Uncertainty is part of the process
No matter how many carefully designed experiments they’ve run, scientists will never be able to say they’re “100% certain” that something is safe. They are always open to the possibility that new research tomorrow could overturn current understanding. This flexibility of approach is one of science’s great strengths.
Enough is enough
That said, when the studies start to stack up, most scientists will do everything in their power to rule out a given risk or association. Accept a “high confidence” level as the scientist’s most strongly worded statement on the subject, and don’t vilify scientists who won’t categorically rule out a
given possibility.
Experts may focus on the gaps in knowledge
Scientists may spend less time talking about what they do know (which they assume everyone knows already), than talking about what they don’t know. The unknown is an area of intense interest and potential discovery for scientists. Overall, this can give a skewed view of how important the gaps in knowledge actually are.
Qualifiers and caveats are essential
Sub-editors hate them, but qualifiers indicate the level of scientific uncertainty and are not the result of weak writing in science-related stories. Leave notes when you file your story to try and avoid qualifiers and caveats being cut and inappropriate headlines being created for your stories.
Avoid single-source stories
It can be tempting to report from a well-crafted press release and the one scientist it quotes, but seek views from other scientists, particularly when dealing with uncertainty in results. Scientists are often too close to their work to accurately say how much weight their findings should be given. Check their claims against the peer-reviewed literature and their peers.
The flipside – don’t exaggerate uncertainty
Sometimes media reports give the impression that scientists can’t even agree on the basics. But science is a process and the big picture changes as new studies are completed and scientists add to the body of work that came before them. Contrasting scientific views should be noted but not inflated to suggest uncertainty reigns supreme.
Be careful about “duelling experts”
There’s nothing as quote-worthy as a good argument between experts. But two opposing views doesn’t mean a rift in the scientific community. Be careful you are not playing up disagreement between scientists. Go to scientific bodies, societies and associations for a big picture view.
Don’t pit scientist against non-scientist
A science-related story may originate from a politician, lobby group or a man in the street. While their points of view are important, save the discussion of scientific uncertainty to experts.