The Problem with Science
The Reproducibility Crisis and What to do About It
R. Barker Bausell
Reviews and Awards
"Partly an introductory survey of the reproducibility crisis, partly a series of recommendations to students and scholars that could, if employed, reduce the severity of the crisis, this work includes extensive endnotes with each chapter, providing access to a vast literature on this topic ... The reproducibility crisis is a problem of interest to a large readership spanning many disciplines. Many of the sources discussed, including some of the author's own previous works, would be an excellent starting point for more information about this topic. An essential acquisition for all academic and public libraries." -- J. Cummings, CHOICE
"Bausell, the author of a number of books, brings a broad perspective, across many disciplines beyond only psychology, to the story he tells so engagingly ... My conclusion is that Bausell gives us a valuable, wide-ranging and well-informed history, progress report, and agenda for the Open Science project." -- Geoff Cumming, Introduction to the New Statistics
"We live in a time when fake news and untrustworthy information have invaded all walks of life; sadly this also includes the realm of science. This book is therefore both timely and useful. Barker Bausell has many years of research to his credit, and he evidently knows what he is writing about. In his new book, he explains why so many scientific publications are wrong or misleading and what damage irreproducible research can cause. He provides the reader with the tools to identify unreliable science and shows us ways to rectify the problem. His book is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn the important skills of systematic assessment and critical thinking. It is a must-read for aspiring scientists as well as for seasoned researchers or non-scientists who want to get a better understanding of the process of science, its strengths and its many weaknesses." -- Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Complementary Medicine, University of Exeter
"Science is said to be self-correcting: Falsifiable hypotheses are generated, tested, and the results are disseminated. The accrued knowledge moves the field forward, but only if it is valid. The classical test for a study's validity is replication--the same methods should yield similar results. Disappointingly, replication occurs less than half the time. One reason is that, if results do not support the original hypothesis, it is all too easy to hypothesize after the results are known then report more 'publishable' results valued by academic journals. This and other systemic problems are comprehensively catalogued in this excellent book by Barker Bausell. Fortunately, these problems have solutions, such as the Registered Reports model of peer review, and these are also catalogued here. This excellent book illuminates a path by which science can self-correct on a meta level and realize its full potential." --Erick H. Turner, MD, Associate Professor, Oregon Health & Science University
"Throughout [R. Barker Bausell's] career, a common goal has been to ensure the integrity of science and to weed out irreproducible findings. So, it is appropriate that he now turns his gaze--sharp and critical yet also humorous and compassionate--to the reproducibility crisis. His latest book The Problem with Science: The Reproducibility Crisis and What to do About It is a well-documented description of the etiology of the problem, the facilitators of irreproducibility, and the relatively straightforward individual and institutional behaviors that can be instituted to correct the problem. It is difficult to imagine anyone more qualified to bring the complex issues surrounding the irreproducibility crisis to a wider audience." -- Eric W. Manheimer, PhD, Co-Founder, Evidence Based Patient Decision Aids
"This book, The Problem with Science: The Reproducibility Crisis and What to do About It, is particularly timely and critical for all of us who do research as well as for those who consume research. Coming out after the Coronavirus pandemic, the book is an important reminder that the development of new knowledge needs to be taken slowly sometimes and carefully considered. What we want to see and believe may not really be there. Dr. Bausell has decades of hands on experience as a biostatistician and has written numerous books on research design, statistics, and experimental design. Although relevant for all researchers and consumers of research, this book should certainly be required reading for all students engaging in research careers." -- Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology and Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing
