Research is More Than Your Opinion

Between my undergraduate, specialized honours degree in psychology and my masters degree in social work, I have taken three courses in research as well as conducted an undergraduate thesis and graduate research paper.

Without passing those courses, I would not have attained my degrees. With that, I have just enough background to appreciate the complexities of research to realize the limitations of my knowledge. I have an appreciation of how much there is to know and how little I actually do.

With that, I have only respect for the true researchers, scientists, epidemiologists, and bio-technologists. I hold their opinions in high regard.

Opinions derived from posts on social media or even those of contrary so-called experts, just don’t carry meaningful weight.

This may offend some. It doesn’t matter though.

Whether or not someone is offended because their view or opinion isn’t accepted in face of the actual research of scholars and professionals, only points to a limited appreciation of what actually goes into true research.

To add, of course in a world of more than 7 billion there will be many contrary views, bad outcomes and terrible personal experiences. While these should never be discounted or dismissed, we must still understand and appreciate that with regard to public health, we may not save everybody with each intervention, but more will be saved or the severity of harm reduced for the intervention, than not.

Public health during a pandemic is a lot like managing a game of Russian Roulette, where each must pull a trigger.

The challenge is to either have as few bullets in the barrel as possible, or have a larger barrel with far more empty spaces. So with this you limit how many will get shot and injured and die, but truly not everyone will survive.

In this pandemic, the trigger is pulled by the virus. Vaccines are like limiting its bullets or enlarging the spaces in the barrel so the likelihood of firing the chamber with the bullet is less. We have researches, bio-technologists, epidemiologist and other remarkable scientists worldwide whose entire careers are devoted to creating these, previous and future vaccines and medicines that almost all will rely upon.

I am forever indebted to their tireless efforts. They are the true researchers.

I count myself lucky for their work on our behalf.

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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.