causal

Experimental Skill Claim Is a Dangerous Excuse

While there is genuine experimental skill and artistry in pulling off subtle psychology experiments (Kahneman argues priming requires a 'knack' to avoid making subjects aware they've been primed), the existence of this idea is dangerous because it provides an easy excuse for researchers whose results cannot be replicated to attribute failures to others' lack of skill rather than to the falsity of the original finding.

causalpending

Speaker

Ed Yong

Evidence Quote

What's dangerous is when people attribute this to other scientists. So, when you look at the report from the investigation committee that ruled on the Stapel incident, they very clearly say, when very few people try to replicate a study and when they did they failed, they assumed it was because he had some skill that they hadn't.

Source

Ed Yong on Science, Replication, and JournalismEconTalk
Created: 6/13/2026, 12:25:57 AM

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