Did small-brained ancient people bury their dead?

The archaeology team say yes, and that is shown in a Netflix documentary.

The peer reviewed science says that the evidence isn't there.

This article covers the story, including how a new peer review process might not work as well as intended.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02415-w

"High-profile researchers say small-brained Homo naledi exhibited advanced behaviours such as burials, but peer reviewers say there’s no evidence."

#science #researchethics #archaeology #caves #academicpublishing #publishing #AcademicEthics #academia #netflix

This is a long read, and a fascinating article exposing Spanish academics that have published an unfeasible number of papers each year. As in, a paper evey couple of days.

A researcher who publishes a study every two days reveals the darker side of science
https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2023-06-04/a-researcher-who-publishes-a-study-every-two-days-reveals-the-darker-side-of-science.html

#AcademicEthics #academia #science #research #publication #academicpublishing #papermills #MDPI

I never knew about this US 'market' where high school students are coached by researchers (who seem to get paid well) to write research papers, which are then hosted as preprints or published in student research journals (for a fee, of course). All to help those prileged enough to afford this to get into university.

The Newest College Admissions Ploy: Paying to Make Your Teen a “Peer-Reviewed” https://www.propublica.org/article/college-high-school-research-peer-review-publications

#AcademicEthics #academia #academicchatter #universitylife #HigherEd #researchethics #ResearchIntegrity #research

Is Frontiers Media a Predatory Publisher?

The authors at the Predatory Reports team say yes, and provide this evidence
https://predatoryreports.org/news/f/is-frontiers-media-a-predatory-publisher

#academia #AcademicEthics #publishing #researchethics #research #predatoryjournals #openaccess