Countering false beliefs: An analysis of the evidence and recommendations of best practices for the retraction and correction of scientific misinformation

Although false beliefs about science are at the core of theory and practice in the field of scientific communication, correction and retraction of misinformation entail a complex and difficult process. This chapter first provides a review of trends in scientific retraction and correction notes failures in the fundamental communicative function of signaling that a published finding has been invalidated. It describes the recent practical communication developments that are increasing the transparency and visibility of retractions and corrections of fraudulent or incorrect scientific findings and examines the final barrier to correction of misbelief: the continued influence effect. The chapter reviews the results of a meta- analysis of the continued influence effect and present psychology- based recommendations in the form of decision trees to guide the work of scientists and practitioners and provides eight best practice recommendations for science communication scholars and practitioners as they continue their battle against misinformation.