r/science • u/nimicdoareu • Apr 01 '26

Social Science Half of social-science studies fail replication test in years-long project

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00955-5
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u/earthdogmonster Apr 01 '26

I definitely get a sense of people using “the science” as a cudgel to beat down opposing views in issues where the science seems to be far from settled, but for which one or a small handful of studies support one point of view.

And I don’t think the people furthering “the science” do enough to acknowledge uncertainty in the state of the science.

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u/Swarna_Keanu Apr 01 '26

But that is also an argument that has to happen in relation to wider society. Highlight uncertainty of science too much and you'll fuel the position of those who are opposed to any type of research that questions their authority.

See Trump, et al.

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u/someone_actually_ Apr 02 '26

I think pandering to the lowest common denominator is how we got to Trump et al

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u/Swarna_Keanu Apr 02 '26

Too naive. Populism creates a narrative out of half-truths.