Researchers can take several steps to mitigate confirmation bias in catalysis:
Adopt a Hypothesis-Agnostic Approach: Designing experiments that test multiple hypotheses can help avoid the trap of confirmation bias. This approach encourages considering alternative explanations for the observed data. Peer Review and Replication: Rigorous peer review and replication of experiments by independent researchers can help identify and correct biases. Sharing data and methodologies openly facilitates this process. Statistical Analysis: Employing robust statistical methods can help distinguish between genuine effects and artefacts of confirmation bias. Researchers should be transparent about their data analysis techniques and report all findings, including negative results. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborating with researchers from different fields can provide fresh perspectives and challenge entrenched beliefs, reducing the likelihood of confirmation bias.
