Publication bias misleads your doctor, and this effects his/her choice of prescriptions. It is a big problem in Medicine: (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publication_bias) In the liberal arts, it is an even bigger problem because evidence that does not support ideological bias is rarely published, and often suppressed. Studies done in the liberal arts are used by governments to make policy and write laws, by schools to determine which students get support and scholarships, and by nonprofit organizations to argue for funding... so they need to represent the truth as best as possible - but this is not happening. And while the sciences at least have empirical support most of the time, ideological models are often untestable and so get away with undue influence. For example, there is one theory which is taught in over 400 universities today as if it were fact. Almost everyone under 50 grew up being taught about it in school. However, the original data behind the theory was falsified and much of it withheld. Very little of the published data at the time supported the theory, and even today much of the literature reveals a completely different picture in many cases. (see theatlantic/magazine/archive/2000/05/the-war-against-boys/304659/2/) The fact is, the originator of this theory made a lot of money despite being thrown out of academics entirely for the shady practices that led to this widespread belief. And it has created ever-increasing inequities in educational opportunities for students today (https://youtube/watch?v=ZfG7r4Z70B0)
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 14:57:55 +0000
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