GELIFES Seminars - Erik Postma

Link to seminar

Erik Postma (University of Exeter)

Data fabrication in biology

How to deal with the elephant in the room?

Many scientific studies are difficult or impossible to replicate or reproduce, and 90% of the researchers believe we are currently in a reproducibility crisis. Whereas this continues to be widely discussed in especially psychology and medicine, the problem extends across a wide range of fields, including various areas of biology. Part of the problem are ‘honest mistakes’ and Type-1 errors (i.e. false positives), and several recent initiatives aim at reducing these. However, how many studies are irreproducible because they are based on fabricated data? Recent high-profile cases of alleged/proven data fabrication suggest that this may be more common than generally believed. In this talk, I will use two case studies to discuss data forensic approaches to detect signatures of data fabrication, as well as their limitations. I will furthermore discuss the role of individual researchers, universities and journals in this process, and I will argue that as it stands none of these are equipped to deal with this controversial and emotive topic. I will conclude with a set of key questions that we need the answer to if we are to deal with the elephant in the room that is data fabrication.

Biosketch:
Erik Postma is an Associate Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation. He studies the individual- and population-level causes and consequences of variation in the traits related to the most important events in an individual's life, including birth, mate choice, reproduction and death. To this end, he uses individual-based, long-term data for a range of species, including birds and humans. Much of his current research revolves around the question if contemporary evolution is predictable. He also has an interest in the teaching of quantitative skills and the promotion of academic integrity. For more information, see his personal website.