Research shows pandemic increased awareness of scientific research, not understanding

The report, by Economist Impact and Elsevier, surveyed more than 3000 researchers and academics and found the pandemic had widely increased public scrutiny - but not understanding - of scientific research.

Sense about Science director and chair of a global expert panel that discussed the findings Tracey Brown said the pandemic "exploded" the numbers of people who used research evidence "by millions".

"Researchers had to bring decision-makers, the public and reporters in on all those questions about how reliable a study is, and how convincing its findings are," she said.

"And they did this - they did it incredibly well the world over, with innovation and determination, but at some price."

Of those surveyed, 69 per cent - more than two thirds - believe the pandemic has increased the importance of separating quality research from misinformation and, nearly a quarter of academics, at 23 per cent, considered publicly countering misinformation as one of their primary roles compared to 16 per cent before the pandemic.

Seventy-four per cent perceived the most important marker of reliability as being published in a peer-reviewed journal - a process that can be lengthy - but more than half, at 52 per cent, found the pandemic prompted research to be published early.

Australian Government chief medical officer Professor Paul Kelly said this week the "overseas experience" of new Omicron variants XXB and BQ.1 that were driving the new wave was increased case numbers and, in turn, hospitalisations.

"While evidence is still emerging, the experience to date with these two variants overseas is that they do not appear to pose a greater risk of severe illness and death - and that the COVID-19 vaccines provide good protection against these outcomes," the statement said.

Professor Kelly urged Australians to "focus on the actions we can all take to reduce the threat of these new variants, keep the pressure off our health care workers and hospitals and continue to look forward to our summer plans": Keeping on top of vaccinations, wearing a mask in public and staying home if unwell.

Latest federal government vaccine data showed over 5 million eligible Australians aged 16 and over had received their fourth booster, which was made available for eligible Australians in July this year.

This was compared to over 14.2 million with three doses, and over 19.7 million who had been double jabbed.

Retired consultant psychiatrist and pandemic mental health author Dr Paul Valent said while most people would continue to follow public health advice, it was important research was communicated appropriately as fatigue could make "reasonable people" waver in taking actions like boosting their vaccinations.

"The air of pushback against ongoing restrictions was typified by demonstrations threatening violence some months ago," he said.

"Scientific information has to be presented in a particular way, which is concise, direct, non-conflicting, like if you start giving people two or three options they start to waver."

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