PM602 - Group Work by Zach Gao https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa Group members: Andrew, Gummy, Guanxun, Zach en-us 2023-03-29 20:58:42 UTC 2025-12-18 19:18:15 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f393.png Disinterestedness zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537348446 one of Merton’s norms for good science]]> 2023-03-29 21:38:48 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537348446 Interestedness zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537348939 the counter-norm of Disinterestedness proposed by Mitroff]]> 2023-03-29 21:39:36 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537348939 Q1: What the norm Disinterestedness involves? How it expects the scientific community to behave? Contrast this to Mitroff's counternorm Interestedness. zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537365509 2023-03-29 22:03:55 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537365509 Disinterestedness zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537367106 It suggests that scientists are interested in knowledge for its own sake. Fraud is virtually absent in science, as discoveries are reviewed in journals and books and are open to strict scrutiny. The scientist’s reward is recognition, not financial gain. The scientist should be prepared to reject his or her own ideas when appropriate.]]> 2023-03-29 22:06:31 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537367106 Interestedness zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537368515 It suggests that the researcher or the research group to which he or she belongs may have a particular interest. Promotion may depend on ‘ownership’ of the research and publications of it. Production of ‘facts’ is likely to concentrate on the desired outcome.]]> 2023-03-29 22:09:01 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537368515 Q2: To what extent the norm Disinterestedness reflects the reality of science as it is practised today? Give examples from the reality. zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537371624 2023-03-29 22:13:51 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537371624 Q3: To what extent you think the norm is an ideal that scientists should strive for and why. zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537372599 2023-03-29 22:14:58 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537372599 zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537400982 The norm of Disinterestedness, which emphasizes pursuing knowledge for its own sake without being influenced by personal interests or biases, is an essential component of scientific research.
The extent to which the norm of Disinterestedness reflects the reality of science as it is practiced today is a topic of debate. Some argue that there are many examples of scientists who adhere to this norm, while others point out instances where scientists have been influenced by personal interests or external pressures. Here are a few examples from reality:

  1. Funding sources: Many scientific research projects are funded by government agencies, private foundations, or corporations. While this funding can be essential for advancing scientific knowledge, it can also create conflicts of interest if the researchers feel pressured to produce results that align with the interests of the funding source. For example, a study funded by a pharmaceutical company may be more likely to find positive results for that company's drug. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/13/493739074/50-years-ago-sugar-industry-quietly-paid-scientists-to-point-blame-at-fat
  2. Career advancement: Scientists may be under pressure to publish research in prestigious journals or to secure funding for future projects. This pressure can incentivize researchers to prioritize their own career advancement over the pursuit of knowledge. For example, a researcher may be more likely to focus on a trendy research topic or a flashy result, rather than tackling a less exciting but more important scientific question.
  3. Political pressure: In some cases, political interests may influence the direction of scientific research. For example, government agencies may direct research towards certain topics or may suppress research that is politically unpopular. This can create a situation where researchers feel pressure to produce results that align with political agendas, rather than pursuing knowledge for its own sake.

Despite these challenges, many scientists continue to uphold the norm of Disinterestedness in their work. For example, researchers who speak out against scientific misconduct or who prioritize ethical considerations in their research are demonstrating their commitment to the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. While it may not always be easy to maintain Disinterestedness in practice, it remains an important ideal that scientists should strive for.
]]> 2023-03-29 22:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537400982 zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537415117 The norm of Disinterestedness is an ideal that scientists should strive for because it promotes objectivity, transparency, and reliability in scientific research. Here are some reasons why this norm is important:

  1. Objectivity: Disinterestedness promotes objectivity by encouraging scientists to pursue knowledge without being influenced by personal interests or biases. This helps ensure that research results are based on sound evidence and not on the researcher's personal agenda or beliefs.
  2. Transparency: Disinterestedness also promotes transparency by encouraging scientists to disclose any conflicts of interest that may be present in their research. This allows others to evaluate the research findings and judge for themselves whether the results are reliable and trustworthy.
  3. Reliability: When scientists prioritize the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, they are more likely to conduct rigorous and well-designed studies that are more likely to produce reliable results. By minimizing the influence of personal interests and biases, scientists can help ensure that their research is trustworthy and can be used to inform decisions in a wide range of fields.

While achieving complete disinterestedness may not always be possible or practical, striving for this ideal is essential for maintaining public trust in scientific research. By prioritizing the pursuit of knowledge over personal gain, scientists can ensure that their research has real-world impact and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in their field. Ultimately, Disinterestedness is an important norm that scientists should strive for because it promotes the highest standards of scientific rigor, ethics, and accountability.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995462/
]]> 2023-03-29 23:17:24 UTC https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537415117 References zachgaozach https://padlet.com/zachgaozach/71mdzdyqvi53y6xa/wish/2537420724 https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/13/493739074/50-years-ago-sugar-industry-quietly-paid-scientists-to-point-blame-at-fat
 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995462/

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