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That sounds convincing, but I'm not sure it's correct when applied to 
social/behavioral research.  I've noticed, for example, that many "standardized" 
tests for, say, cognitive achievement, are culturally biased.  

Interestingly to me, I had a Ph.D. researcher from a major university come to 
our home to implement an IRB-reviewed protocol with our (mildly autistic) 
son.  She was testing to see whether autistic children grasp the notion that 
others may think differently than they do.  She showed pictures of foods, and 
asked, for example, whether "most children your age would prefer this (carrots) or 
that (wrapped hershey kisses)."  Now, the fact is that most American kids can 
identify a "hershey kiss" as a silver-wrapped pyramidal object.  My son did, 
and got the answer "right."  But what if she were testing a child who didn't 
happen to have exposure to "hershey kisses?"

I've seen similar standardized tests that ask questions like -- who should 
wear a tie? a mommy or a daddy?  hm.  in our house, neither one!  (dad is a 
professor who wears jeans and an open-neck shirt to work!)

I guess what I'm saying is that standardized, lab-verified tests aren't 
always as absolute as one might prefer them to be.
The time consuming simple process of systematically
accumulating raw data in a lab or in the field then combined and checked
with other scientists data in order to create a body of work that is tested
over a period of time is what is meant by "Facts".  It is not subjective.

Lisa Jo Rudy, Writer/Consultant
625 Chelten Hills Drive
Elkins Park, PA 19027
http://www.lisarudy.com/
215-635-9735

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