13 Overly Honest Methods Researchers Admit They Use

Andy SimmonsUpdated: Mar. 16, 2022

When you think of scientists, isn’t the first image that comes to mind Dr. Victor Frankenstein slaving over his creation 24/7/12/365? Not so fast. Some scientists have opened up about their less-than-rigorous research methodology on Twitter’s #overlyhonestmethods.

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“The sample was biased because the plants were growing in a thorn bush, and I didn’t want to stick my hand in too far.” #overlyhonestmethods

2 / 13

“Incubation lasted three days because that’s how long the undergrad forgot the experiment in the fridge.” #overlyhonestmethods

3 / 13

“Blood samples were spun at 1,500 rpm because the centrifuge made a scary noise at higher speeds.” #overlyhonestmethods

4 / 13

“We tested the theory on undergraduates because they are cheap and available.” #overlyhonestmethods

5 / 13

“Case study location was determined by the availability of free lodging from researcher’s partner.” #overlyhonestmethods

6 / 13

“Cells were harvested at this low OD because I had someplace I needed to go.” #overlyhonestmethods

7 / 13

“I let it react for 20 minutes because that’s how long it took me to eat lunch.” #overlyhonestmethods

8 / 13

“This dye was selected because the bottle was within reach.” #overlyhonestmethods

9 / 13

“The experiment was carried out from 9 am to 5 pm because the lab is deserted and creepy after hours.” #overlyhonestmethods

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“We didn’t read half the papers we cite because they are behind a paywall.” #overlyhonestmethods

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“Our sampling locations happen to match tropical resort towns because field work doesn’t have to be mud and agony.” #overlyhonestmethods

12 / 13

“The temperature controller on the spectrometer wouldn’t go any lower in July, so this is the temperature we used.” #overlyhonestmethods

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“The data is old because in between writing the first draft and doing the revisions I had a baby.” #overlyhonestmethods

Originally Published: March 08, 2013

Originally Published in Reader's Digest

Andy Simmons is a features editor at Reader's Digest.