Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang
original studies had shown true effects”thein Baker 2016).(quotedthe other hand, Brian Nosek, leader ofOnOpen Science Collaboration project,thethat Gilbert’s “optimisticrespondedis limited by statisticalassessmentencounter disagreements between expertsWethis chapter and Chapter 7.throughoutrecurring question for TOK is what toAabout it. If someone is not sufficientlydoin statistics how should theycompetentNosek’s versus Gilbert’s arguments?evaluateauthors of a study are the people mostThefamiliar with the weaknesses andcloselyto their own findings. Sometimes,limitationsare the foremost experts in their sub-theyand may be the first to come acrossdisciplines,that undermines their confidenceevidencethe results that propelled their careers.init remains rare for academics to publiclyYet,back their work, so replications remaintakenext best way to find out about suspecttheA timely response to the replicationfindings.is the Loss of Confidence Project: theissueorganized, institutional platform forfirstto declare a loss of confidence in theirauthorsresearch. The Loss of Confidence projectownof a voluntary nature and researchers canissubmit loss of confidence for their ownonlyIf a researcher has lost confidenceresearch.their findings, why not retract the study?inloss of confidence a soft alternative toIsRetractions are not necessarilyretraction?journal can also retract avoluntary—areplication problem within human sciencesTheand psychology specifically, is an ongoinggenerally,as of 2020 but there is a consensuscontroversyaround the view that a significant problemformingSome have lamented that the tenor ofexists.discourse is divisive and antagonistic, andtheand popular science outlets are accusednewspapersreporting it with sensational headlines equivalentof“Psychology is dead”. Whether we call it atoa crisis, a disagreement or an opportunity,problem,episode has caused both students andtheto examine more closely how academicresearchersis produced in the human sciences,knowledgeterms of the incentives, institutional structures,inand practical constraints withinassumptionsThis is something to be welcomed.academia.any rate, initiatives such as RetractionAtand the Loss of Confidence projectWatchquestionable or discarded findings easiermaketrack. These initiatives are mechanismstokeeping the body of scientific knowledgeforand up to date. Essentially, they raisereliableof professional ethical conductquestionstransparency, and those issues take us toandsubmission to the project came fromOneDana Carney, who came topsychologistthe findings of her 2010 paper onrefuteposes’, co-authored with Amy Cuddy.‘powerstudy centred on the idea that adopting aThepose could be beneficial in stressfulpowerfulAlthough the pair’s work onsituations.poses had gained a lot of attention—powerCuddy’s associated TED talk remainsandof the most watched—in 2016 Carneyonecompelled to admit that she nofeltbelieved in the conclusions of herlongerIII. Methods and toolsIII. Methods and toolsmisconceptions” (quoted in Baker 2016).Box 8.4: Destigmatizing loss of confidencesection IV.original study.published article on the basis of error or fraud.239
III. Methods and toolsIV. Ethics7 describes how the material andChapterpower of scientific knowledge—tonarrativeas well as tell stories about the naturalinfluencea robust ethics. This chapterworld—necessitatesshown that the human sciences describes ashasas shapes our social reality in a similarlywellway, affecting how we understand,powerfulor disagree about human nature, moralityagreejustice, what is fundamental to all people,andwhat is different. Challenging issues canandpolitical with comparatively few, if any,becometruths to draw on. We have seen thatempiricalwe do not know, and therefore what wewhatassume, can deeply influence knowledgemustpractical outcomes. The ethics of the humanandmust take into account power, influence,sciencesgives us the power to makeKnowledgean impact on the planet that some havesuchto name the present geologic era,proposedAnthropocene, after us. Amid mountingthethat human activity is alteringevidenceand Earth systems, the concept of thesocialthe past few years. If you are unsure aboutinthe concept means, follow the link towhatcomprehensive explainer video that is anaintroduction to the topic. In the videoexcellentAnthropocene is described and justified intheof the impact of humans on the planet.termsterms:Searchthe ageAnthropocenethe Anthropocene may requireKnowingtrans-disciplinary modes of knowledgenewand sharing that current institutionsproductionnot allow for. If the following sections sounddoEarth science and you are wonderinglikethey are here, keep that thought inwhyalongside the concept of natureculturemind,section II. Consider also the problem offromthe observer from the observationremovingthe modeller from the model in the name oforGiven the scale and depth of humanobjectivity.on the planet, is it even possible to speakimpactnature without speaking about humans ataboutsame time?the8Figure 8.5aThe two low-power poses used in the study.Figure 8.5bThe two high-power poses used in the study.Participants in this condition were posed in contractiveParticipants in this condition were posed in expansivepositions with closed limbs.positions with open limbs.I V. E T H I C Sof mankind YouTuberesponsibility and fairness.Anthropocene has been intensively theorized240
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- Page 235 and 236: III. Methods and toolsMargaret Mead
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- Page 295 and 296: II. Perspectivesby Vermeer were rar
original studies had shown true effects”
the
in Baker 2016).
(quoted
the other hand, Brian Nosek, leader of
On
Open Science Collaboration project,
the
that Gilbert’s “optimistic
responded
is limited by statistical
assessment
encounter disagreements between experts
We
this chapter and Chapter 7.
throughout
recurring question for TOK is what to
A
about it. If someone is not sufficiently
do
in statistics how should they
competent
Nosek’s versus Gilbert’s arguments?
evaluate
authors of a study are the people most
The
familiar with the weaknesses and
closely
to their own findings. Sometimes,
limitations
are the foremost experts in their sub-
they
and may be the first to come across
disciplines,
that undermines their confidence
evidence
the results that propelled their careers.
in
it remains rare for academics to publicly
Yet,
back their work, so replications remain
take
next best way to find out about suspect
the
A timely response to the replication
findings.
is the Loss of Confidence Project: the
issue
organized, institutional platform for
first
to declare a loss of confidence in their
authors
research. The Loss of Confidence project
own
of a voluntary nature and researchers can
is
submit loss of confidence for their own
only
If a researcher has lost confidence
research.
their findings, why not retract the study?
in
loss of confidence a soft alternative to
Is
Retractions are not necessarily
retraction?
journal can also retract a
voluntary—a
replication problem within human sciences
The
and psychology specifically, is an ongoing
generally,
as of 2020 but there is a consensus
controversy
around the view that a significant problem
forming
Some have lamented that the tenor of
exists.
discourse is divisive and antagonistic, and
the
and popular science outlets are accused
newspapers
reporting it with sensational headlines equivalent
of
“Psychology is dead”. Whether we call it a
to
a crisis, a disagreement or an opportunity,
problem,
episode has caused both students and
the
to examine more closely how academic
researchers
is produced in the human sciences,
knowledge
terms of the incentives, institutional structures,
in
and practical constraints within
assumptions
This is something to be welcomed.
academia.
any rate, initiatives such as Retraction
At
and the Loss of Confidence project
Watch
questionable or discarded findings easier
make
track. These initiatives are mechanisms
to
keeping the body of scientific knowledge
for
and up to date. Essentially, they raise
reliable
of professional ethical conduct
questions
transparency, and those issues take us to
and
submission to the project came from
One
Dana Carney, who came to
psychologist
the findings of her 2010 paper on
refute
poses’, co-authored with Amy Cuddy.
‘power
study centred on the idea that adopting a
The
pose could be beneficial in stressful
powerful
Although the pair’s work on
situations.
poses had gained a lot of attention—
power
Cuddy’s associated TED talk remains
and
of the most watched—in 2016 Carney
one
compelled to admit that she no
felt
believed in the conclusions of her
longer
III. Methods and tools
III. Methods and tools
misconceptions” (quoted in Baker 2016).
Box 8.4: Destigmatizing loss of confidence
section IV.
original study.
published article on the basis of error or fraud.
239