The First Step to Being a Science Detective: Find the Facts

Science writers can only do so much to validate facts. There are some that write the truth and others that write pure fabrications. Laws to regulate the inconsistency need to be mandated.  However, even these laws will not be foolproof. Science can be manipulated just as much as the statistics and facts that come from science. Since science writers are not always trustworthy, science readers must become detectives.

As Mark Twain said, “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” A person will believe in whatever they fancy. While their opinion may be wrong, facts can be manipulated to fit and prove/disprove any idea as needed. Often, science writers manipulate their facts in order to prove their opinion. Until laws are passed, science readers must find the facts within the article and research more than one article on the topic in addition to the scientific studies.

The facts in different science articles usually contain different truths. Statistics used must come from scientific studies, but the chosen statistics may only represent one point. In addition, some studies are more valid than others. The best advice for a science reader is to look at where the facts originated and attempt to understand the science behind the article. Even if one does not understand the science, one may begin to see and begin comprehending the truth.

Readers must be cautious of straight opinionated ‘science writing’ since there is not much regulation on science writing and so called ‘science’ is everywhere.  “Every man at the bottom of his heart believes that he is a born detective,” said John Buchan. Readers want to be detectives and form personal opinions. If science writers were to present true facts, the detectives could continue to find facts from science writing thereby creating another level of fact finding. The human mind is designed to be curious. If readers listened to their minds, they would find the truth and not be misinformed by certain science writers.

The First Step to Informing Your Audience: Speak the Truth

Fairness and balance are two objectives that many want from their media. Not only does one get both sides of the story, but equal amounts of both sides. But is it really fair to be balanced? In science, the research gives one explanation, not ‘ifs.’ Earlier, I noted that science is not always right, so shouldn’t that point to describing both sides of the story? What is a science writer to do?

As Ricky Williams said, “To talk about balance, it’s easier to talk about what’s out of balance. And I think anytime that you have any disease, and disease meaning lack of ease, lack of flow… dis-ease. So any time there’s disease, you’re out of balance, whether it’s jealousy, anger, greed, anxiety, fear.” Some media outlets have goals as to what to show their audience. Certain news shows may be conservative while others are liberal. Depending on the source, other ‘baggage’ may affect what a news source may present to their audience. As Williams said, there are so many aspects to take, in this case, the news out of balance. But what is really fair?

From the words of Michael Pollan, “Fairness forces you – even when you’re writing a piece of highly critical of, say, genetically modified food, as I have done – to make sure you represent the other side as extensively and as accurately as you possibly can.” So, a journalist wants to represent both sides, but should a science writer?

I do not know.

I am in my first six months of being a science writer and certainly do not have many answers. According to a recent study, Fox News viewers know less about particular issues than those who do not watch the news. The motto of Fox News is ‘fair and balanced.’ Is this statement misleading the audience or does Fox News have an agenda to convey the news?

When I write science articles, I offer both sides of the story that come from science. I only report scientific reports, not advocate claims. I trust that my balance continues to be fair to science and that my readers are never misled.