Dr Jolyon Faria and Leeds University for this little gem:
‘They found that pedestrians were up to 2.5 times more likely cross a busy road if someone else stepped out in front of the traffic first. Men were also more likely to follow others into the road than females.’
How much taxpayers’ money was wasted on finding out that, in stress situations, people always look for a leader… All they had to do was ask a soldier, or a fireman, or, well, anybody who works in an occupation where dangerous, stressful situations go with the job.
Sheesh!
Boadicea's Chariot 
“……anybody who works in an occupation where dangerous, stressful situations go with the job.
….”
This would include most Academics, Civil Servants and Politicians.
If garbage research like this was stopped, maybe there would not be a need for such high tuition fees!
Since the universities expanded in number, we have all kinds of ‘research’ coming to the fore, and often discussed in the press or on radio. It’s all about people promoting their career.
I am reminded of a anecdote told to me by a sales consultant travelling in Europe. He was flying back from Hamburg due to depart at 12.00. A delay was announced while some minor technical fault was being repaired. Nothing to worry about. Ready to board in half an hour. After 45 minutes, a further announcement. A further delay of one hour. More technical staff were seen heading through the gate headed for the plane. A third delay was announced and people were getting decidedly ratty. After the fourth delay and about 5 hours late, the announcement was made to commence boarding. Nobody moved. Again it was announced. Still nobody moved. The captain of the plane was called. He announced that the plane was ready to depart and that it was perfectly safe to fly. Still nobody moved. Eventually one old fellow stood up and went to the gate. Immediately everybody else followed. Somehow, despite his complete lack of knowledge, he instilled more confidence in the passengers about the safety of the plane than the crew had been able to do. The message, ‘I don’t mind dying, I just don’t want to look a fool.’ I imagine that if the plane had subsequently crashed, any survivors would have blamed that first passenger. (Though the story is probably apocryphal)