Are many science results biased to what the researchers wants to see?

Question

Are many science results biased to what the researchers wants to see?

Answer 1

biased to what the government wants to tell the general public

Answer 2

oh yes

Answer 3

The operant words in your question are "science" and "results."

You may be suggesting that the "scientific method" provides results. However, in truth it provides data that only becomes of value with interpretation. What is important however, is that the scientific method  requires examination of all factors with no predisposition as to what the data will be.

From an opposing view "results" that satisfy researchers do not require examination of all factors nor do they require avoidance of predisposition. What is more, the interpretation of such data is often less disciplined or follow a methodology which is unlike the desired purity of scientific effort.

In simple terms - scientists can be incorrect; but researchers can lie.

Answer 4

Depends on what type of study it was. A double-blind study would not have much bias.

Answer 5

Yes and no.  Bias certainly affects research, but we scientists are trained to work hard to disprove our hypothesis and only believe it if we can't disprove it.  I do see people who don't work that way, but between the way we're trained and peer review, published research is pretty reliable - and if it isn't, it's quickly discovered, as other scientists try to reproduce the data and can't.

Answer 6

Yes they are.

Answer 7

Well, yeah, in some ways. Scientific predictions/hypothesis are based on what they think will happen and try to prove it.

Answer 8

Oh god yes. You'll rarely see straight up, unbiased facts when you look at results.

Answer 9

Generally, no.  Scientists make a point of trying to be unbiased, and to justify their conclusions with reason and evidence.

And if bias does creep in, that's why there are other scientists to look over the conclusions, to try and spot the flaws.

Andif the flaws still arne't spotted, then eventually, someone will test the biased conclusions, find that they aren't borne out by reality, and the bias will be discovered then.

Answer 10

on the quantum level yes.

Answer 11

Of course... it's a shame, too.

Answer 12

Of course!  The drug company paying for the study wants it to show benefits of their chemical, not drawbacks.  Will your 'study' on global warming produce a result that leads to your future funding or employment?  Will radical environmentalists pay you to report on an ecosystem that's doing just fine?  In practice, 'science' isn't necessary a search for knowledge or understanding.