How to incite a scientific revolution: A practical framework of converging evidence for behavioral sciences integration

Gary Brase

Kansas State University

If science is about the pursuit of truth, why do so many scientists disagree? Everyone should agree, at least on most things, according to the idea that there is a consistency of sciences. Others point out that science instead has repeated revolutions, in which one worldview is overthrown for a new worldview. The aim of this work is to outline a way to move behavioral sciences towards greater unity with an integrated framework (possibly inciting revolutions in the process). This is a more practical rather than philosophical approach, that is designed for researchers and others to use as a framework for better evaluating and advancing their chosen research topics. This work integrates previous frameworks (Marr’s computational framework, Tinbergen’s four questions, Schmitt & Pilcher’s converging evidence model) to be more comprehensive, complete, and specifically for the behavioral sciences. The goal is to help behavioral scientists, and other people who pay attention to and evaluate science, with a framework for thinking about topics. We will talk about the advantages and issues of this integrated framework, and examples of using the framework for specific topics.

Note: This event will be held on a Thursday, at the Discourse Lab in Haines Hall, which has limited space (15 people max). Arrive early to get a seat. Also, lunch will not be served for this event.