Studies
In Study, People in Police Uniforms More Likely to Shoot Unarmed Targets
Putting on a uniform impacts some people's mindset and behavior in problematic ways.
Real Men Don't Learn Other Languages
New research finds many men view learning a second language as a feminine pursuit.
Here's What You'll Learn in a College Class on Calling Bullshit
The course, offered at the University of Washington, teaches that the proliferation of algorithms and data is making misinformation more widespread.
Prescription Opioids Are Contributing to More Fatal Auto Accidents
New research finds use of painkillers more than doubles the risk that a driver will set into motion a fatal two-car crash.
Microdosing Hallucinogens Has Positive Effects—but Not What You Might Suspect
The first rigorous study of the practice finds it conveys benefits like reducing mental distress, but also increases neuroticism.
What Scientists Are Saying About the EPA's 'Secret Science' Rule
Leaders in the scientific community fear Scott Pruitt's new directive would severely limit the use of research in policymaking.
The Dangers of Using Study Confederates
A breakdown of problematic confederates: the biased, the covert, the know-it-all, and the scripted.
The Complex Reasons We Comply With Authority
Mimicking Stanley Milgram, a new study suggests it's pretty easy for an authority figure to persuade people to take an action that may harm another.
Animal Research Falls Short on Experimental Procedures
A new study suggests two in three animal studies don't report taking even the most basic precautions against biased results, making many of the results unreliable.
Better Drug Research Through Registration?
Declaring drug studies' aims and methods before they begin may increase their reliability, a new study finds.
Researcher Retracts Gay Marriage Study
The claim that a brief conversation can change minds on the charged topic was apparently based on faked data.
Why Statistically Significant Studies Can Be Insignificant
Modern statistics have made it easier than ever for us to fool ourselves.
Why Sex Research Is Worth Funding With Public Money
Sexuality is a fundamental component of the human experience, and it's one we need to have a better understanding of.
A Social Scientist's Plea for Humor
A new paper provides an epic theoretical defense of humor in sociological research.
Comet Theory Comes Crashing to Earth
An elegant archaeological hypothesis, under fire for results that can’t be replicated, may ultimately come undone.
Naming a Finding May Do It A Disservice
Giving a name to a difficult concept or nuanced research may make it easier to recall but a new study suggests it may also devalue the results.
Burning Fat with E. Coli's Help
As this blog has been telling readers for a while now, medical research on mice should never be shunted — unless, of course, the 'shunt' itself is the focus of the research.