Naked Science Forum

General Discussion & Feedback => Radio Show & Podcast Feedback => Topic started by: Eric A. Taylor on 06/11/2010 08:37:03

Title: Less biased answers?
Post by: Eric A. Taylor on 06/11/2010 08:37:03

I have to question the answer to the QOTW about which is worse, airplanes or volcano considering the source. Treehugger.com is strongly anti-human and thus less trustworthy on environmental questions. Before you scream that I'm being unfair I would be just as skeptical had the question been answered by an airline, unless they agreed with treehugger.com


[MOD EDIT: To clarify, the above post refers to this Question of the Week: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=34697.0]

Title: Re: Less biased answers?
Post by: chris on 06/11/2010 09:19:37

Thanks for raising a good point, Eric.

However, I am going to disagree with you for two reasons:

1) The source of information was made explicit, thus enabling independent assessment and verification of the answer supplied.

2) The data contained in the answer is in agreement with other independent analyses. This suggests it fits in with the crowd, rather than being an unreliable outlier. (See http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=34697.msg329165#msg329165).

However, you're right, Eric, that the source of a piece of information could bias the integrity of the answer, which is why it is our general policy to supply, wherever possible, the supporting references alongside data we present.

But thank you, for raising a good talking point.

Chris