Censoring science in research officially

The way in which humans understand the world is highly value laden. Yet, the values entailed in research are often hidden, even though the way in which projects are funded, the type of work favoured and the framing of that work all make self-evident a set of values. The hope of many researchers holding to truth-seeking science is that by focusing on a specific research agenda and avoiding overt public policy statements their work can be conducted in a way which is separated from the messy world of politics and value judgments. Yet as humans these same people hold values and make judgments on a daily basis, including their judgments over what is "good science", "quality research" and "valid argument". Determining relevance, validity and quality is a value laden process open to dispute. Naively assuming the public should trust in "science", whether natural or social, is to ignore what our experience of environmental problems and understanding of environmental values have taught. Science is a contested contributor of societal information which may help or harm in unforeseen ways.