3 ms·

I’m a former academic who did a bit of work that involved statistical analysis of data in a similar way as these studies. Fuck. These. People. We put so much

I’m a former academic who did a bit of work that involved statistical analysis of data in a similar way as these studies. Fuck. These. People. We put so much work making sure the analysis is right. Sweat the design, sweat the data collection, the consent forms, and dropped the studies where the result wasn’t there, as well as reporting null results. I specifically remember having to have a terrible conversation with a phd student that, after doing a power analysis, setting up a pilot study, and collecting enough data, we got p=0.054 on the relevant test. “Sorry, we can’t add additional participants; we can’t try a new analysis. We did the right thing and we should report a non significant result. It sucks.” And these fuckers just go ahead and forge data to land TED talks? Yes, let’s also have a conversation about incentives and the system. But individually, I reserve my sympathy for better people. Salt the earth they walk on, and rake them over coils. This is beyond reprehensible. Fuck. Them.

nyokodo 3y ago
> This is beyond reprehensible. It is easy enough to make honest mistakes and spread misinformation before it can be properly replicated that we do still require scientists to be honest. Active deception should come with a high cost. There should be a scientific equivalent of disbarment.
- cscheid 3y ago
  > Active deception should come with a high cost Yes, I wish so too. For what's worth, I'd buy "either of Dan Ariely and Francesca Gino write a NYT bestseller book in 5 years, go on a redemption tour, and nothing new happens" for $0.80 on a prediction market.
naijaboiler 3y ago
I think this is a misuse of p-value.
- crackedbassoon 3y ago
  What do you mean?
thumbuddy 3y ago
These people are called psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists. They sit at the top of almost every single organization because our/America culture breeds them and their personality disorders are effectively a human virus to do exactly that. These people would be doing this anywhere else regardless of the incentives. Titles and power to harm others and bolster themselves are their only motivators. People who have done real research like you and me, we'll never sit where they sit.

nyokodo 3y ago

> This is beyond reprehensible. It is easy enough to make honest mistakes and spread misinformation before it can be properly replicated that we do still require scientists to be honest. Active deception should come with a high cost. There should be a scientific equivalent of disbarment.

cscheid 3y ago
> Active deception should come with a high cost Yes, I wish so too. For what's worth, I'd buy "either of Dan Ariely and Francesca Gino write a NYT bestseller book in 5 years, go on a redemption tour, and nothing new happens" for $0.80 on a prediction market.

naijaboiler 3y ago

I think this is a misuse of p-value.

crackedbassoon 3y ago
What do you mean?

thumbuddy 3y ago

These people are called psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists. They sit at the top of almost every single organization because our/America culture breeds them and their personality disorders are effectively a human virus to do exactly that. These people would be doing this anywhere else regardless of the incentives. Titles and power to harm others and bolster themselves are their only motivators. People who have done real research like you and me, we'll never sit where they sit.