modern+research

The frontiers of science are always advancing. Sometimes this occurs rapidly, with a novel (new) discovery or breakthrough in technology, but most of the time, it occurs at a slow creep. Nonetheless, any time the frontier is pushed a bit further, there is always the question of whether a new discovery is legitimate.

To question anything based on scientific principles is called //skepticism//. This is a healthy way of keeping science as accurate and factual as possible. When Galileo proposed that Earth revolved around the Sun in the 1600's, most people did not believe him (including fellow astronomers!). Skeptical astronomers referred to scientific questions that had yet to be answered about heliocentrism, and this was healthy skepticism.

Unfortunately, unhealthy skepticism (now called denialism) exists as well; in this case, by the Roman Inquisition, who placed Galileo under house arrest for the remainder of his life for heresy. When a scientific theory is discredited by fiction, unsupported claims, or other methods, it is experiencing a form of denialism. To be clear, science is designed to be robust, and there is no place for denialism. A famous quote on this subject goes as follows:


 * "You are entitled to your own opinion; you are NOT entitled to your own facts."**

In other words, unless your facts are scientifically sound (and lead to healthy skepticism), you have no influence on the science. Today, the science of anthropogenic global warming and climate change is experiencing a modern form of inquisition and denialism, as well as healthy skepticism.


 * __The Self-Correcting Scientific Method: Peer Review__**

Today, modern research done by scientists must undergo heavy scrutiny (skepticism in action). The scientific method for the research must be sound. The entire experiment must be shared, discussed, picked apart, and analyzed by others who are in similar fields of study (called peers). This process is called //peer review//. Only if the method and results pass this test, will the research be deemed scientifically sound. If and when the science is confirmed many times over will it then be considered //robust// and enter the realm of accepted theory.

Recall, however, that theories may still fail, and are not ever perfected. But if there is ample evidence, the theory is robust; the nature of science will continue to push the frontiers of all theories.