Scientific objectivity

{{Philosophyscience}}
'''Scientific objectivity''' is an ideal goal that [[scientist]]s strive to achieve. Unfortunately, because science is a human enterprise, complete objectivity can never be attained. However, the [[scientific method]] is designed to safeguard against [[bias]] as much as is possible.

==Truth to nature and the origins of scientific objectivity==
The modern concept of scientific objectivity didn't come into existence until the 19<sup>th</sup> century. The concept of "truth to nature," employed in early scientific atlases, was the forerunner of scientific objectivity. The idea behind truth to nature was to present an idealized version of the object under investigation, which was often done using composite drawings. A large interpretive (i.e., subjective) element was thus inherent in this process. During the mid-19<sup>th</sup> century, realistic depictions came to be valued over idealized ones and objectivity came to be seen as a [[moral]] virtue, giving a new meaning to truth to nature. Individual objects were depicted in atlases instead of composite drawings. The invention of photography during this period allowed for easier standardization of pictures in the atlases. Interpretation and value judgments were de-emphasized as the modern concept of scientific objectivity emerged.<ref>Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison. [http://www.nyu.edu/classes/bkg/methods/daston.pdf The Image of Objectivity.] ''Representations'', vol. 0, no. 40 (special issue), 1992, pp. 81-128</ref>

==Sources of bias==
*[[Experimenter bias]]. Everyone (yes, even those scientific paragons of [[rationality]]) is subject to [[cognitive bias]]es.
*[[Publication bias]]. The "publish or perish" system has been implicated in biasing research toward positive results.<ref>Daniele Fanelli. [http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0010271 Do Pressures to Publish Increase Scientists' Bias? An Empirical Support from US States Data.] PLoS ONE 5(4): e10271.</ref>
*[[Politicization of science]]. He who holds the purse strings and all that. [[Eugenics]] and [[Lysenkoism]] are notorious examples.
*[[Modern scientific frauds|Fraud]]. Pretty simple. Don't have the data? [[PIDOOMA|Fabricate it]]!

==Methods of limiting bias==
There are a number of methods used to limit bias in the course of carrying out an [[experiment]] or scientific investigation. What these methods are will vary by discipline, but there are some common ways this is accomplished.
*Choosing a [[falsifiable]] [[hypothesis]].
*The use of a [[experimental control|control group]].
*The use of [[double blind|double-blinding]] and [[randomized controlled trial|randomization]], especially in medical trials.
*Submitting research to [[peer review]].
*[[Release the data|Making data available]].
*[[Reproducibility|Replicating previous results]].

==Challenges to the concept of objective and value-free science==
*[[Thomas Kuhn]]'s concept of [[paradigm shift]]s.
*[[Marxist]] critiques of "[[capitalist]] science," especially by the radical science movement of the 1960s-70s.<ref>Gary Werskey. [http://human-nature.com/science-as-culture/werskey.html The Marxist Critique of Capitalist Science: A History in Three Movements?] ''Science as Culture''</ref>
*Helen Longino's argument that values will tend to affect the choice of a [[theory]] when it is underdetermined by data.<ref>Helen Longino. [http://lists.cas.usf.edu/pipermail/usf-ant/attachments/20101202/f99b71d5/attachment.pdf Beyond "Bad Science": Skeptical Reflections on the Value-Freedom of Scientific Inquiry.] ''Science, Technology, & Human Values'', Vol. 8, No. 1 (Winter, 1983), pp. 7-17</ref>
*The degree to which perception and observation is theory-laden as demonstrated by [[cognitive science]].<ref>William F. Brewer and Bruce L. Lambert. [http://tigger.uic.edu/~lambertb/con_pres/Theory_Laden.pdf The Theory-Ladenness of Observation and the Theory-Ladenness of the Rest of the Scientific Process.] ''Philosophy of Science'' Vol. 68, No. 3, 2001, pp. S176-S186</ref>
*[[Postmodernism]]

==See also==
*[[Science was wrong before]]

==External links==
*[http://scienceblogs.com/worldsfair/2008/01/03/scientific-objectivity-has-a-h/ Scientific Objectivity Has a History], World's Fair
*[http://www1.umn.edu/ships/ethics/values.htm Values in Science], Douglas Allchin, University of Minnesota

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Science]]
[[category:Philosophy of science]]
[[Category:Social justice]]

Categories: Science, Philosophy of science, Social justice