Scientific standards are established benchmarks in research and experimentation that ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and integrity in scientific work. They provide a framework for assessing the quality of research and are crucial for validating scientific findings and fostering trust in scientific communication.
Public policy refers to the system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities set by a government or its representatives. It shapes societal outcomes by addressing public issues through strategic planning and implementation, often reflecting the values and priorities of the governing body.
Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that examines how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these, in turn, affect society, politics, and culture. It challenges the notion of science and technology as purely objective, highlighting their embeddedness in human contexts and power relations.
Cultural influences on science shape the questions that scientists consider important and significantly impact how scientific knowledge is interpreted and utilized. These influences evolve over time, reflecting the values, priorities, and social structures of different societies, which can both drive scientific innovation and introduce biases.
Value-laden science is the idea that scientific research and outcomes are inherently influenced by the values and biases of the scientists conducting the studies. This challenges the traditional view of science as entirely objective, highlighting the need for critical examination of whose perspectives and interests are being represented in scientific work.