a win-win for the scientific community and the American citizenry at large.
Until next week.
John David
Communications Associate
National Association of Scholars
P.S. If you are particularly interested in irreproducibility, please consider attending our conference “Fixing Science: Practical Solutions for the Irreproducibility Crisis” on February 7-8 in Oakland, CA. Details on speakers and registration can be found here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
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For more on the irreproducibility crisis of modern science:
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February 7-8, 2020
** Fixing Science: Practical Solutions for the Irreproducibility Crisis ([link removed][UNIQID])
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NAS
Join the National Association of Scholars and the Independent Institute as we bring together scientists, academics, government officials, and philanthropists to discuss practical ways to fix how scientists work.
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October 03, 2019
** 'Secret Science' Rule Delayed Until Next Year ([link removed][UNIQID])
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David Randall
Last month the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency announce that the proposed rule "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science would not be finalized before 2020. This development has led to speculation the reform is will disappear into bureaucratic limbo.
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September 19, 2019
** Bad Science Makes for Bad Government ([link removed][UNIQID])
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David Randall
The government needs to form rules to ensure that the exercise of scientific expertise can itself be independently reproduced and verified.
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January 03, 2019
** Don't Ignore Government's Contribution to the Reproduction Crisis ([link removed][UNIQID])
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David Randall
Science continues to evade its complicity in the irreproducibility crisis.
** About the NAS
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