Episode 28: Scientia Cumulativa

Nullius in Verba

In this episode, we discuss the barriers to cumulative science, including inconsistent measurement tools, overreliance on single studies, and the large volume of research publications. Can replications, interdisciplinary collaborations, and prospective meta-analyses help us solve this issue? Can AI solve all our problems? And do most scientists treat their theories like toothbrushes?

Shownotes

• Opening quote by George Sarton
  • Sarton, G. (1927). Introduction to the History of Science (Vol. 376).
• Is Science Cumulative? a Physicist Viewpoint: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4020-6279-7_10
• Psychological Methods. (2009). Special Issue: Multi-Study Methods for Building a Cumulative Psychological Science.

• Walter Mischel, Becoming a Cumulative Science

• Dorothy Bishop - Why we need cumulative science (AIMOS)
• Watkins, J. W. (1984). Science and Skepticism. Princeton University Press.