Poor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychology
Abstract While psychologists have extensively discussed the notion of a “theory crisis” arising from vague and incorrect hypotheses, there has been no debate about such a crisis in biology. However, biologists have long discussed communication failures between theoreticians and empiricists. We argue...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02134-w |
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| author | Shinichi Nakagawa David W. Armitage Tom Froese Yefeng Yang Malgorzata Lagisz |
| author_facet | Shinichi Nakagawa David W. Armitage Tom Froese Yefeng Yang Malgorzata Lagisz |
| author_sort | Shinichi Nakagawa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract While psychologists have extensively discussed the notion of a “theory crisis” arising from vague and incorrect hypotheses, there has been no debate about such a crisis in biology. However, biologists have long discussed communication failures between theoreticians and empiricists. We argue such failure is one aspect of a theory crisis because misapplied and misunderstood theories lead to poor hypotheses and research waste. We review its solutions and compare them with methodology-focused solutions proposed for replication crises. We conclude by discussing how promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in theoretical biology could contribute to ameliorating breakdowns in the theory-empirical cycle. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d6ca6a4d5e604d6d96208b38adc94f8c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1741-7007 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-d6ca6a4d5e604d6d96208b38adc94f8c2025-02-09T12:54:21ZengBMCBMC Biology1741-70072025-02-0123111310.1186/s12915-025-02134-wPoor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychologyShinichi Nakagawa0David W. Armitage1Tom Froese2Yefeng Yang3Malgorzata Lagisz4Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405, Biological Sciences BuildingIntegrative Community Ecology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)Embodied Cognitive Science Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)Evolution & Ecology Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South WalesTheoretical Sciences Visiting Program (TSVP), Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityAbstract While psychologists have extensively discussed the notion of a “theory crisis” arising from vague and incorrect hypotheses, there has been no debate about such a crisis in biology. However, biologists have long discussed communication failures between theoreticians and empiricists. We argue such failure is one aspect of a theory crisis because misapplied and misunderstood theories lead to poor hypotheses and research waste. We review its solutions and compare them with methodology-focused solutions proposed for replication crises. We conclude by discussing how promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in theoretical biology could contribute to ameliorating breakdowns in the theory-empirical cycle.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02134-wQuestionable research practiceReplication crisisCredibility revolutionTeam scienceSORTEE |
| spellingShingle | Shinichi Nakagawa David W. Armitage Tom Froese Yefeng Yang Malgorzata Lagisz Poor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychology BMC Biology Questionable research practice Replication crisis Credibility revolution Team science SORTEE |
| title | Poor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychology |
| title_full | Poor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychology |
| title_fullStr | Poor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Poor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychology |
| title_short | Poor hypotheses and research waste in biology: learning from a theory crisis in psychology |
| title_sort | poor hypotheses and research waste in biology learning from a theory crisis in psychology |
| topic | Questionable research practice Replication crisis Credibility revolution Team science SORTEE |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02134-w |
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