Is Research Objective? 

By Naomi Amos, Randolph-Macon Woman's College

About 10 attendees, with a wonderful representation from history, philosophy, community pre-college, social scientists, chemists, and biology. The discussion, almost entirely interactive, centered on the agreed non-objectivity of research; the need to acknowledge our personal perspective; the importance of integrity; the strength of the
"method/process" to make research work.

We need to teach our students that science is not "the truth." Some suggested that it is important to encourage skepticism in things we accept as truth. With non-majors, the group agreed that it is better not to talk in absolutes, but to allow students to see data that may be inconclusive so they understand that things may not always work.