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| Is there any point to 'frivolous' academic research? | Is there any point to 'frivolous' academic research? |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Is there anything to be learned from academic research on how to make the perfect slice of toast and whether monkeys can write Shakespeare? | Is there anything to be learned from academic research on how to make the perfect slice of toast and whether monkeys can write Shakespeare? |
| If you sit monkeys at a computer, will they type the works of the Bard? No, they will partially destroy the machine, use it as a lavatory and mostly type the letter "s". It took university researchers one month and £2,000 of Arts Council England money to find this out. | If you sit monkeys at a computer, will they type the works of the Bard? No, they will partially destroy the machine, use it as a lavatory and mostly type the letter "s". It took university researchers one month and £2,000 of Arts Council England money to find this out. |
| Changes are now being proposed for how public money is awarded for university research. In future funding for researchers might be assessed in part on the impact their work has had in social, economic and cultural terms. | |
| There are reports that if such changes are introduced it could put an end to seemingly trivial research projects - which often make great headlines in the newspapers but seem to have little, if any, intellectual rigour. But is this fair? Are populist papers just a waste of time? | |
| GET THE POINT? The side effects of sword swallowing and other studiesWhat three pieces of research taught us. Read more here | GET THE POINT? The side effects of sword swallowing and other studiesWhat three pieces of research taught us. Read more here |
| While there is plenty of sniffiness about headline-grabbing research stunts in the fusty corridors of academe, there are many willing to defend this type of work. The findings seized on by the media - often with the help of sharp-minded university publicity folk - are often not the aim of research, just a by-product of it, say those in the field. An academic's life work will not solely be about finding the formula for the perfect cheese sarnie. | While there is plenty of sniffiness about headline-grabbing research stunts in the fusty corridors of academe, there are many willing to defend this type of work. The findings seized on by the media - often with the help of sharp-minded university publicity folk - are often not the aim of research, just a by-product of it, say those in the field. An academic's life work will not solely be about finding the formula for the perfect cheese sarnie. |
| "These more trivial findings often come out of long-term work on much more serious stuff," says Paul Cotrell, of the University College Union. | "These more trivial findings often come out of long-term work on much more serious stuff," says Paul Cotrell, of the University College Union. |
| "Or a professor might do something frivolous to promote a university in the media or the course they teach. It's a brilliant way of getting headlines, but they are not being employed just to find out the formula for the perfect cheese sandwich." | "Or a professor might do something frivolous to promote a university in the media or the course they teach. It's a brilliant way of getting headlines, but they are not being employed just to find out the formula for the perfect cheese sandwich." |
| This formula, which all comes down to the thickness of the type of cheese you are using, was in fact funded by the British Cheese Council, and carried out by Dr Len Fisher at Bristol University. He had previously researched the issue of the perfect way to dunk a biscuit. | This formula, which all comes down to the thickness of the type of cheese you are using, was in fact funded by the British Cheese Council, and carried out by Dr Len Fisher at Bristol University. He had previously researched the issue of the perfect way to dunk a biscuit. |
| "Often industry funds this type of stuff," says a spokesman for the Science Media Centre, which promotes science in the news. "It usually doesn't involve much time on the part of the academic but earns them money and gets their name and university in the paper." | "Often industry funds this type of stuff," says a spokesman for the Science Media Centre, which promotes science in the news. "It usually doesn't involve much time on the part of the academic but earns them money and gets their name and university in the paper." |
| Silly science | Silly science |
| For many academics, research is the most prized part of their job - a chance to broaden their knowledge in the hope it will lead to breakthroughs in understanding and contribute to the wider intellectual discourse. While populist research papers can make a splash in the news, its in academic journals and books that their work is evaluated by peers. | For many academics, research is the most prized part of their job - a chance to broaden their knowledge in the hope it will lead to breakthroughs in understanding and contribute to the wider intellectual discourse. While populist research papers can make a splash in the news, its in academic journals and books that their work is evaluated by peers. |
| While it may be a mysterious world to those on the outside, in one way it operates like most other industries - it is highly competitive. A key to career progression is the "impact factor" and getting published and your name known. | While it may be a mysterious world to those on the outside, in one way it operates like most other industries - it is highly competitive. A key to career progression is the "impact factor" and getting published and your name known. |
| "A high impact factor is important because it means more kudos and respect within the research world, which can translate into more funding for other work," says the centre's spokesman. | "A high impact factor is important because it means more kudos and respect within the research world, which can translate into more funding for other work," says the centre's spokesman. |
| Celebrity does not further careers in academic research, excellent research does Paul CotrellUniversity College Union | Celebrity does not further careers in academic research, excellent research does Paul CotrellUniversity College Union |
| Such studies also get "unsexy" subjects like science in the media, making it accessible to the man in the street. | Such studies also get "unsexy" subjects like science in the media, making it accessible to the man in the street. |
| "The sillier aspect of science is often publicised and that does have benefits," says Nick Dusic, director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK. | "The sillier aspect of science is often publicised and that does have benefits," says Nick Dusic, director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK. |
| "But most of the work that is done is serious and about advancing knowledge. That needs to be covered by the media as well. There is a place for both." | "But most of the work that is done is serious and about advancing knowledge. That needs to be covered by the media as well. There is a place for both." |
| Reputation needs to be carefully managed though, as being too populist can lead to prejudice and handicap someone's career. | Reputation needs to be carefully managed though, as being too populist can lead to prejudice and handicap someone's career. |
| "Celebrity does not further careers in academic research, excellent work does," says Mr Cotrell. | "Celebrity does not further careers in academic research, excellent work does," says Mr Cotrell. |
| Missed message | Missed message |
| In 2003, the papers were full of reports of a formula for the "perfect slice of toast". | In 2003, the papers were full of reports of a formula for the "perfect slice of toast". |
| The man behind the research, Bronek Wedzicha, a food scientist at Leeds University, appeared on news bulletins in the UK and abroad, explaining the optimum temperatures of bread and butter for the tastiest toast. | The man behind the research, Bronek Wedzicha, a food scientist at Leeds University, appeared on news bulletins in the UK and abroad, explaining the optimum temperatures of bread and butter for the tastiest toast. |
| "The equation, which was spurious, captured the imagination but we didn't get the flavour-release message across. It was aimed at the food industry and scientists working in flavour science and people who are formulating food and trying to work out what properties they need. | "The equation, which was spurious, captured the imagination but we didn't get the flavour-release message across. It was aimed at the food industry and scientists working in flavour science and people who are formulating food and trying to work out what properties they need. |
| The frivolous can come from the serious | The frivolous can come from the serious |
| "What we had done with butter applied more widely to food formulations, the way flavours are released and flavours absorbed by bread or other foods like potatoes." | "What we had done with butter applied more widely to food formulations, the way flavours are released and flavours absorbed by bread or other foods like potatoes." |
| Butter manufacturer Lurpak wanted some publicity and funded the research to the tune of £10,000 - half of it funded the toast research, half went to the university to fund projects like student scholarships. | Butter manufacturer Lurpak wanted some publicity and funded the research to the tune of £10,000 - half of it funded the toast research, half went to the university to fund projects like student scholarships. |
| "We wouldn't work exclusively to do PR, we have to have an economic return, which in this case was a greater understanding of flavour release mechanism," says Professor Wedzicha. "We got £10,000 and Lurpak got some very good PR out of it." | "We wouldn't work exclusively to do PR, we have to have an economic return, which in this case was a greater understanding of flavour release mechanism," says Professor Wedzicha. "We got £10,000 and Lurpak got some very good PR out of it." |
| For about two years, academics have had to demonstrate the impact of research, he says. But it's very easy to make a joke out of food stories because everyone thinks they know about food and it's very easy to rubbish the science. | For about two years, academics have had to demonstrate the impact of research, he says. But it's very easy to make a joke out of food stories because everyone thinks they know about food and it's very easy to rubbish the science. |
| Additional reporting by Tom Geoghegan | Additional reporting by Tom Geoghegan |
| Academic research can take many forms and it covers a wide range of subjects: | Academic research can take many forms and it covers a wide range of subjects: |
| MONKEYS & THE BARD | MONKEYS & THE BARD |
| The study: A single computer was placed in a monkey enclosure at Paignton Zoo to monitor the literary output of six primates. | The study: A single computer was placed in a monkey enclosure at Paignton Zoo to monitor the literary output of six primates. |
| Who and when: Students at University of Plymouth, 2003, paid for from a £2,000 Arts Council grant | Who and when: Students at University of Plymouth, 2003, paid for from a £2,000 Arts Council grant |
| The aim: To test the "infinite monkey theory", which states that if a monkey hits keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time, it will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare. | The aim: To test the "infinite monkey theory", which states that if a monkey hits keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time, it will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare. |
| What was learnt: The theory is flawed. After one month - admittedly not an "infinite" amount of time - the monkeys had partially destroyed the machine, used it as a lavatory, and mostly typed the letter "s". | What was learnt: The theory is flawed. After one month - admittedly not an "infinite" amount of time - the monkeys had partially destroyed the machine, used it as a lavatory, and mostly typed the letter "s". |
| SWORD SWALLOWING | SWORD SWALLOWING |
| The study: More than 100 sword swallowers from 16 countries were asked about injuries they had suffered practising their skill | The study: More than 100 sword swallowers from 16 countries were asked about injuries they had suffered practising their skill |
| Who and when: Sword swallower Dan Meyer and radiologist Brian Witcombe, published in the British Medical Journal in 2006 | Who and when: Sword swallower Dan Meyer and radiologist Brian Witcombe, published in the British Medical Journal in 2006 |
| The aim: To explore the side-effects of sword swallowing | The aim: To explore the side-effects of sword swallowing |
| What was learnt: They received data from 46 sword swallowers. Common ailments included sore throats, especially when learning the trade. They sometimes damage the oesophagus, although usually not seriously, but major bleeding of the stomach does also happen. They run a higher risk of injury when they are distracted or add to the performance using multiple or oddly-shaped swords. There had been 29 fatalities during the past 100 years. | What was learnt: They received data from 46 sword swallowers. Common ailments included sore throats, especially when learning the trade. They sometimes damage the oesophagus, although usually not seriously, but major bleeding of the stomach does also happen. They run a higher risk of injury when they are distracted or add to the performance using multiple or oddly-shaped swords. There had been 29 fatalities during the past 100 years. |
| TORTURE & TRUTH | TORTURE & TRUTH |
| The study: The examination of 10 methods formerly used by the CIA - including stress positions, sleep deprivation and waterboarding - to extract information from the long-term memories of captives. Method was to test what is known against what is in the scientific literature. | The study: The examination of 10 methods formerly used by the CIA - including stress positions, sleep deprivation and waterboarding - to extract information from the long-term memories of captives. Method was to test what is known against what is in the scientific literature. |
| Who and when: Unfunded research by Professor Shane O'Mara of Trinity College, Dublin, published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Science in Sept 2009 | Who and when: Unfunded research by Professor Shane O'Mara of Trinity College, Dublin, published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Science in Sept 2009 |
| The aim: To explore the belief that extreme stress and anxiety can help in the release of information from memory | The aim: To explore the belief that extreme stress and anxiety can help in the release of information from memory |
| What was learnt: The experience of extreme stressors most likely has a detrimental effect on the brain systems supporting memory, in contrast to the beliefs of the proponents of these techniques. This appears counterintuitive, as many believe that experiencing severe and chronic stress over long periods of time should encourage people to reveal the contents of their memories. However, it appears that severe and prolonged stress has a harmful effect on the areas of the brain supporting memory. | What was learnt: The experience of extreme stressors most likely has a detrimental effect on the brain systems supporting memory, in contrast to the beliefs of the proponents of these techniques. This appears counterintuitive, as many believe that experiencing severe and chronic stress over long periods of time should encourage people to reveal the contents of their memories. However, it appears that severe and prolonged stress has a harmful effect on the areas of the brain supporting memory. |
| What others said: Clinical psychologist David Harper said the research supported other studies in this area, but sheds new light on the biological effects of extreme stress. It's very good, says Mr Harper, because it asks basic questions about the assumptions of people using these techniques. | What others said: Clinical psychologist David Harper said the research supported other studies in this area, but sheds new light on the biological effects of extreme stress. It's very good, says Mr Harper, because it asks basic questions about the assumptions of people using these techniques. |
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| Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| I've never 'got' the infinite monkey theory. If I were to sit randomly tapping keys I'm lucky to get a real word, never mind a sentence. Even if I had an infinaty to play with I'd probably get bored, type 's' repeatedly and deficate on the keyboard before smashing the machine up.Lee, Manchester, UK | I've never 'got' the infinite monkey theory. If I were to sit randomly tapping keys I'm lucky to get a real word, never mind a sentence. Even if I had an infinaty to play with I'd probably get bored, type 's' repeatedly and deficate on the keyboard before smashing the machine up.Lee, Manchester, UK |
| Re: Monkeys and The Bard: I doubt that the original theorist was meaning the use of an actual monkey. More likely the term was meant as a metaphor for something that generates random letters. It is jokes and jokers like this that give science a bad name.Joe Atherton, Stafford, England | Re: Monkeys and The Bard: I doubt that the original theorist was meaning the use of an actual monkey. More likely the term was meant as a metaphor for something that generates random letters. It is jokes and jokers like this that give science a bad name.Joe Atherton, Stafford, England |
| I would've thought that these new guidelines not only exclude fluffy research but most other kinds as well. For example, surely it would exclude research undertaken by many historians as that will not directly meet any of the criteria mentioned? Sounds to me like the government are trying to clamp down on independent thinking and academics going against the status quo.Kim, Leeds, UK | I would've thought that these new guidelines not only exclude fluffy research but most other kinds as well. For example, surely it would exclude research undertaken by many historians as that will not directly meet any of the criteria mentioned? Sounds to me like the government are trying to clamp down on independent thinking and academics going against the status quo.Kim, Leeds, UK |
| I'm happy for spurious research as long as no public money is involved and there is no impact to publically funded research. Publically funded research should have some economic benefit to the UK. Applications for research grants should be assessed within the economic benefit framework.David Henderson, Birchington | I'm happy for spurious research as long as no public money is involved and there is no impact to publically funded research. Publically funded research should have some economic benefit to the UK. Applications for research grants should be assessed within the economic benefit framework.David Henderson, Birchington |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |