Nice explination of the importance of Peer Reviewed science by NOAA

[Quixote1818]

Peer-Review: Why does it matter?

One of the basic foundations of modern science, whether it be medicine, physics or climatology, is "peer review." Peer review means new scientific discoveries, ideas, and implications are not accepted or considered valid until they have been scrutinized, critiqued, and favorably reviewed by other scientists who are experts in the same area or scientific field.

The peer-review process commonly takes place as a prerequisite to the publication of a scientific paper. When scientists wish to publish papers on their scientific discoveries, the journal to which the paper is submitted usually will ask two or more other scientists in the same or a similar field (i.e., scientific peers) to review the paper.These reviewers will rigorously evaluate the work to make sure that the results are well supported by the data. If the paper passes the review and is accepted for publication, we can assume that the science is well-founded and valid. Sometimes the paper does not pass the review and is not published, but more often, the reviewers ask questions that the authors of the manuscript have to address satisfactorily before their paper is published.

Not all published scientific work is peer-reviewed. When a scientist or informed non-scientist wishes to evaluate new or controversial scientific papers, one of the first things they usually ask is if the paper was published in a journal that requires critical peer-reviews. Journals such as "Science" and "Nature" are among the most highly regarded journals in terms of the peer-review process. Articles and opinions published in newspapers or popular-press magazines (for example, "Time" and "Newsweek") are not peer-reviewed, and thus must be considered with caution if they are not based on a peer-reviewed scientific papers. Moreover, some "scientific" books and journals do not involve rigorous peer-reviews, readers must be careful not to put much scientific faith in what is presented in these books or journals.

The peer-review process sets a scientific standard; we know that peer-reviewed scientific work has been subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation by experts in the appropriate field and has been judged valid. All of the scientific journal results reported in this www site, "A Paleo Perspective on Global Warming," have undergone this level of scientific peer-review.

Back to... "Paleo Data of the Last 2000 Years"


Link: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/globalwarming/peerreview.html

[whistle]

1. So what has BushCo done since taking the White House in Jan 2001?

....From the Union of Concerned Scientists:

<snip>
evidence of political interference
The A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In recent years, scientists who work for and advise the federal government have seen their work manipulated, suppressed, distorted, while agencies have systematically limited public and policy maker access to critical scientific information. To document this abuse, the Union of Concerned Scientists has created the A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science.

H is for HIV/AIDS education

From air pollution to Ground Zero, the A to Z Guide showcases dozens of examples of the misuse of science on issues like childhood lead poisoning, toxic mercury contamination, and endangered species.

View alphabetical list
View by issue area
View timeline
View by agency/department
10,000 Scientists Speak Out
As the list of examples of political interference in science has grown, so has concern from diverse groups of Americans, from ordinary citizens to members of Congress to the nation’s leading newspapers. Particular concern comes from the scientific community, as scientists know first hand that a healthy respect for independent science has been the foundation of American prosperity and contributed greatly to our quality of life.

In 2004, 62 renowned scientists and science advisors signed a scientist statement on scientific integrity, denouncing political interference in science and calling for reform. On December 9, 2006, UCS released the names of more than 10,000 scientists of all backgrounds from all 50 states—including 52 Nobel Laureates—who have since joined their colleagues on this statement.

If you are a scientist, you can add your voice to the statement right now. And all citizens can take action on a critical scientific integrity challenging us today: the EPA’s decision to hastily close its unique network of scientific libraries. Call today and tell the EPA to stop destroying documents, selling off library equipment, and limiting access to its critical scientific collection.

The United States government bears great responsibility for keeping our environment clean and Americans healthy and safe. And while science is rarely the only factor in public policy decisions, this input should be objective and impartial.

<more>
http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/interference/a-to-z-guide-to-political.html

<also see>
http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/10600-scientists-condemn.html

http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/interference/a-to-z-guide-timeline.html

[Quixote1818]

2. Here is a video about Bush on Global Warming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKJ2fu_Gluo

[kestrel91316]

3. This should be required reading for every DUer before they go

making outlandish claims for various crackpot ideas far outside the mainstream.

Thank you for a breath of needed fresh air.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. huh?

:shrug:

[kestrel91316]

5. Reference to other threads, where true science is not respected.

Nevermind.

If you weren't there for it, you wouldn't get it.