10-16-2012, 11:44 PM
The notion that science is objective and rational is flawed.
A partial list of the problems with science include the following:
Scientists often have an agenda. Some examples of agendas include: getting funding, proving their views to be correct, political aims, getting published. These agendas can result in the scientist finding the result he or she is seeking to find.
Many scientific papers, including those published in respected journals fail to demonstrate sound scientific method. Common problems include a failure to control the variables, and conclusions which are not justified by the results. I know whereof I speak on this. My master's thesis was a critical examination of a certain segment of the medical literature, and most studies that I examined were flawed.
Manipulation of results and fabrication of experiments are not unknown in the scientific community.
The decision on what papers get published is made by men. Articles can be rejected or accepted for reasons which have little to do with their actual merit.
A partial list of the problems with science include the following:
Scientists often have an agenda. Some examples of agendas include: getting funding, proving their views to be correct, political aims, getting published. These agendas can result in the scientist finding the result he or she is seeking to find.
Many scientific papers, including those published in respected journals fail to demonstrate sound scientific method. Common problems include a failure to control the variables, and conclusions which are not justified by the results. I know whereof I speak on this. My master's thesis was a critical examination of a certain segment of the medical literature, and most studies that I examined were flawed.
Manipulation of results and fabrication of experiments are not unknown in the scientific community.
The decision on what papers get published is made by men. Articles can be rejected or accepted for reasons which have little to do with their actual merit.