How a New Survey Method Transforms Global Science Data

An international study led by Professor Peter Vickers from Durham University introduces a new method to rapidly assess scientific consensus on a global scale. This innovative approach enables the collection of real-time data on the opinions of scientists across diverse fields, geographies, and time periods, which could significantly influence policy-making and public understanding in areas such as health sciences and climate change.

Conducted in June 2023, the study brought together 30 institutions from 12 countries. Over 20,000 scientists were invited to take part, resulting in 6,807 responses to a single-question survey on COVID-19 causation, published in PLOS ONE. The study demonstrated the power of a scalable and efficient method to gauge scientific opinion.

The survey methodology is quick, accessible, and designed for high engagement, achieving the highest-ever response rate for a global scientific survey. By using a concise 10-second survey and leveraging local academic representatives, the study overcame common barriers in large-scale research, such as low response rates and slow data collection.

The study achieved a 33.9% overall response rate, significantly higher than traditional surveys. The response rate was especially high among physicists, biologists, and earth scientists, reaching up to 55% at some institutions. This shows the method's effectiveness in engaging a wide range of scientific disciplines.

By building on local academic networks, the study was able to overcome common challenges such as low international representation. Additionally, the methodology's flexibility allows it to adapt for future research in various fields, offering a powerful tool for gathering global scientific insights.

A follow-up survey at CONICET in Argentina, where initial agreement was lower, showed nearly unanimous agreement. This illustrates how the method can reveal regional differences and explore how methodological decisions affect results.

The new approach holds great promise for conducting large-scale scientific evaluations that can swiftly influence important policy discussions. It has already grown to involve more than 50,000 scientists from 80 institutions across the globe, making it a crucial resource for policymakers, educators, and the general public.