'Duh' science: Why researchers spend so much time proving the obvious

[n2doc]

By Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times
May 28, 2011, 4:39 p.m.
Medical researchers have unlocked the human genome, wiped out smallpox and made great strides in the fight against AIDS.

They have also published studies revealing that:

Alcohol increases reaction time and errors during decision-making.

• People who live in safe, well-lit neighborhoods are more likely to walk and get exercise.

• College drinking is just as bad as researchers thought, but not worse than expected (try pondering that one after chugging a beer).

Well, duh, you might think — and you wouldn't be the first. The practice of hypothesizing, testing and publishing the seemingly obvious is widespread.

more

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-sci-duh-20110529,0,725109.story

[Taitertots]

1. Because there is always a cranky scientist in the background yelling "prove it"

The history of science is filled with "Obvious" truths that were later proved to be false.

[Exultant Democracy]

4. Like the aether which was obvious for over a thousand years and damned hard to kill.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. To qualify for future government grant money by proving the researchers

accomplished "something" with their current funds?

[individual rights]

5. You nailed it...

It's nothing more than research industry greed.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Welcome to DU (and not just because you agreed with me)!

:hi:

[TheMadMonk]

8. Not entirely. You have to do quantitative and qualititaive analysis...

...of even the most obvious things such as the effects of drinking because the information obtained allows for the proper calibration of other "less obvious" research. Such as defining external factors which might multiply the effects of alcohol (or vice versa). (ie medications, rarified atmosphere, etc.)

Safe, well lit. What makes it safe? The good lighting? Or is the good lighting considered ecconomically more attractiive in high traffic neighbourhoods? Silly question? Not really. High traffic alone will improve general safety, and if something occurs to create high traffic, the lights will follow. If traffic and oversight remains low, it may well be possible that no amount of lighting will deter assault or attract traffic.

College drinking feeds straight into insurance acturial tables if nowhere else.

It's all of some utility and value and even established research needs to be revisited from time to time. With better input data, different techniques, improved instrumentation, and so forth.

[Fumesucker]

3. It's obvious the world is flat.. n/t

[phantom power]

7. Because lots of things that are "obvious" turn out to be bullshit?