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Is the Knowledge Factory Broken?

Dodgy data, contradictory findings, perverse incentives – the challenges facing academia.

Academic research stands accused of turning a blind eye to dodgy data, failing to reconcile contradictory findings and valuing money over knowledge. We examine the criticisms, which go the very heart of our pursuit of knowledge.

(Photo: Scientist working in a research laboratory. Credit: Shutterstock)

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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 13 Nov 201707:06GMT
BBC World Service East Asia

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Broadcasts

  • Thu 9 Nov 201700:06GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only
  • Thu 9 Nov 201703:06GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & West and Central Africa only
  • Thu 9 Nov 201704:06GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
  • Thu 9 Nov 201707:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia & East and Southern Africa only
  • Thu 9 Nov 201708:06GMT
    BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East
  • Thu 9 Nov 201715:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Thu 9 Nov 201718:06GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Thu 9 Nov 201723:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia, Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Mon 13 Nov 201704:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Mon 13 Nov 201706:06GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia
  • Mon 13 Nov 201707:06GMT
    BBC World Service East Asia

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  • The Inquiry

    The Inquiry explores the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world