Knowledge in the dark: scientific challenges and ways forward

Abstract

A key dimension of our current era is Big Data, the rapid rise in produced data and information; a key frustration is that we are nonetheless living in an age of ignorance, as the real knowledge and understanding of people does not seem to be substantially increasing. This development has critical consequences, for example it limits the ability to find and apply effective solutions to pressing environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Here, we propose the concept of “knowledge in the dark”—or short: dark knowledge—and outline how it can help clarify key reasons for this development: ( i) production of biased, erroneous, or fabricated data and information; ( ii) inaccessibility and ( iii) incomprehensibility of data and information; and ( iv) loss of previous knowledge. Even in the academic realm, where financial interests are less pronounced than in the private sector, several factors lead to dark knowledge, that is they inhibit a more substantial increase in knowledge and understanding. We highlight four of these factors—loss of academic freedom, research biases, lack of reproducibility, and the Scientific tower of Babel—and offer ways to tackle them, for example establishing an international court of arbitration for research and developing advanced tools for research synthesis.

Hidden and forbidden: conceptualising Dark Knowledge

“…Despite the clear interest in the concept of Dark Knowledge, there remains little or no attempt to clearly conceptualise it beyond brief definitions. Jeschke et al (2019) present their own view of Dark Knowledge (or 'knowledge in the dark') but they posit that Dark Knowledge is 'the gap between real and potential knowledge' (see Figure 2). In this context, they propose that Dark Knowledge is in fact 'a particular part of ignorance for which a specific term (and definition) has been lacking thus far.'…”

Open Knowledge Maps: Visuelle Literatursuche basierend auf den Prinzipien von Open Science

“…Das Phänomen, dass eigentlich öffentliches Wissen im Verborgenen bleibt, hat seit kurzem einen Namen: "Dark Knowledge" (Jeschke et al 2019 (Nicolaisen & Frandsen 2019).…”

Fundamental research questions in subterranean biology

“…To capitalize on the volume of this information and make the most of it (e.g. Ioannidis, 2005; Jeschke et al ., 2019), it is becoming increasingly important for scientists to explore effective ways to capture the latest advances in their field or related fields of research. Horizon scanning – that is the systematic examination of information to identify emerging issues and opportunities in a given research area – has become a useful tool to summarize and determine research priorities and agendas (Sutherland et al ., 2011).…”