article_snippet: His research was carried out to illustrate how intelligent and otherwise reasonable people develop strong beliefs that are not aligned with reality. '
article_snippet: But Dr Margot identified multiple flaws in the data collection and analysis of the 2004 research.
article_snippet: Dr Margot cited what scientists refer to as the 'confirmation bias' - people's tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms scientists beliefs and ignore data that contradict their beliefs.
article_snippet: Dr Margot said the societal costs of flawed beliefs can be enormous.
article_snippet: In just one current example, the recent measles outbreak appears to have been triggered by parents' questionable beliefs about the safety of the measles vaccine. '
article_snippet: Vaccines are widely and correctly regarded as one of the greatest public health achievements, yet vaccine-preventable diseases are killing people because of beliefs that are out of step with scientific facts,' Dr Margot said.
article_snippet: A willingness to engage in evidence-based reasoning and admit that one's beliefs may be incorrect will produce a more accurate view of the world and result in better decision-making, Dr Margot said. '
article_snippet: The study was published online by the journal Nursing Research.