Junk science
Junk science is spurious or fraudulent scientific data, research, or analysis. The concept is often invoked in political and legal contexts where facts and scientific results have a great amount of weight in making a determination. It usually conveys a pejorative connotation that the research has been untowardly driven by political, ideological, financial, or otherwise unscientific motives.
"Sound science" redirects here. For the branch of physics, see Acoustics.
The concept was popularized in the 1990s in relation to expert testimony in civil litigation. More recently, invoking the concept has been a tactic to criticize research on the harmful environmental or public health effects of corporate activities, and occasionally in response to such criticism. Author Dan Agin in his book Junk Science harshly criticized those who deny the basic premise of global warming,[1]
In some contexts, junk science is counterposed to the "sound science" or "solid science" that favors one's own point of view.[2] Junk science has been criticized for undermining public trust in real science.[3]: 110–111 Junk science is not the same as pseudoscience.[4][5]
Junk science has been defined as:
Motivations[edit]
Junk science happens for different reasons: researchers believing that their ideas are correct before proper analysis (a sort of scientific self-delusion or drinking the Kool-Aid), researchers biased with their study designs, and/or a "plain old lack of ethics".[6] Being overly attached to one's own ideas can cause research to veer from ordinary junk science (e.g., designing an experiment that is expected to produce the desired results) into scientific fraud (e.g., lying about the results) and pseudoscience (e.g., claiming that the unfavorable results actually proved the idea correct).[6]
Junk science can occur when the perpetrator has something to gain from arriving at the desired conclusion. It can often happen in the testimony of expert witnesses in legal proceedings, and especially in the self-serving advertising of products and services.[7] These situations may encourage researchers to make sweeping or overstated claims based on limited evidence.[7]
Notable cases[edit]
American psychologist Paul Cameron has been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as an anti-gay extremist and a purveyor of "junk science".[26] Cameron's research has been heavily criticized for unscientific methods and distortions which attempt to link homosexuality with pedophilia.[27] In one instance, Cameron claimed that lesbians are 300 times more likely to get into car accidents.[28] The SPLC states his work has been continually cited in some sections of the media despite being discredited.[28] Cameron was expelled from the American Psychological Association in 1983.
Combatting junk science[edit]
In 1995, the Union of Concerned Scientists launched the Sound Science Initiative, a national network of scientists committed to debunking junk science through media outreach, lobbying, and developing joint strategies to participate in town meetings or public hearings.[29] In its newsletter on Science and Technology in Congress, the American Association for the Advancement of Science also recognized the need for increased understanding between scientists and lawmakers: "Although most individuals would agree that sound science is preferable to junk science, fewer recognize what makes a scientific study 'good' or 'bad'."[30] The American Dietetic Association, criticizing marketing claims made for food products, has created a list of "Ten Red Flags of Junk Science".