Credibility in neuroscience: What’s it all about?

10th Dec 2019

As a member of the BNA, it would be quite difficult to have missed all the exciting developments which have been happening recently as part of our ‘Credibility in Neuroscience’ programme. However, the reasons behind all of the work that is going on and the part the BNA plays in this may be unclear, and so this is something we're keen to address below.

What does ‘credibility in neuroscience’ mean?

Across the life sciences, there are genuine concerns about the reproducibility, replicability and reliability of published research studies.

Uta Frith, keynote speaker at our BNA2019 Festival of Neuroscience explains, ‘Reproducibility relies on information being available for anyone to repeat an experiment. Replicability means that, when the experiment is repeated in a different context by a second person, the same (or consistent) results are obtained. And reliability relates primarily to the trustworthiness of experimental tools. These are the bedrock of science. They are the things that allow us to trust a finding.’ 

What’s wrong with fast science?

Modern science incentivises the publication of as many papers as possible, in journals which are considered to be highly influential in their fields – so called ‘high impact’ journals. This is part of what has been called the ‘publish or perish’ culture, describing the pressure scientists face to publish academic work to succeed in an academic career.

Inevitably this creates a temptation to rush, to cut corners, and to articulate impactful stories that may, to at least some degree, distort the true nature of findings. Although rare, the scientific community also needs to be vigilant to instances of outright fraud.

As Uta Frith points out, science can only progress when we have trust in scientific findings. A commitment to scientific rigour is essential to the maintenance of a scientific reputation. In addition, if research is non-replicable, scientific progress is stalled, research cannot be translated into clinical applications, time and money are wasted and capable and talented early career researchers can become disillusioned and leave the field.

As a professional association representing the UK neuroscience community, we are acutely aware that we need to do our bit to move towards more trustworthy science.

What have the BNA done to promote credibility in neuroscience so far?

Earlier this year, we were delighted to announce that the Gatsby Charitable Foundation has awarded the BNA £450,000 funding to help us develop a significant programme of activities, promoting and supporting credibility in neuroscience research over the next ten years.

To take this programme of work forward, we have put together a Credibility Advisory Board. To read about members of the board, as well as the initial steps we took on our ‘Credibility in Neuroscience’ programme, please click here.

• This year’s Festival of Neuroscience included a special workshop on safeguarding credibility and reproducibility in neuroscience.

• The BNA has, since launching our ‘Credibility in Neuroscience’ programme, been active in awarding bursaries to BNA members wishing to attend events which are part of the drive to move towards more trustworthy science, such as the Open Research Summer School at Oxford University and STEM for Britain 2020 at the Houses of Parliament, a chance for Early Career scientists, engineers and mathematicians to showcase their work to members of Parliament and peers.

• In July, the BNA interviewed Professor Chris Chambers on a trial he and Professor Petroc Sumner conducted on how misleading news claims can be detrimental to public health. The trial found that exaggerated science news is associated with exaggerated press releases, giving hope that, if university press releases are made more accurate, the public will receive more accurate news, irrespective of the influence of news reporters.

•  In October, the BNA was accepted as a member of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee (P&SC). This committee is an interface between scientists and parliamentarians and will provide exciting opportunities for the BNA to inform decision-making that takes place in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords around issues related to neuroscience.

• On the 25^th of November, at an evening reception at the House of Commons, the BNA officially launched its ‘Credibility in Neuroscience’ manifesto, with addresses from Professor Dorothy Bishop, Professor Lord Robert Winston and BNA Chief Executive Dr Anne Cooke. 

• We have now launched our ‘BeInCredible’ website with information for academic researchers, those working in the commercial sector, clinical researchers and the press, to bring together a community working together to increase the credibility of research.

The Credibility in Neuroscience programme is one of the most important pieces of work in which the BNA is currently engaged.

We’ll provide more details on planned activities in future issues of the Bulletin. And of course, we always warmly welcome your input (contact Georgina at georgina.hazell@bna.org.uk).