Studies Are Usually Bunk, Study Shows

The author of the article, “Studies Are Usually Bunk, Study Shows,” thoroughly criticizes the research of many different scientists. Andy Kessler denounces the research done by both grad students, college students, and the works of Malcolm Gladwell. I thought the article was very constructive and had unnecessary attacks on others. However, Andy’s point is still conveyed throughout the article. He points out how crucial it is to provide accurate and testable studies. Doing an experiment and getting results does not prove its accuracy, but when other scientists duplicate that experiment, the results are more reliable.

According to the article, “‘More than 70% of researchers have tried and failed to reproduce another scientist’s experiments … And more than half have failed to reproduce their own experiments’” (Andy). Taking the time to prove that studies are reliable are important to learn the facts. You must disregard the bias and faulty experiments and focus on the successful ones. As the article said, “Correlation doesn’t equal causation” (Andy). I think this would be important when we start research for our paradigm shift essays. Before we can write a research essay, we must ensure that our sources are one-hundred percent accurate. For my paradigm shift specifically, I need to make sure that the studies that I pull from for my essay have been duplicated and from reliable sources. All in all, I should focus on the facts and disregard any data that represents bias or incomplete results. 

 

Andy Kessler, “Studies Are Usually Bunk, Study Shows,” Wall Street Journal, August 13, 2017, https://sites.psu.edu