Durham points the way for rapid delivery global surveys
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
Related Content
Gatsby: a benchmark for STEM success
The Gatsby Foundation’s benchmarks are helping transform school careers guidance. Good news for STEM employers, says Rachel Bibby, who explains …
When plasma leaves the laboratory
The orbital laboratory is evolving into something more ambitious, a controlled industrial environment for producing next-generation materials, explains Ed Smith and Andrew Griffiths. …
Maths award adds up to nearly £2.8 mill for exchange research
Two of Sweden’s leading institutions have donated the equivalent of £2.78 million to fund 16 mathematicians for work ranging from …
