Department of Agronomy

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We object to bad science : poor research practices should be discouraged
(ASSAf, 2020-07-10) Mothapo, Palesa N.; Phiri, Ethel E.; Maduna, Tando L.; Malgas, Rhoda; Richards, Rose; Sylvester, Taime T.; Nsikani, Mlungele; Boonzaaier-Davids, Melissa K.; Moshobane, Moleseng C.
On 8 June 2020, we, a diverse group of African emerging researchers, published a response to the commentary titled ‘Why are black South African students less likely to consider studying biological sciences?’ (1)published in the South Africa Journal of Science (SAJS). There aremounting arguments, in both print and social media, regarding themerits of the Nattrass (2020) commentary, particularly around itsstrong racial undertones as well as poor and unethical researchpractices. Nattrass’ commentary has been intensely divisive, managingto engender stereotypes, anger, and disappointment. Conflictingarguments have emerged, which involve responses by otheracademics, politicians, and the public, but much of the furore has beenstrongly biased towards and along racial lines, with very little attentiondirected at the flawed nature of the research.