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Summary
The democratization of research practices has become almost ubiquitous, and an increasingly expanding part of many research teams. There has been a lot of discussion and sharing about the benefits of democratization programs, and case studies shared on how to make them effectively work. As the reach of this approach grows though, there are a number of emerging voices who are starting to question the way in which democratization programs are being used and rolled out. As well as asking difficult questions about the extent to which they should be deployed in the first place, and how they are able to work, rather than undermine, traditional research sciences.
Key Insights
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Democratization of research can lead to a lack of rigor and integrity in findings.
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Not all company personnel are trained to conduct research properly, leading to poor quality insights.
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Specialization in research, as in other fields, is crucial to ensure quality outcomes.
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Effective research requires a structured approach and clear guardrails to maintain quality.
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The Dunning-Kruger effect can lead non-experts to overestimate their research capabilities.
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Good research involves more than asking questions; it requires skills in evidence collection, bias awareness, and ethical considerations.
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Research must have a point of view supported by evidence to be impactful.
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Understanding the nuances of democratization is critical for the future of the research profession.
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Evangelizing the value of research within organizations is often necessary for its acceptance as a vital function.
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Without proper governance, democratization can risk the very purpose and effectiveness of research.
Notable Quotes
"The very word democratization in research is misleading and can sound like propaganda."
"Research is a specialized skill, and the quality of research matters."
"Sometimes good enough isn't good enough."
"What is good enough and what are the risks of good enough?"
"Democratization assumes that everyone in a business is capable of conducting research."
"The value of research is not in delivering data, but in delivering a point of view."
"If anybody could do research, why do we need researchers?"
"Democratization of research should not come at the cost of quality and rigor."
"In professional domains like medicine, we don’t democratize skills like heart surgery for good reason."
"We need to define what democratization means and align as a profession on its implications."
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