Scientific decision making
After balancing the riskThe likelihood that a hazard will actually cause harm or damage. and benefitThe positive effect of a product or process., different decisions on actions may still be made.
To evaluate the possible actions fully, the available evidence should be used to state or describe the advantages and disadvantages of the consequenceThe things that follow on from an action. of each action. An informed decision can then be made, based on the evidence and arguments.
To justify a decision:
- outline the key consequences
- present an argument to show how the decision balances these to give, in your view, the best outcome
When making or evaluating, a decision always considers the following types of consequence.
| Type of consequence | Effects on: | How will the decision affect: |
| Personal | Individual people | People's job, their family, living conditions, individual health? |
| Social | Groups of people | Specific groups of people (young, old, commuters)? Employment, travel to work, provision of health care, living conditions, health? |
| Economic | Money | How much people are paid, businesses make, people need to spend? The cost of raw materials or products made? |
| Environmental | Land, water or air | Air quality, the atmosphere, water, land, climate? Man-made structures such as buildings? Specific habitats and their ecosystems. How will it affect reserves of finite resources? |
| Type of consequence | Personal |
|---|---|
| Effects on: | Individual people |
| How will the decision affect: | People's job, their family, living conditions, individual health? |
| Type of consequence | Social |
|---|---|
| Effects on: | Groups of people |
| How will the decision affect: | Specific groups of people (young, old, commuters)? Employment, travel to work, provision of health care, living conditions, health? |
| Type of consequence | Economic |
|---|---|
| Effects on: | Money |
| How will the decision affect: | How much people are paid, businesses make, people need to spend? The cost of raw materials or products made? |
| Type of consequence | Environmental |
|---|---|
| Effects on: | Land, water or air |
| How will the decision affect: | Air quality, the atmosphere, water, land, climate? Man-made structures such as buildings? Specific habitats and their ecosystems. How will it affect reserves of finite resources? |
Ethical considerations
There are some questions that science cannot answer.
ethicalRelating to right and wrong, eg ethical companies are often ones that act in a responsible way. decisions relate to whether an action and its consequences are right or wrong. This can relate to scientific research itself or the uses of the science. Science alone cannot provide an answer. The decision makers must consider the rights and wrongs of their choice.
Communicating ideas
The best way for scientists to make sure that everyone's views are taken into consideration is to communicate their work to a range of audiences, including the public, other scientists and politicians. This gives feedback on the risks, benefits, costs and ethical issues, allowing the scientist to make the best decision to benefit the largest group of people.