What is P-Hacking?

P-hacking is when scientists alter either variables or processes in their methods in order to achieve the results which they desire. This could be due to the fact that the initial data they collect using their original variables and method does not satisfy their hypothesis causing some scientists to manipulate their tests in order to receive data and results which they can use to their advantage. P-hacking can also be as simple as testing or analysing their results continuously until they achieve the desired results. Henceforth, there is no manipulation of variables however, the test is no longer fair and is still used to achieve a predetermined set of results and not the actual results and data of the experiment. Other terms for p-hacking include; publishing false positives, selective reporting and data degrading. The implications of which are self explanatory, scientists publishing false information that complies with their intentions, only publishing the data that works in the interest of the publisher and harming the reliability of results due to altercations made within the experiment to ensure that specific data and patterns are acquired.  The extent to which p-hacking is practiced also varies. It ranges from changing variables, to stopping to collect data midway, or not completing post-analysis experiments to follow through with their results. P-hacking is greatly practiced in the scientific field due to the immense pressure from scientists to be the first to publish their findings and find new relationships, forcing them into unreliable methods and unfair tests.

What impact does this have on our society from a non-scientific view?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jcju8947-E

The video above by John Oliver is another media example used to explain the repercussions of p-hacking. Although, this is a talk show and can not be entirely trusted for factual data, John Oliver touches on the major issues related to p-hacking. He addresses the more social aspect of p-hacking, including several real life examples of when p-hacking hit the world and lead millions of people to believe the false positives published in media.

What issues can P-hacking cause in science?

This can cause many issues within the scientific world due to the repercussions that come with publishing false data. One of the main impacts would be the decrease in reliability and trust within the scientific community. Once a scientist is known for p-hacking their data it is hard to destroy this reputation. Even if in the future their work is valid and would be helpful to society or the scientific world, it would be hard to trust. Moreover, p-hacking data can result in money being invested in the wrong field of research. It could be considered more fruitful if the money was invested elsewhere. However, since there seem to be better progress in areas where false positives are published, then investors naturally opt to place their money there. For this reason p-hacking can be very dangerous as it can lead to scientists and doctors believing that there is a greater relationship between two variables than actually exists. For example; doctors could falsely prescribe drugs to patients based on the belief that the positive relationship between the drug and their patients symptoms exists due to the p-hacked results published by a scientist, thus potentially causing serious medical problems for the patient and legal problems for the doctor and scientist. Moreover, a pressing issue is the corruption of power and the influence of corporations and money. Scientists can be, as aforementioned, manipulated and bribed into P-hacking and falsifying data to advantage corporations thus causing many environmental and social issues such as allowing companies to continuously harm the environment through their harmful business activities. An example of this harm to the environment would be the effect that multinational companies such as Primark has had. The Rana Plaza collapse of that happened in April of 2013 killed more than 1,100 and caused serious environmental and social harm to the people of the community. It was caused due to Primark, and other MNC’s, inability to make the necessary modifications to the infrastructure and the governments lack of pursuit and pressure due to the falsified data that they received. Also, scientists can lead inspection teams and the public to believe that a large multinational company is not causing the pollution they are accused through their specific business activity of due to the false data posted by scientists that were paid off.

What impact does P-hacking have on environmental science? How does P-hacking relate, directly or indirectly, to global warming and climate change conspiracies and misconceptions?

P-hacking can cause great issues within the environmental science community. This is due to the fact that by misleading the public into believing one false thing about the environment it can open a door to endless false accusations and conspiracy theories. A real problem in our world today is climate change and global warming. However, many people chose to believe that it is a conspiracy theory and that scientists are P-hacking their data to make the public believe these problems exist. This shows another limitation to scientists practicing selective reporting as it will lead to the “boy who cried wolf” effect. Once a scandal arrises where scientists have practiced P-hacking, their work will be discredited in the future, hence hurting the reputation of the entire science community from societies point of view. Henceforth, in environmental science it can lead to major issues being ignored thus further damaging our ecosystems and hence there is no possibility for a sustainable future in which P-hacking does not exist and society can trust in the science community fully.

How does P-hacking relate to the use of unreliable models in environmental science?

Unreliable models and P-hacking have the same effect on society and environmental science. Unreliable models could lead society to believe false data and relationships. For example, with climate change, if unreliable models are used widely by the science community then it can lead to false conclusions and observations thus resulting in people reacting in the wrong way. It could, on a small scale, lead to people dressing in many layers on a hot day due to the false information fed to them by the unreliable model. Henceforth, unreliable models and P-hacking both result in a loss of trust in the science community, discrediting of scientists or organisations, and from an environmental perspective, believing or not believing in the wrong data and relationships occurring in our world.

P-hacking is an issue that is still very prevalent in our modern world. It needs to be tackled in order to avoid issues and inaction in regards to our community. Choosing not to practice P-hacking means moving forward and progressing into a world were there is transparency between the general public and the scientific community thus resulting in a better effort to create a sustainable future and positively impact the environment.

Questions…

1. Have you ever come across any form of P-hacking in the media or your life? What impact did it have on you? Globally? 

2. Have you ever experienced or heard of the impact of using unreliable models?  e.g. surgery complications etc. 

3. To what extent does the media and money influence the impact of P-hacking on our society and environment? Provide examples to support your answer.