Marcus Munafò

1 month ago | biorxiv.org | Martin Farley |Marcus Munafò |Anna Lewis |Benoit R Nicolet

AbstractScience is, in principle, self-correcting, but there is growing evidence that such self-correction can be slow, and that spurious findings continue to drive research activity that is no longer justified. Here we highlight the environmental impact of this failure to self-correct sufficiently rapidly.

Jul 24, 2024 | researchprofessionalnews.com | Marcus Munafò

Internal meta research units could help tackle challenges of resourcing and culture, says Marcus MunafòThere is growing interest in meta research in the UK. Also known as metascience, or research-on-research, this is the study of the research ecosystem itself, using a range of methods from the sciences and social sciences.

Jun 28, 2024 | nature.com | Claire Garnett |Colin Angus |Susan Michie |Marcus Munafò

AbstractThis is a process evaluation of a large UK-based randomised controlled trial (RCT) (n = 5602) evaluating the effectiveness of recommending an alcohol reduction app, Drink Less, compared with usual digital care in reducing alcohol consumption in increasing and higher risk drinkers. The aim was to understand whether participants’ engagement (‘self-reported adherence’) and behavioural characteristics were mechanisms of action underpinning the effectiveness of Drink Less.

Mar 26, 2024 | bmj.com | Marcus Munafò

Marcus Munafò, professor of biological psychology and MRC investigatorSchool of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UKmarcus.munafo{at}bristol.ac.ukThe association between consumption of ultra-processed food and adverse health outcomes seems to be established.1 As with most observational epidemiology, however, the key question is whether this reflects a causal relation. To do this, we need to go beyond ever larger studies, …

Mar 4, 2024 | bmj.com | Marcus Munafò

Dear EditorThe association between consumption of ultra-processed food and adverse health outcomes appears to be established. However, as with most observational epidemiology, the key question is whether this reflects a causal relationship. To do this, we need to go beyond ever larger studies, which will provide ever more precise estimates (but which may be ever more precisely wrong with respect to the question of causality, given well known problems of unmeasured and residual confounding).