Experimental and Epidemic Risks
Matters of Science and Judgement
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12416682 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sheila M Bird (0000-0001-6378-8382, MRC Biostatistics Unit, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue | S1 |
| Pages | S40-S50 |
| Publication date | 2013-07-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | European Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1062-7987 • E-ISSN: 1474-0575 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s1062798713000045 |
| OpenAlex | W2079859346 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 11 |
I wish to caution against undue weight being given to received wisdom and false assumptions of ‘expertise’, particularly in the context of new epidemics. I argue that, in some cases, reliance on received wisdom can lead to poor decision-making in public health terms, whether we are talking about Mad Cow Disease, the likelihood of a novel strain of influenza causing many fatalities, or the best way to reduce overdose deaths soon after release from prison. I shall also stress the importance of well-designed data-acquisition which is, or should be, the forte of statistician-scientists
Actuarial science · Context (archaeology · Criminology · Economics · Epistemology · Judgement · Political science · Positive economics · Prison · Public health · Scientific evidence · Statistician · Health and Conflict Studies · Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life · Healthcare cost, quality, practices · History · Law · Medicine · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology
| Highly cited | No |
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