From time to time examples of scientific fraud come to light and raise questions about the integrity of scientific endeavour. The most well-known example of recent years must surely be South Korean stem cell biologist Hwang Woo-Suk, whose ground-breaking discoveries in the field of therapeutic cloning were exposed as bogus (In addition to his science [...]
Making the best of “Bad Science” (Review)
If you have not yet read Ben Goldacre’s book Bad Science, then I thoroughly recommend that you do. As readers of his regular Guardian column or his website will already know, Goldacre has embarked on a campaign to root out example of pseudoscience and shoddy science whereever they may be found.
All the usual villians are [...]
Promoting the ethical conduct of science
Back in 2004, Sir David King (at the time, the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser) initiated a discussion about generating a Code of Conduct for Scientists. The consultation process led, in 2006, to the publication of Rigour, respect and responsibility: a universal ethical code for scientists. None of the contents was particularly surprising or radical but [...]
Learning and Teaching in the Sciences (conference report, part 1)
The annual Learning and Teaching in the Sciences event at the University of Leicester was held on May 23rd 2007. Three invited speakers brought very different insights into the effective communication of science. This entry focuses specifically on the first of the presentations. Other talks, by Melanie Cooper (Clemson University, USA) and Alan Cann (University [...]
