Funke, Rafael (2022) Social Psychologist’s Perception and Criticism of the Reform Movement and Its Recent Efforts to Improve Science. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
As answer to a perceived crisis, Psychology has recently experienced a variety of efforts to reform science. However, the proposed solutions and attitudes of people promoting them have also received criticism. To examine this situation, we believed it is informative to ask researchers directly affected about their perception of these recent reform endeavours. We surveyed 74 researchers from five Dutch universities, who self-identified as social psychologists. Using a Mixed-methods approach, we asked them how they identified with the movement behind the reforms, how they perceive the movement's contributions and whether they feel influenced by the ways criticism is outed. Specific focus lied on analysing the text-answers and coding ways in which participants criticised the movement. Results of our quantitative items showed no tendencies for strong opinions. More interesting were the observed (sub)themes. Participants criticized the conduct of reformers and specifically ‘Bropenscience’. The input of reformers was criticized for missing constructivity, a connection to real research practices, and being over-generalizing. Furthermore, respondents wished reforms would focus more on issues like theory, (ecological) validity, diversity, equity and the academic system/culture. Though the greatest finding, limiting the validity of the whole work, was that participants had numerous problems with the construct and label of a “reform movement”, that we adopted from existing literature. Among others, they were unsure who it refers to and questioned its homogeneity. Finally, I concluded that future research should use more specific descriptions of developments and people engaged in reforming science should examine the discussed concerns.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Hoek, J.M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Jun 2022 15:46 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jun 2022 15:46 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/496 |
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