Scientific controversy

A scientific controversy is a substantial disagreement among scientists. A scientific controversy may involve issues such as the interpretation of data, which ideas are most supported by evidence, and which ideas are most worth pursuing. For example, the connection between race and intelligence has been a subject of debate in both popular science and academic research since the inception of IQ testing in the early 20th century.

When compared to controversies, scientific controversies are specific to scientific related arguments, whereas regular controversies entail a much larger range. More specifically, a scientific controversy may involve issues such as the interpretation of data, which ideas are most supported by evidence, and which ideas are most worth pursuing. A scientific controversy is an argument where they cannot agree on a method, theory, or hypothesis. It influences how we interpret the data to make a conclusion that best fits the data and/or evidence. Scientific controversies are healthy and can be helpful in getting scientists to think of the best ways to do things as well as different ways to approach topics. In addition, they can also help science move forward. Scientific controversies usually create media attention which allows for more people to become aware of the situation and topic being disagreed. This can create an increase in research on the topic. Although, if there are conflicts between scientific views and non-scientific views, this can hurt scientific research.[1]

There are many types of controversies. The main type being fundamental and secondary scientific controversies. Fundamental scientific controversies are controversies that are based on the main idea of hypotheses or theories. Meaning the central idea of a topic and not the ideas that surround it which would be secondary scientific controversies. For example, there is skepticism in the general population if there is global warming but in contrast, the majority of the scientific community agree there is global warming. This is a fundamental scientific controversy because it is the main idea. The real issue, the secondary scientific controversy, is how fast is it occurring and how to model it which is what is being researched and debated. It is important to distinguish between these two so that the real scientific issue does not get missed.[1]

Controversies between scientific and non-scientific ideas are not within the realm of science and are not true scientific controversies.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 What controversy: Is a controversy misrepresented or blown out of proportion?
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