The 365 Days of Astronomy Astronomy Cast Ep. 774: How Does Bad Science Happen?
Dec 8, 2025
The hosts delve into how bad science infiltrates reputable publications, highlighting alarming examples like cherry-picked supernova data. They discuss the pitfalls of p-values and the complexities of statistical noise impacting research conclusions. Exploration of cognitive biases sheds light on how biases influence findings. Academic pressures, funding needs, and the role of peer review networks are examined, revealing how these factors can skew scientific integrity. Ultimately, they reflect on the trade-offs between being a communicator and an academic.
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Confirmation Bias Shapes Scientific Interpretation
- Confirmation bias drives scientists to favor data that matches their expectations and ignore alternatives.
- Dr. Pamela Gay advises brainstorming every possible explanation and checking which predicted observations match reality.
Test Every Plausible Explanation
- Brainstorm every possible explanation for your data and list expected consequences for each hypothesis.
- Check which consequences you actually observe and use that comparison to rule options in or out.
Eagle In Front Of Telescope Example
- Pamela recalled a paper that listed 'an eagle flies in front of the telescope' as a possible cause for a dimming event.
- The example highlights creative, sometimes surprising hypotheses scientists must consider.