Interestingness and importance of research
Channel: Mikko Rönkkö
Date: 17/09/2020

The video explores the concepts of interestingness and importance in research and claims, acccording to according to Davis 1971 classic article, "That's interesting" in Philosophy of Social Sciences (https://doi.org/10.1177/004839317100100211). Interestingness is defined as something that challenges prior beliefs or makes people think differently. A claim is considered interesting if it denies a person's existing belief. In contrast, importance relates to the consequences and relevance of findings or theories. Important claims or theories have significant impacts on society or individuals, even if they don't challenge existing beliefs.

The distinction between interestingness and importance is highlighted, noting that interesting things are not always important, and vice versa. While researchers often strive to present interesting findings to attract attention, important findings can sometimes be perceived as boring. The video also discusses the significance of evidence in determining importance, particularly in scientific studies. Replication of studies, while not necessarily interesting, is crucial for validating initial findings and ensuring their broader applicability.

Link to the slides: https://osf.io/wsh2x