It is striking that despite radical shifts in media and technology in recent years, the way we conduct research has remained largely unchanged. Scientists recruit research participants and run studies. We write up findings for other scientists. We speak at conferences to other scientists. We publish our findings in journals read by (and until recently, not easily accessed by) the general public. How many journal articles have you written compared to the number of Wikipedia entries you’ve written/edited? Now think about how many people search and read Wikipedia versus PubMed. Clearly there is a disconnect between where we publish the research we generate and where the public goes to find knowledge.
