elearnspace

Most scientific papers are probably wrong – other than a weak title, this article makes a good point about research: “Most published scientific research papers are wrong, according to a new analysis. Assuming that the new paper is itself correct, problems with experimental and statistical methods mean that there is less than a 50% chance that the results of any randomly chosen scientific paper are true.”
What I find interesting is not that the papers themselves are wrong, but that there are very limited opportunities for readers to correct and discuss the paper in its original context. Any format that is “set in stone” isn’t going to work today. Blogs are particularly effective at enabling the inclusion of contrary viewpoints. Journals are still one-way, broadcast tools. Perhaps journal pusblishers should reflect on what’s happening to TV, newspapers, and music. Two-way knowledge flow is critical.