Research studies are not always conducted according to the rules. They may promise too much, show relationships that do not exist, or not be replicable. Two researchers who have been involved in reviewing studies in different disciplines know this – and have discovered lots of shortcomings.
Being the author of a scientific work entails both a merit and a responsibility. But it is not self-evident who it is that deserves this merit and how the responsibility should be allocated – these are issues that attract increased focus when the author lists of scientific works become longer.
Stefan Buijsman has always thought faster than others, and received a doctorate in philosophy of mathematics at only 20 years of age. He is now considering subjects from what mathematics actually is, to how children learn mathematics, and what artificial intelligence entails for us all.
She blogs about why and how scientists should use social media för science communication. Stina Börchers is a PhD student at the University of Gothenburg and is working on the neuroscience of feeding behavior and energy expenditure. In her spare time she likes to take long walks to explore Sweden´s nature and cities.
For several years, research infrastructure has been short of funds. It was even uncertain whether the Swedish Research Council could carry out the next planned call. But the Government recently announced that it will inject an additional 1.3 billion SEK to the budget for infrastructure over three years, as part of a major investment in research.
New technology may lead to earlier research findings being re-evaluated. New subjects are emerging from faded rock paintings on a rock face on Hisingen – thanks to a digital imaging program from NASA. This throws new light on both the interpretation and the dating.
The need to quickly increase knowledge about the corona pandemic has led to a tidal wave of new research findings, which are published without first having been reviewed by other researchers. They are known as ‘preprints’, and make it possible to quickly share and partake of results, but they also increase the risk of errors being spread.
While the corona pandemic is closing national borders, a wave of openness is moving through the world of research. Collaboration, open data, and early publication are important ways to quickly increase knowledge about the new virus, and how it can be fought.
How do you make frogs hover, or construct an excellent facemask from a bra? These are examples of research that has been awarded the Ig Nobel Prize. Research that first makes you laugh, and then think. “When you have laughed at something, then you remember it and want to tell others,” says the founder of the prize, Marc Abrahams.
Swedish higher education institutions have been given more freedom to decide how to go about employing a professor. Since 2011, they have more freedom to decide the criteria on which to base the assessment of scientific and educational skill. Curie has taken a closer look at the process at a few universities.
