The "Framing Science" Controversy

Matthew C. Nisbet and Chris Mooney wrote an article in the journal Science (vol 316 page 56 2007) arguing that many scientists communicate using what Nisbet and Mooney believe is the false pretense that if the average person really understands science, he or she will make the scientifically correct decision. Nisbet and Mooney argue that there is plenty of evidence that this isn't the case, and that people go out of their way to look for evidence that supports their existing view, rather than have their view modified by the available evidence. If you accept their premise, they go on to argue, then scientists must give much more thought to how they present their arguments so that they lead the member of the general public down the road to the 'right' conclusion. They call this approach "framing" and differentiate it from public relations and marketing.

This (plus other articles by Nisbet and other co-authors) article has set off a small storm of controversy about bias and objectivity, and whether scientists should–or must–'spin' data for public consumption.