Do scientist not approach thier work with a completely open mind, totally free of preconceived ideas?

Question

or are they all bias?

Answer 1

Biases are developed after a "scientist" or would-be scientist has an idea about something that comes from his or her totally free and open mind.  Then, what you call biases are new understandings, right or wrong, that they develop over the steps of their research process.  You may not know of their research and therefore "less biased frames of mind" previous to when you begin reading, but that does not mean that the "open and totally free mind" isn't what began that research, which has now lead them to the point where  you begin reading.  God Bless you.

Answer 2

That's not completely possible - we're all human.  That's where peer-review comes into play - not everyone has the same biases, experiences, preconceptions, and they can find the flaws in your work you failed to see, if there are any.  That's why good science is always peer-reviewed.

Answer 3

Ideally they approach there work without bias.  But they are human and to varying degrees their prejudices can influence their work.

Answer 4

Most scientists hold biases towards what they are researching...it is simply human nature. The important thing is for a scientist to acknowledge that these biases exist and do everything they can to void them from interfering in the giving research. It is hidden biases that cause problems in the scientific world.

Answer 5

Everyone has preconceived ideas.  Just being educated will bias you.  If you had NO preconceived ideas, you wouldn't even be able to start to do any science.  How would you know what type of data to take or look for if you didn't know anything about a particular problem?

What you need to do is to use the data as the "ground truth," i.e., the reality.  If it doesn't fit your model, then the either you took the data incorrectly, or your model is wrong.

Answer 6

I would like to know why you think that scientists should be free of all preconceived ideas. They are humans to begin with. Secondly ever tried finding the end of an unknown dark room. The least you would do is start with a "preconceived idea" that if you walk in a straight line you would bump into the opposite wall. A scientist takes calculated guesses to find answers. they investigate till they have exhausted the possibility of their idea being correct. Then they start on a new guess.

How do you start with a "completely open mind" when the you assume the ground under your feet and sky above your head. How do you become "totally free of preconceived ideas" without rejecting you won't drop dead the next minute. Further how do you say bias is bad when even free thought is biased towards rational inquiry.

Not trying to be rude but please talk about science and not scientists or say what you want to say rather than asking twisted questions. I saw your other question too. I get a feel you belong to faith and spiritualism section.