ABSTRACT
Scientists have the potential to have tremendous influence on contemporary societies. Theory-based and empirically validated understanding of physical, social, and psychological processes can set the stage for practical interventions, improve quality of life, and help people manage profound challenges. Yet in order for scientists to have such impact, they must enjoy the public’s trust in the integrity and motives of scientists as well as in the methods of investigation and the competence to employ such methods by scientists (Hardwig, 1991; Luhmann, 1979; Resnik, 2009).1 Such trust justifies funding of research efforts, large-scale adoption of practices based on scientific principles, and young people’s decisions to pursue scientific careers (Resnik, 2011; Siegrist et al., 2007).
