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#1
06-06-2008, 11:26 AM
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Research and Motivation
If a scientist shows bias, does that invalidate their research?
For example, I do not respect the work of Dr. Michael Persinger in the field of neurotheology because of his agenda to "disprove" supernatural claims. (FTR, I wouldn't respect it if he had an agenda of "proving' them, either.)
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Questions about my beliefs? Click here. We do not fear the night, who have loved the stars so fondly. 
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#2
06-06-2008, 11:30 AM
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There was a huge debate on this topic on the forum I visited before coming to RF, that centred around the idea that a scientist's personal bias can influence the conclusions, and hence the paper they submit about it. Is that like what you mean?
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It's less of a world take over and more of a world make over. - Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel Brad Chat
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#3
06-06-2008, 11:31 AM
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Exactly. Apologies for my trouble articulating.
__________________
Questions about my beliefs? Click here. We do not fear the night, who have loved the stars so fondly.
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#4
06-06-2008, 11:34 AM
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The arguments polarized into the ideas that the scientific method, properly followed, will produce accurate results regardless of the scientist, provided he follows it; and, on the other hand, that regardless of the scientific method, the scientist will be compelled to see what he wants to see in the data produced.
Edit: I don't really have an opinion, though.
__________________
It's less of a world take over and more of a world make over. - Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel Brad Chat
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#5
06-06-2008, 11:39 AM
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friends,
Same thing as Understanding. We understand, what we want to; similarly we study whatwe want to. And we always want to *waht we perceive8; so we like to prove the same to others . Alkways an open mind is required to perceive and understand things as they are. If only an window of the mind is kept open not under an open sky then surely results will be skewed. Love & rgds
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#6
06-06-2008, 01:48 PM
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If it's a strong bias, it could affect things, and I would take that kind of conclusion with a grain of salt. To Patty's (or someone else's) point, the scientific method should get rid of most of the bias, but his bias could lead him to leave out certain integral parts in an experiment, thereby leading to the conclusion he wanted.
__________________
Contrary to what most people say, the most dangerous animal in the world is not the lion or the tiger or even the elephant. It's a shark riding on an elephant's back, just trampling and eating everything they see.
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#7
06-06-2008, 02:06 PM
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SO what's your stance, love?
__________________
Questions about my beliefs? Click here. We do not fear the night, who have loved the stars so fondly.
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#8
06-06-2008, 02:14 PM
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Quote:
 I wouldn't say it invalidates their research, although it could in some instances. Would you say that questioning their results automatically invalidates them?
__________________
Contrary to what most people say, the most dangerous animal in the world is not the lion or the tiger or even the elephant. It's a shark riding on an elephant's back, just trampling and eating everything they see.
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#9
06-06-2008, 02:17 PM
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"Invalidates" is pushing it. Maybe in extreme cases like Persinger. I definitely look askance at such work.
__________________
Questions about my beliefs? Click here. We do not fear the night, who have loved the stars so fondly.
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#10
06-06-2008, 02:20 PM
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