Appraising and accelerating theoretical progress in memory modification research with meta-science, Bayesian statistics, and an open-collaborative approach.

Descripción del proyecto

Procesos de modificación de la memoria mediante estadísticas bayesianas

La psicología y la neurociencia se centran en comprender los procesos de formación de la memoria, lo cual da lugar a novedosas intervenciones y terapias cognitivas a partir de modificaciones de la memoria. Sin embargo, los estudios teóricos en este campo carecen de la fiabilidad necesaria y tienen una capacidad de diagnóstico baja. El uso predominante de estadísticas frecuentistas limita las inferencias estadísticas informativas. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos AAT financiará una beca individual de evaluación sistemática del estudio de modificación de la memoria mediante estadísticas bayesianas basada en normas de la ciencia abierta para lograr el mayor progreso teórico. Una formación sobre competencias metodológicas transferibles y una estrecha colaboración con expertos europeos ayudarán al científico a obtener conocimientos especializados en ámbitos en los que convergen la psicología experimental y la metainvestigación.

Objetivo

This fellowship will involve appraising and accelerating theoretical progress in memory modification research with Bayesian statistics, collaboration, and open science. I have proposed an ambitious and innovative research agenda that complements my existing knowledge and skillset (memory modification, meta-science, open science) with the expertise of my prospective supervisor (Bayesian statistics, open science, collaborative science). Theoretical progress in the field of memory modification has stalled due to problems with the credibility of the published literature. Issues include small sample sizes, a lack of transparency, and low theoretical diagnosticity. Additionally, the predominant use of frequentist statistics limits opportunities for informative statistical inferences, particularly quantifying evidence for the null hypothesis. The proposed research will involve a systematic appraisal of the memory modification field using Bayesian statistics and a consortium project based on open science principles to accelerate theoretical progress. The procedures developed could be usefully extended to other research areas through collaboration with domain experts. This research agenda will provide me with ample training opportunities to develop a strong repertoire of statistical, methodological, and transferable skills. I will be in an excellent position to enrich my unique research portfolio and publish research outputs in high quality open access outlets. The mobility and reintegration aspects of the fellowship will be especially beneficial in helping me to consolidate existing European collaborations and develop new professional relationships in the Netherlands’ burgeoning meta-science network. In sum, the fellowship will provide me with the training and opportunities I need to lay the foundations of my career as an independent scientist, eventually leading my own European research group at the intersection of experimental psychology and meta-research.