Research Diversity, Disruptive Science, and Scientific Consensus

Research diversity—a variety of priors, methodological approaches, and objectives in a field of inquiry—helps maximize scientific progress. Research diversity is indispensable for the same reason that biodiversity is essential for the physical survival of species. In addition to explaining the benefits of research diversity and risks of “monoculture” when it is lacking, the paper describes the environment needed for research diversity to flourish.