Psychologists conclude that most psychological research studies are flawed

How reliable are the conclusions of experts who perform psychological studies? According to a new report, the vast majority are unreliable:

August 28, 2015

In an unprecedented analysis, a team of 270 researchers redid 100 studies published in three top psychology journals. The team was interested in duplicating them as closely as possible to see whether they held up. Only 35 did so, according to the most frequently used statistical test. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/08/28/science/psychology-studies-redid.html?_r=0

How ‘scientific’ is the rest of the modern science community? Well, not as much as many hope. Notice the following:

August 28, 2015

The leaders of the new study picked psychology to scrutinize because they are themselves psychologists. Their concerns — and the concerns of other reformers such as John Ioannidis, author of the famous paper “Why most published research findings are false” — go to the incentive systems and professional pressures that affect all scientists. It’s not just psychologists who are under pressure to find significant results that can be published in prestigious journals. It’s not just psychologists who engage in data dredging.

And by the way: If you made a list of major science retractions, controversies and embarrassing episodes in recent years, you’d see a full range of disciplines in the mix. From our earlier story:

Consider “cold fusion”: In 1989, two scientists claimed to have achieved nuclear fusion at room temperature, previously considered impossible. It was a bombshell announcement — but no one else could replicate their work. Cold fusion didn’t take off because mainstream scientists realized it wasn’t real.

A more recent case involved “arsenic life.” In 2010 a paper in Science suggested that a bacterium in Mono Lake, Calif., used arsenic instead of phosphorus in its genetic code and represented a new form of life. Rosemary Redfield, a scientist, cast doubt on the conclusion, and other researchers couldn’t replicate the finding. The consensus is that it was a misinterpretation.

In early 2014, the scientific world was rocked by a tragic case in Japan. A young scientist, Haruko Obokata, claimed to have found evidence for a phenomenon called “STAP,” stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency — a way to manipulate ordinary cells to turn them into stem cells capable of growing into a variety of tissues.

Last year we ran a ton of stories about the BICEP2 experiment. That was physics at its heroic best: They found, apparently, gravitational waves from the dawn of time. It made such a huge splash that people were talking about Nobel Prizes in the offing. But the “discovery” got walked back in a big way. It may yet hold up on further observation, but that was a case of scientists getting ahead of their facts and holding a premature triumphant press conference.

Earlier this year, I reported about problems with ‘scientists’ and many of their conclusions (see ‘Science’ concludes that perhaps half of what is called science is probably false).

As a scientist, I have seen first-hand how biases, money, ‘political correctness,’ and corruption have affected the scientific community. Researchers who do not promote the product/service/position that they are funded to research have a tendency to lose future funding.

This is part of why we see certain information about ‘homosexual genes,’ ‘climate change,’ vaccines, medications, GMOs, child rearing, religion, church history, evolution, economics, and a host of other topics.

The nonsense about evolution being ‘scientific’ has long been a joke. Some claims about the science related to that are so bizarre (see New Times: ‘There is no other side to evolution’) that no right thinking real scientist could accept them (see also Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical?).

Much of the research that is published is bought and paid for by those interested in promoting certain results–including those wanted by employees in various governments.

Even in the days of the Apostle Paul, certain ‘knowledge’ was falsely called ‘science.’ Here are two translations:

20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge — 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:20-21, NKJV)

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:20-21, KJV).

Problems of contradictions of what is called ‘knowledge/science’ exist to this day.

While Jesus taught that “scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35), He also warned “beware of men” (Matthew 10:17.

If there ever is an apparent contradiction between the Bible and ‘science’ remember that the Bible teaches:

4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)

The Bible is scientific and reliable. Not all ‘scientists are.

Many who claim to be scientists or ‘experts’ simply are not and are relying on information that is false. When it comes to issues of morality, “let God be true but every man a liar.”

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge. Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Where the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long? Here is a link to a sermon: Genesis, ‘Prehistoric man,’ and the Gap theory. Here is a link to a related article in Spanish: ¿Cuán vieja es la Tierra? ¿Cuán largos fueron los Días de la Creación? ¿Teoría de la brecha?
Questions and Answers from Genesis Many wonder about certain early events that this article discusses.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
Making Your Marriage Work Marriage is not always easy, but it pictures a divine relationship. How can you make your marriage work? Here is a link to the video sermon: You Can Make YOUR Marriage Work.
Five Rules for Effective Parenting Do you know that there are five simple rules that can make you a more effective parent? Here is a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese 五条简单有效的子女养育规则. There is also a 12 1/2 minute English language YouTube video on this, also titled Five Rules for Effective Parenting.
What Psychologists do not Know About Child Rearing This is an article by Herbert Armstrong that was used as the introduction to the pdf booklet The Plain Truth About Child Rearing.
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line? What are chimeras? Has science crossed the line? Does the Bible give any clues?
The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? A YouTube video is available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
Building Character: Going on to Perfection Once you have accepted Jesus, do you need to strive for perfection and build character? A related video sermon is available: Going on to perfection and building character.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
 Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?