Durham points the way for rapid delivery global surveys
8 Dec 2024
Durham university says it has achieved one of the highest ever response rates for a global, large scale scientific survey.
Professor Peter Vickers says the novel methodology employed enabled rapid assessment of scientific consensus worldwide, which his team hopes will help reshape policy making in a wide range of study areas.
Carried out June 2023, it encompassed 30 institutions in 12 countries. Of the 20,000 scientists contacted, a substantial 6,807 responded.
The survey consisted of a 10 second questionnaire for reactions to a single-statement survey on COVID-19 causation.
Researchers said the methodology, which produced the “highest ever” response rate for a large global survey, indicated how a robust, scalable approach for gauging scientific opinion with high response rates and low opt-out levels, could be created offering quick turnarounds.
Reflecting on the study Professor Peter Vickers of Durham University said: “Humanity has never before had access to data on global scientific community opinion, on any topic, at any time.
“We’re right on the cusp of being able to deliver that and I’m truly excited to see where this could lead.”
Overall, the work boasted a 33.9% response rate, while among physicists, biologists, and earth scientists, levels attained were as high as 55% at certain institutions. Since then, a follow-up survey at Argentina's CONICET, achieved nearly unanimous agreement.
The Durham team reported that their method has been expanded to include more than 50,000 scientists across 80 institutions worldwide.
Pic: Prasesh Shiwakoti
