Science checking due diligence: a new approach to scientific accountability

The framework also extends beyond traditional scientific review to consider broader public interest issues. Decisions based on scientific advice can have significant economic, social and regulatory consequences. The checklist therefore examines impacts on productivity, employment, competitiveness, sovereign capability, regulatory burden, cumulative effects, duty of care and disaster resilience. A decision may be scientifically defensible while still creating unintended consequences that warrant closer examination.

Governance and accountability are equally important. The framework examines who approved decisions, who remains accountable for scientific accuracy, who is responsible for implementation and whether appropriate oversight arrangements exist. Review requirements, reporting mechanisms and corrective action processes are also assessed.

Science checking further recognises that bias and conflicts of interest can influence outcomes. Assessment criteria include funding sources, institutional interests, reviewer independence, confirmation bias and the treatment of dissenting views. Scientific integrity is strengthened when competing perspectives are openly examined rather than excluded.

A further innovation is the inclusion of scientific integrity red flags. These warning indicators include the absence of baseline data, failure to monitor outcomes, selective use of evidence, excessive certainty, lack of independent review and inadequate mechanisms for learning from mistakes. While such indicators do not necessarily invalidate a decision, they highlight areas requiring closer scrutiny.

Strengthening accountability

The Science checking due diligence and audit checklist is intended to strengthen accountability rather than create additional bureaucracy. It provides a practical method for assessing whether evidence is robust, assumptions are reasonable, risks have been adequately considered and outcomes can be independently verified.

Just as organisations routinely audit finances, safety systems and governance arrangements, science checking provides a framework for independently assessing the quality, reliability and accountability of scientific advice. By applying due diligence principles to evidence based decisions, organisations can improve transparency, reduce risk and increase confidence that important decisions are supported by the strongest available evidence.

As science continues to shape government, industry and society, science checking offers a practical framework for ensuring that evidence based decision making remains evidence tested, accountable and focused on real world outcomes.