It's Everyone's Problem
20/05/11 14:35 Filed in: GenomeWeb Daily Scan
Submitted by S. Pelech - Kinexus on Fri, 05/20/2011 - 14:35.
One of the major reasons why bias can have such a profound impact on the outcome of a scientific study is that there is so much emphasis on conducting hypothesis-driven research. This type of research gets this lion's share of grant funding, despite the availability of very powerful analytical tools to undertake systems biology-wide investigations. It is also much easier to publish and cultivate a reputation in a field with hypothesis-driven research.
Statistical analyses are critical tools when applied to analyses of large data sets. In conducting research to seek what is really going on inside of organisms and their cells, half the battle is to collect sufficient data and the other half is to look at the results with fresh eyes and let the data show the observer what is happening. I am always amazed by how the dogma created of a small number of "leaders" in a field can actually thwart scientific advancement and understanding.
Link to the original blog post.
One of the major reasons why bias can have such a profound impact on the outcome of a scientific study is that there is so much emphasis on conducting hypothesis-driven research. This type of research gets this lion's share of grant funding, despite the availability of very powerful analytical tools to undertake systems biology-wide investigations. It is also much easier to publish and cultivate a reputation in a field with hypothesis-driven research.
Statistical analyses are critical tools when applied to analyses of large data sets. In conducting research to seek what is really going on inside of organisms and their cells, half the battle is to collect sufficient data and the other half is to look at the results with fresh eyes and let the data show the observer what is happening. I am always amazed by how the dogma created of a small number of "leaders" in a field can actually thwart scientific advancement and understanding.
Link to the original blog post.