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Exploring COVID-19 research credibility among Spanish scientists
Eduardo Garcia-Garzon1, Ariadna Angulo-Brunet2,3, Oscar Lecuona4
1School of Health, Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid, Spain.
Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.)
|March 7, 2022
Summary
Spanish scholars perceive COVID-19 research quality differently based on involvement, with most expecting widespread questionable research practices and inadequate incentives. Trust in science is crucial during vaccination campaigns.
Area of Science:
- Meta-science
- Research integrity
- Scholarly communication
Background:
- Trust in science is vital during global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Concerns exist regarding current research standards and academic incentives.
- Understanding scholarly perceptions of research quality and practices is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Spanish scholars' perceptions of COVID-19 research quality.
- To investigate the prevalence of questionable research practices (QRPs) and academic incentives.
- To compare perceptions between researchers involved and not involved in COVID-19 research.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to 131 Spanish researchers.
- Evaluation of expected research quality for own and peers' COVID-19 projects.
- Investigation of self-reported and estimated rates of QRPs and attitudes towards research status.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 research evaluations showed partisan divides, with more pessimism towards peers' work than own.
- Researchers not involved in COVID-19 projects were more critical of research quality.
- Most scholars anticipated widespread QRPs and inadequate incentives, agreeing on these points.
Conclusions:
- Perceptions of COVID-19 research quality are influenced by involvement and potentially partisan views.
- There is a consensus among Spanish scholars regarding the prevalence of QRPs and inadequate incentives.
- Recommendations include redefining QRPs as inadequate research practices (IRP) and enhancing transparency and academic incentives to build trust in science.
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