Trusting Scientific Research: Who Funds Our Opinions? CLOSE READING PASSAGE

Types of bias in statistics Area bias Self-Selection bias Leading Question bias Social Desirability bias

How did you skew the results? How is that an example of bias? Your connection: Think about a time when you told your parents or a friend a biased “half-truth” Biased “half-truth” = you told the truth, but only told part of the story How did you skew the results? How is that an example of bias?

bias manipulate Vocabulary statistics fraud fabricating fuels detrimental Vocabulary 1 = heard the word before 2 = can use the word in a sentence 3 = can teach the word

Words in context: But, bias fueled by passion and economic interest happens in medical research all the time. Tobacco’s efforts mark some of the first concerted and funded campaigns against science in history. Their efforts demonstrate the power of manipulating public opinion. It’s not fraud or misconduct, it’s just spinning results in a positive way– something any human with a vested interest in an outcome tends to do. Even without fabricating results, funders have tools they can use to sway study results. Since money fuels science, science itself can be shackled by economic interests, and interests of any kind can lead to bias. Tobacco companies specialized in contending with the findings of detrimental studies.

Listen carefully as I read the article. 1st Read: Listen carefully as I read the article. Think about the following question: If someone presents information that is biased, does it mean the information is not true? When you find the answer, put a by it.

Reread the first section Reread (section 1): Reread the first section Underline or highlight any information that answers the following question: Where does the money come from to fund (or pay for) scientific research?

What are 5 ways that researches can skew results? Reread (section 2): Reread the second section entitled “How is scientific research funded? & Money Talks” Underline or highlight any information that answers the following question: What are 5 ways that researches can skew results?

After watching the video clip, how do you think funding bias can influence a doctor or scientists’ professional practice? http://lawstreetmedia.com/issues/health-science/story-science-funding/

Reread the third section entitled “Bias in Practice” Reread (section 3): Reread the third section entitled “Bias in Practice” Underline or highlight any information that answers the following question: How might funding bias influence a doctor or scientists professional practice?

Talking points: How does a profession that relies on and values facts allow information to be skewed?

Explain how the quote applies to scientific research. Summary question Explain how the quote, ”With that comes great power, but also great responsibility” and how it applies to scientific research. Explain how the quote applies to scientific research. Provide 3 pieces of evidence from the text to support your answer.

Performance task Read the following article about the FDA. Then compose a letter that includes the quote ”With great power, but also great responsibility” in the letter.