Bits and Pieces 1: Do Scientists Keep Secrets?
Complaints about “scientific secrecy” are disingenuous: There is very little secrecy in science. Scientific papers are presented and openly debated at meetings where anyone can attend. The peer reviewed papers include the data, the results, and the reasoning and are available at public libraries and many are now online. Also:
Researchers are required to keep records of their research so that any other scientist with comparable training and skills could reproduce the research. The “reproducibility” of the research is an important factor in the reviewer’s evaluation of the research. The public has a right to information produced by publicly funded research and that may be requested through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Usually a “Gatekeeper”, such as the project’s director, is designated to handle FOIA requests. That Gatekeeper has a responsibility to see not only that the public’s rights are upheld, but also to see that the FOIA process is not abused and that the scientists are protected. (1)
Only a few things are kept confidential to preserve the integrity of the peer review process. The main barriers preventing a better understanding of science by the public is not “secrecy”, but poor science education, the lack of responsible and informative reporting by the media, and an ongoing campaign to spread misinformation by those who find the conclusions of science inconvenient to their ideological or financial interests.
Tags: foia, gatekeeper, misinformation, peer-review, Reproducibility, Science Education, Science records, Scientific secrecy
Posted on September 29th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Great, i just thought i’d post and tell you your sites layout is really misaligned on the K-Melon browser. Other than that keep up the Excellent work.
Posted on September 30th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Sorry, I’m not familiar with that browser or how to fix the problem. I hope the words come through OK even if the pictures don’t.
Posted on October 21st, 2010 at 2:57 am
You are professional.
Posted on November 1st, 2010 at 7:06 am
I don’t usually reply to posts but I will in this case, great info…I will bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!