TY - PRO AU - Chambers,R. AU - Watson,D.J. ED - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT), Mexico DF (Mexico) ED - International Conference on Impacts of Agricultural Research and Development TI - Professional error, critical awareness and good science SN - 970-648-076-5 U1 - 338.91 PY - 2003/// CY - Mexico, DF (Mexico) PB - CIMMYT KW - Agricultural development KW - AGROVOC KW - Agricultural policies KW - Economic resources KW - Natural resources KW - Agricultural research KW - CIMMYT N1 - Abstract only N2 - The history of development is littered with examples of beliefs which, though sincerely held by professionals in the social and natural sciences, have later come to be seen as ill founded or wrong. Nine examples help to explain the tendency for questionable and erroneous beliefs and policies to be robustly resilient. Interactions of power, interests and mindsets, and of behaviour and experiences play a part in generating and maintaining myth and error. Critical epistemological awareness to offset and correct misleading influences of professional, institutional and personal interests and orientations is proposed for a more prominent role in good science and policy, and for enhancing the impact of impact evaluations. Questions for self-critical reflection are proposed. The reader is invited to improve on these ER -