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Scientific Arguments (scientific + argument)
Selected AbstractsIntegration of post-graduate studies with corporately funded biotechnology programsBIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 2 2000Jennelle Kyd Post graduate research students need to undertake programs that will develop their potential as a scientist. They need to acquire skills to develop scientific argument, design an experimental approach to test a hypothesis, obtain and analyse data, and effectively communicate their ideas and findings to the scientific community. Many biotechnology-based programs are now funded by industry partnerships and integrating post graduate students into these programs require special considerations. [source] ADAPTIONISM,30 YEARS AFTER GOULD AND LEWONTINEVOLUTION, Issue 10 2009Rasmus Nielsen Gould and Lewontin's 30-year-old critique of adaptionism fundamentally changed the discourse of evolutionary biology. However, with the influx of new ideas and scientific traditions from genomics into evolutionary biology, the old adaptionist controversies are being recycled in a new context. The insight gained by evolutionary biologists, that functional differences cannot be equated to adaptive changes, has at times not been appreciated by the genomics community. In this comment, I argue that even in the presence of both functional data and evidence for selection from DNA sequence data, it is still difficult to construct strong arguments in favor of adaptation. However, despite the difficulties in establishing scientific arguments in favor of specific historic evolutionary events, there is still much to learn about evolution from genomic data. [source] Rethinking the interface between ecology and society.JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2008The case of the cockle controversy in the Dutch Wadden Sea Summary 1Applied ecology, like conservation research, may deal with societal issues if its scientifically based interventions have societal consequences. Human utilization plays a significant role in many ecosystems, so conservation ecologists often have to act on the interface between science and society, where controversies may arise. 2Using insights from science and technology studies, we have analysed the 15-year controversy on the ecological effects of cockle fishing in the Dutch Wadden Sea, which began around 1990 and involved nature protection and shellfish organizations, as well as several leading Dutch ecologists, in a heated debate. 3During this controversy, evaluative research on the ecological effects of cockle fishing was undertaken by a consortium of institutes in order to contribute to the process of political decision-making by the Dutch government on cockle fishery in this area. In addition to conservational and commercial interests, ecological research itself became part of the controversy. 4The research projects on the effects of cockle fishing during this controversy are examples of societally contextualized science, implying that interests and societal disputes are intertwined with scientific arguments. We have applied a dynamic model of contextualization in which societal stakes and scientific uncertainty are considered as the main factors determining the different contexts in which conservation research functions. 5Synthesis and applications. Conservation research, whether it is fundamental or managerially orientated, is related to greater societal aims and interests and might easily face more or less complex societally contextualized situations. Such situations imply extended responsibilities for scientists. Not only is there a need for sound science, but also for a sound way of interacting and communicating with the societal environment. Some elements of such a notion of extended accountability are presented. [source] Darwinism, behavioral genetics, and organizational behavior: a review and agenda for future researchJOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 2 2006Remus Ilies In this article, a case is made for the importance of evolutionary processes and behavioral genetics for organizational behavior. First, we present scientific arguments connecting evolutionary biology and psychology, Darwinian theories, behavioral genetics, and individual differences. Second, we provide a review of behavioral genetics research on constructs relevant to organizational behavior, such as cognitive ability, personality, work attitudes, and leadership. Third, we discuss mechanisms explaining genetic influences on organizational outcomes such as attitudes and leadership. Finally, current issues in behavioral genetics research in general and their implications for organizational behavior are discussed. We also discuss issues specific to conducting research on genetic effects influencing constructs from the organizational realm, and offer suggestions for future research. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||