Assessing biases in and the reliability of comparative cognition research
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
Theme: Bioscience for Health
Animal cognition research has implications for animal health and welfare policy across the globe, in addition to furthering our understanding of animals minds. Science is facing replicability crisis, with many results struggling to replicate. The pressure to publish and academic incentive structure leads to researchers performing low-power research, fishing for significance and over-selling their results, which has negative consequences for the validity of scientific results.
My project uses a variety of methods (theoretical, survey, secondary data analysis, primary data collection) to assess the status and consequences of bias and replicability in animal cognition research.
Animal cognition research has implications for animal health and welfare policy across the globe, in addition to furthering our understanding of animals minds. Science is facing replicability crisis, with many results struggling to replicate. The pressure to publish and academic incentive structure leads to researchers performing low-power research, fishing for significance and over-selling their results, which has negative consequences for the validity of scientific results.
My project uses a variety of methods (theoretical, survey, secondary data analysis, primary data collection) to assess the status and consequences of bias and replicability in animal cognition research.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011194/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1943419 | Studentship | BB/M011194/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Benjamin Farrar |
| Description | I have discovered that my area of science has large issues regarding the reliability of its findings. This has led to a) a conversation across the field on how reliable the findings are, including a special issue of a journal being dedicated to replication studies, and b) an increased focus across the field on working to improve our scientific method. |
| Exploitation Route | Others may be encouraged to adopt more reliable scientific practices and may use some of the tools I have brought to our field to assess the robustness of evidence within the field. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |