Personal tastes steer biodiversity research toward vertebrates, UNSW studies find
Two new studies from UNSW say researchers pick topics by preference and culture, such as exposure to films, TV and zoos, instead of filling key knowledge gaps.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
Two new studies from the University of New South Wales examined how researchers choose biodiversity topics. They found choices are often driven by personal preferences and cultural attitudes, including exposure to films, TV shows and zoos. The result is that vertebrates dominate the field.
Why it matters
Choices driven by taste rather than the most pressing knowledge gaps leave most living things under-studied.
Coverage
- Researchers are ignoring most living things: Analysis finds vertebrates dominate biodiversity research (phys.org)
- Scientists' preferences may hold back animal science discoveries, per a study (Blurbed by)
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