Is There Really a Systematic Problem in Medical Publishing? Or Just a Reporter With a Narrative?
A recent Atlantic article has cast doubt on high-impact medical research. But is the article accurate? Or is it biased itself?
Can Open Access Journals Guarantee Sound Methods?
Stating that open access journals publish papers with “sound methodologies” promotes an unrealistic view of the scientific process and a corrupted image of the editorial and peer-review process.
“Toxie” Illustrates the Difference Between a News Story and a News Narrative
“Toxie” is a story based on facts, and worth waiting for. Why can’t the news media return to telling it like it is rather than playing to the narrative?
Ouroboros and Peer Review: New Proposals Continue to Chase Their Own Tails
Can social reputation metrics provide a meaningful incentive for researcher participation in peer-review and online commentary?
The Wrong Approach: Harrisburg University Bans Social Networking to “See What Happens”
A provost sees multi-tasking in his home, and decides to make his university suffer — all because he took the wrong lesson to heart.
Privatizing Peer Review — The PubCred Proposal
When authors are unwilling to peer review and incentives are not enough, is it time to privatize the system?
Sounding the Revolution
How do we gain a better vantage amidst the dust and din of an ongoing information revolution the likes of which the world has never seen before?
The Editorial Fallacy
In a disruptive publishing environment, publishers cannot rely on a purely editorial strategy, as many of the issues now facing them are not editorial in nature.
Let the Adaptations Begin!
The infrastructure for change is in place and largely working. What might that mean for publishing and academic cultures? (The first of a four-part series.)
Environmental Degradation Captured on Film — via the Rainbows Near the Earth’s Surface
Rainbows are much more common in near-ground sprinklers than they were 20 years ago. Or so asserts the infamous “Rainbow Lady.”
Taxes Clash with Free Speech in the Philadelphia Blogosphere
Philadelphia extends local small business fees to bloggers making money, arguing they are just like anyone else trying to make money in the city. But given the free speech element, they aren’t “just like anyone else.”
Penn & Teller on the Vaccines and Autism Debate: A Model of Great Science Communication
The now completely discredited vaccines and autism linkage is tackled here in inimitable and definitive style by two guys who really know how to stage a story simply and effectively.
The Noble Plastic Bag — A Naturalist’s View
Brutal and compelling, the lifecycle of the plastic bag is beautifully captured in this short film.
Ending the Supplemental Data “Arms Race”
Supplemental data undermine scientific integrity by undermining the peer review process.
Want a Solution to Bad Traffic? Turn Off the Traffic Signals
A town in the UK abandons traffic lights, to surprising effect.