Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026
05:02
Comparing Bibliometric Analysis Using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Databases
Published on: October 24, 2019
33.6K
Interests, Bias, and Consensus in Science and Regulation.
Yehoshua Socol1, Yair Y Shaki1, Moshe Yanovskiy1,2
1Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel.
Summary
Scientific consensus can be biased by political and economic interests, even in publicly funded research. True scientific consensus requires scrutiny from those who would benefit from disproving a hypothesis.
Area of Science:
- Science and Technology Policy
- Research Integrity
- Scientific Communication
Background:
- Scientific research is susceptible to bias stemming from political and economic interests, affecting both privately and publicly funded studies.
- This bias can lead to the formation of scientific consensus that is not evidence-based, undermining the integrity of scientific discourse.
- Appeals to scientific consensus are valid for policy and regulation but inappropriate within scientific discussions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the influence of special interests on scientific consensus.
- To differentiate legitimate scientific consensus from biased consensus.
- To provide criteria for evaluating the reliability of scientific statements and models.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical examples of long-standing, erroneous scientific consensus.
- Analysis of the role of funding sources and special interests in shaping research outcomes.
- Development of a framework for assessing the validity of scientific consensus.
Main Results:
- Documented cases where scientific consensus persisted for decades despite lacking empirical evidence.
- Identification of mechanisms through which political and economic interests compromise scientific objectivity.
- Demonstration that consensus among those with vested interests does not equate to scientific validity.
Conclusions:
- Scientific consensus should be viewed critically, especially when influenced by potential beneficiaries of the consensus.
- For policy decisions, scientific statements require validation by independent experts, particularly those who stand to gain from refuting the statement.
- Consulting specialists from adjacent fields is crucial for an unbiased evaluation of scientific claims and models.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Confirmation Biases
8.1K
The confirmation bias is the tendency to focus on information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that is inconsistent with our expectations. For example, if you think that your professor is not very nice, you notice all of the instances of rude behavior exhibited by the professor while ignoring the countless pleasant interactions he is involved in on a daily basis. Have you ever fallen prey to the confirmation bias, either as the source or target of such bias?
8.1K
01:12Hindsight Biases
4.2K
Hindsight bias leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn’t. In other words, you knew all along that things would turn out the way they did. Can you relate this to the phrase "Hindsight is 20/20" now?
4.2K
01:22Bias
7.3K
Bias refers to any tendency that prevents a question from being considered unprejudiced. In research, bias occurs when one outcome or answer is selected or encouraged over others in sampling or testing. Bias can occur during any research phase, including study design, data collection, analysis, and publication.
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
7.3K
01:13Psychology as a Science
3.8K
Psychology, as a scientific discipline, aims to understand the mind and behavior through rigorous and systematic methods. The foundation of psychological research is evidence-based, relying heavily on the scientific method to derive and validate knowledge. This structured approach ensures that findings are reliable, valid, and applicable to broader contexts.
The scientific method in psychology involves six critical steps: making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting tests, analyzing...
The scientific method in psychology involves six critical steps: making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting tests, analyzing...
3.8K
01:20Diode: Forward bias
2.1K
In semiconductor devices, diodes play a crucial role in directing current flow, and its operation is primarily categorized into forward bias and reverse bias. A diode is said to be forward-biased when its p-type region is connected to the positive terminal of a battery and its n-type region is linked to the negative terminal. This configuration reduces the potential barrier within the diode, allowing current to flow easily from the p to the n-type region.
The behavior of a diode in forward bias...
The behavior of a diode in forward bias...
2.1K
01:22Biasing of FET
689
Biasing a Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) is crucial for setting operational parameters and ensuring efficient functioning in electronic circuits. JFETs are characterized by using a single carrier type in N-channel or P-channel configurations, where the channel is surrounded by PN junctions. These junctions are central to the device's ability to control current flow.
In an N-channel JFET, the structure consists of N-type material forming the channel on a P-type substrate, with the...
In an N-channel JFET, the structure consists of N-type material forming the channel on a P-type substrate, with the...
689