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Category Archives: Research Ethics
Nov 4 2013
Impact-monitoring research leads to clear EU policy recommendations to improve services for children of prisoners.
Leave a commentIn England and Wales there are an estimated 200,000 children with a parent in prison, and on any given day, an estimated 800,000 children have a parent in prison in the European Union. The COPING team argue that this area … Continue reading
Posted by: November 4, 2013
Tagged with: Europe, mental health, research methods
Oct 31 2013
There is sufficient evidence to suggest Whitehall is leaning on researchers to produce politically useful research.
2 CommentsThe quality of scientific evidence in government heavily depends upon the independent assessment of research. Pressure from those commissioning the research may pose a threat to scientific integrity and rigorous policy-making. Edward Page reports that whilst there is strong evidence of government leaning, … Continue reading
Posted by: October 31, 2013
Sep 24 2013
Registered Reports: a new publishing initiative aimed at countering publication bias.
3 CommentsA publishing initiative launched earlier this year by the journal Cortex re-establishes the crucial importance of the scientific method. By asking scientists to register their proposed study, it ensures that papers are not judged depending on whether the results support … Continue reading
Posted by: September 24, 2013
Tagged with: publication bias, registered reports, Scientific Method
Jul 25 2013
Is scientific misconduct increasing? Retraction rates may present more questions than answers.
5 CommentsDrawing on the research from his recent study into rising retraction rates R. Grant Steen argues retractions alone may be a poor surrogate measure of scientific misconduct. Science cultures are shifting to become more aware of certain “crimes” and publishing cultures may … Continue reading
Posted by: July 25, 2013
Tagged with: misconduct, retraction rates
Jul 19 2013
The ‘Call for Participants’ platform connects researchers with participants so as to improve the efficiency and accuracy of research trials.
6 CommentsCallforparticipants.com is a free online tool designed to address the many challenges faced by researchers in finding appropriate sample sizes for trials as well as helping participants looking to get more involved. Matthew Terrell and Martin Kruusimägi provide an overview of the platform, … Continue reading
Posted by: July 19, 2013
Tagged with: research participants
Jul 9 2013
Experimental social psychology relies too heavily on sample findings from undergraduate students
1 CommentThe leading journals for experimental social psychology rely disproportionally on undergraduate students for their findings. James Hartley argues necessary steps need to be taken to widen the sample size to restore credibility to the studies and to the discipline as a … Continue reading
Posted by: July 9, 2013
Tagged with: experimental social psychology
Jul 4 2013
Universities are crucial spaces to foster capabilities for the formation of social citizens in times of growing inequality
1 CommentThe value of the university cannot be reduced to a monetised figure. By drawing from human development discourse and the capabilities approach, Melanie Walker argues the university can be re-imagined in terms of its commitment to individual freedoms, social citizenship formation and social … Continue reading
Posted by: July 4, 2013
Tagged with: Amartya Sen
May 31 2013
University-industry partnerships open up opportunities for academics, but a dose of caution is appropriate
2 CommentsDo universities risk legitimising companies’ more questionable activities by working with them? Or do they have a duty to share their knowledge and expertise with industry for the sake of the economy and society? Alasdair Taylor argues cross-fertilisation of ideas between the … Continue reading
Posted by: May 31, 2013
Tagged with: Lambert Review, university-industry partnerships
Mar 15 2013
High-impact journals: where newsworthiness trumps methodology
Leave a commentCriticism continues to mount against high impact factor journals with a new study suggesting a preference for publishing front-page, “sexy” science has been at the expense of methodological rigour. Dorothy Bishop confirms these findings in her assessment of a recent paper published on dyslexia and fears that if the … Continue reading
Posted by: March 15, 2013
Tagged with: impact factor
Mar 13 2013
Overly Honest Social Science? The value of acknowledging bias, subjectivity and the messiness of research
1 CommentThe popular Twitter hashtag #overlyhonestmethods reveals the widespread interest in methodological reflexivity. Jen Tarr reflects on the overt critique of scientific objectivity and argues good social scientific practice should be about acknowledging the weaknesses of methods to improve practice and to … Continue reading
Posted by: March 13, 2013
