Cutting Edge Science

The Null Hypothesis and Ockham's Razor

I had a very interesting encounter at the weekend with a certain well known biomechanics geek who has measured just about everything there is to measure in the dressage world and used these measurements to develop more ‘humane’ products for the elite dressage riders to reduce certain elements of the discomfort felt by their horse. Think anatomical girths, bridles with shaped headpieces and padded crank nosebands (now there is an ironic juxtaposition). After years of publishing their material open source, they now have a PhD and have been published in peer reviewed journals, which in scientific terms means they should be taken seriously. Unfortunately, like many soft science researchers who get to this stage, this superior status can now be weaponised to discredit those who aren’t backed and funded by a major conglomerate and haven’t managed to achieve similar status and are still publishing open source.

If, during a discussion about different ways of doing things, especially with hors…