‘ scientific evidence ’

Scientific evidence refers to information, data, or observations that are systematically collected and analyzed according to established scientific methods to support or refute a hypothesis, theory, or claim. It is foundational to decision-making in risk assessment, regulatory science, public health, environmental protection, and other fields that require objective evaluation of potential hazards and outcomes.

Key characteristics of scientific evidence include:

• Empirical Basis: Derived from experiments, observations, or measurements, often using repeatable methods that aim to reduce bias and error.
• Transparency: The methods and assumptions underlying the evidence should be clearly documented to allow for reproducibility and independent verification.
• Peer Review: Evidence that has been evaluated by experts in the relevant field is typically given greater weight.
• Uncertainty and Limitations: All scientific evidence includes a degree of uncertainty, which should be explicitly characterized through confidence intervals, probability distributions, or qualitative assessments.

Scientific evidence may be categorized by the strength or quality of support it provides. For example, randomized controlled trials are generally considered more robust than observational studies in health research, while in environmental science, long-term monitoring data may carry more weight than short-term experiments.

Context in Risk Assessment:

In regulatory and policy contexts, scientific evidence informs risk assessments by identifying hazards, estimating exposures, and characterizing potential health or environmental impacts. For instance, scientific evidence on the toxicity of a chemical, combined with data on human exposure, contributes to decisions on allowable levels in consumer products or industrial emissions.

Challenges:

Discrepancies in findings, limited datasets, or evolving methodologies can lead to scientific uncertainty or controversy. The interpretation and application of evidence can be influenced by stakeholder values, legal frameworks, and institutional mandates.