The connection between beliefs and methods is strong I feel as if few scientists would argue against that. Futhermore, these a priori assumptions guide scientists in choosing which variables to measure, which theories to test, which statistical methods to employ, and more. I believe many scientists have recognized the confirmation bias that exists in their specific field of research it is no secret that scientists’ pre-existing views about the field they study do guide their collection of data and interpretation of their results. The intent of The Mismeasure of Man was to demonstrate how these prejudiced and racist scientists’ pre-existing beliefs prevented them from conducting impartial studies and justly interpreting results, and I believe he did just that. I would like to start off by saying I give author Stephen Jay Gould major props for calling out the work of some of the most highly regarded, yet prejudiced and racist scientists, of our time, as so few have done before him.
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