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Misuse of science in governmental decision making

Journal Article · · Sci., Technol., Hum. Values; (United States)
OSTI ID:6368505
Two case studies, one on formaldehyde and one on the Osceola National Forest, illustrate the misuse of technical information for political purposes. The formaldehyde case study illustrates the technique of structuring the process, in which reporting is structured to produce a desired result and studies are requested from those expected to favor the preferred position. The result is that decision makers listen to only one side of a controversy. The Osceola Forest case illustrates the simple distortion of information. The author describes these processes, then proposes that government decisions based on technical information should be as open and public as possible. Peer review, agency review, Congressional oversight, the commitment of agency personnel to good information regardless of policy views, and protection for agency personnel who discover potential abuse can make it difficult to manipulate information. 64 references.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
OSTI ID:
6368505
Journal Information:
Sci., Technol., Hum. Values; (United States), Journal Name: Sci., Technol., Hum. Values; (United States) Vol. 9:48; ISSN STHVD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290500 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
ALDEHYDES
DECISION MAKING
FORESTS
FORMALDEHYDE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INFORMATION
INFORMATION NEEDS
INFORMATION VALIDATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PUBLIC INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
TESTING
VALIDATION