Scientific misconduct as social misconduct

Abstract

: This paper describes processes of disqualification in an environmental dispute, and the impact they [can] have. Scientists, benefiting from an aura of neutrality and reason, publicly express their negative personal opinions as relevant constructed knowledge. This has an impact on the public’s level of trust in the scientific inquiry, and can destroy the possibility of doing field work. This is especially the case when the problem under study (here, pollution issues) has strong links with scientific activity, and can generate serious delays in a political process. The disqualification of others being often observed in academics, an institution should be designed to solve such issues with civility.