The American Federation of Teachers in January released a report titled The “Faculty Bias” Studies: Science or Propaganda? The report finds that the most frequently cited research on alleged political bias in college faculty is severely flawed in its methodology and makes sweeping assumptions that invalidate its “findings.”

“Objective research is essential, and clearly, that is not what we find in the studies analyzed in this report,” said AFT President Edward J. McElroy. “It doesn’t matter if you are conservative or liberal. Bad research and inaccurate characterizations are a disservice to academia and to the students who are its central concern.”

William Scheuerman, an AFT vice president who heads up the AFT’s Higher Education program and policy Council, added “Higher education professionals teach. They don’t preach. They are committed to academic freedom and to the free exchange of ideas in the classroom.” Scheuerman, who has testified on the issue before various state legislatures, added that most researchers understand how flawed the studies reviewed in the AFT’s report truly are. Nonetheless, the inaccuracies of such research are often presented and accepted as fact. “The AFT believes that accuracy and scientific integrity matter, and that the public has a right to know when research falls short of the mark.”

Welcome! The article you'd like to read is available to Adjunct Advocate subscribers, or to non-subscribers for purchase with AdjunctNation Passport credits. Your AdjunctNation Passport credit purchases compensate the writers directly!

If you like, visit our secure online store to purchase AdjunctNation Passport credits or subscribe. PLEASE NOTE: If you're already registered, you don't need to register again to read the article! You need to login, go to our secure online store, and purchase AdjunctNationCredits.