Nullius in Verba

In the second episode on metascience, we discuss the benefits of metascientific study according to Mario Bunge, some key milestones in sociology, psychology, and anthropology of science, and whether there should be a science of the science of science.   Shownotes Galton, F. (1874). English men of science: Their nature and nurture. McMillian & Co. https://archive.org/details/englishmenofscie00galtuoft Latour, B. & Woolgar, S. (1979). Laboratory life: The social construction of scientific facts. Sage Publications.  Candolle, A. de (with Fisher - University of Toronto). (1873). Histoire des sciences et des savants depuis deux siècles; suivie d’autres études sur des sujets scientifiques, en particulier sur la sélection dans l’espèce humaine. Genève, Georg. http://archive.org/details/histoiredesscie00cand Vaesen, K. (2021). French Neopositivism and the Logic, Psychology, and Sociology of Scientific Discovery. HOPOS: The Journal of the International Society for the History of Philosophy of Science, 11(1), 183–200. https://doi.org/10.1086/712934  

Delve into the intriguing realm of metascience, exploring its historical roots and its distinction from the philosophy and history of science. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding scientific methods and historical context for improving practices. Discover how psychology intertwines with scientific inquiry, the significance of academic freedom, and the challenges posed by replication studies. Plus, learn about innovative courses aimed at bridging gaps in metascience education and fostering integrity in academic publishing.

Bunge, M. (1959). Why metascience? Metascientific Queries (pp. 3-27). Charles C Thomas. 

The podcast dives into the potential pitfalls of premature experimentation in psychology. It questions whether traditional methods overshadow other approaches, using an amusing Martian analogy to illustrate funding disparities in research. Historical critiques and the evolution of psychological methodologies are dissected, highlighting the need for diverse research techniques. A discussion on the significance of qualitative research reveals its often-overlooked value. The complexities of measuring true understanding and the pitfalls of conventional norms provide a compelling call for innovation in psychological inquiry.

Dive into the fascinating world of exploratory experimentation, where scientists venture into the unknown without rigid hypotheses. Discover why this innovative approach is often undervalued in the research community, contrary to its potential for groundbreaking findings. The importance of transparent documentation in building credibility is highlighted, along with the challenges young researchers face amidst academic pressures. Plus, explore the unique crossroads of psychology, AI, and sports science that redefine how we understand exploratory research.

This is the final installment of the three-part series on Paul Meehl's unpublished book, The Seven Sacred Cows of Academia.

Dive into the debate on classroom size and its effects on education quality, questioning if smaller classes really yield better results. Explore the gap between student expectations and faculty interactions, particularly in different classroom settings. The conversation critiques the pressures of academic publishing, emphasizing quality over quantity, and challenges traditional views on scientific contributions. Finally, it addresses the urgent need to rethink publication practices in academia, urging a shift from personal gain to meaningful scholarship.

Dive into the complexities of higher education as the hosts dissect Paul Meehl's unpublished insights on transforming academia. They tackle pressing budget cuts, questioning long-standing beliefs and advocating for a deeper integration of teaching and research. Explore the dynamics of vocational education, contrasting cultural perceptions of student preparedness, and the shift from traditional lectures to engaging online formats. This engaging discussion challenges the norms while envisioning a more effective and inclusive educational landscape.

In this episode, we discuss science communication. What is the purpose of science communication? Who does or should engage in it? Are there negative consequences of communicating science to the public? And what should we discuss over coffee and sandwiches?   Shownotes Joubert, M. (2019). Beyond the Sagan effect. Nature Astronomy, 3(2), 131-132. Martinez-Conde, S. (2016). Has contemporary academia outgrown the Carl Sagan effect?. Journal of Neuroscience, 36(7), 2077-2082. Turner, J. (1962). Some Coffee and Sandwiches? Science, 136, 231-231.  Bruine de Bruin, W., & Bostrom, A. (2013). Assessing what to address in science communication. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(3), 14062-14068. Burns, T. W., O'Connor, D. J., & Stocklmayer, S. M. (2003). Science communication: a contemporary definition. Public Understanding of Science, 12(2), 183-202. Fischhoff, B. (2013). The sciences of science communication. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(3), 14033-14039.  

Censorship in the Sciences: Interdisciplinary Perspectives Conference: https://dornsife.usc.edu/cesr/censorship-in-the-sciences-interdisciplinary-perspectives/    How Woke Warriors Destroyed Anthropology - Elizabeth Weiss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpWN_CsuiRc&t=392s    Clark, C. J., Jussim, L., Frey, K., Stevens, S. T., Al-Gharbi, M., Aquino, K., ... & von Hippel, W. (2023). Prosocial motives underlie scientific censorship by scientists: A perspective and research agenda. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(48), e2301642120.    The vertebra of Galileo in Palace Bo in Padova: https://heritage.unipd.it/en/vertebra-galileo/    The association between early career informal mentorship in academic collaborations and junior author performance https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19723-8    Stefano Comino, Alberto Galasso, Clara Graziano, Censorship, industry structure, and creativity: evidence from the Catholic Inquisition in Renaissance Venice, The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, 2024, ewae015, https://doi.org/10.1093/jleo/ewae015    Bernouilli’s fallacy https://aubreyclayton.com/bernoulli  Jerzy Neyman: A Positive Role Model in the History of Frequentist Statistics https://daniellakens.blogspot.com/2021/09/jerzy-neyman-positive-role-model-in.html