Think Like a Scientist to Strengthen Our Democracy

By Joseph David Quinn-Vitabile, 2025 Governor's STEM Scholar

In the digital age, information is more accessible than ever. Yet, even basic facts have become items of heated debate. Political discussions have become increasingly nonsensical, making progress on important issues frustratingly slow. It’s tempting to tune it all out, but disengaging means forfeiting the power we have in our democracy. Fortunately, there’s a way forward. By applying the principles of scientific thinking, we can help fight misinformation, build confidence in our understanding of the world, and make more informed decisions.

Scientific reasoning has long been the foundation of progress, yet public trust in science has declined in recent years. A 2023 study from the Pew Research Center found a 16-point drop in trust in science since the start of the pandemic. Misinformation about topics like vaccine safety, climate change, and public health—once fringe ideas—now find support in mainstream political discourse.

Many politicians have found success in deliberately spreading falsehoods to create confusion, mislead voters, and stall policy action. For example, the current administration is attempting to reverse the official finding that greenhouse gases harm public health. This action goes against clear scientific evidence.

The problem isn’t just that misinformation exists—it’s that it thrives when people aren’t equipped to challenge it. If we want to be better informed and make a difference, we need a stronger approach to engaging with political information.

As a college student in a STEM field, I’ve found that the best way to understand any topic is to approach it like scientific research. Consider that the claims we hear from politicians, media outlets, and online influencers are like hypotheses about how to improve the country. For instance, one hypothesis might be that raising tariffs will strengthen American businesses. Scientists don’t accept or reject hypotheses blindly; they test them against evidence. We can do the same in daily life. When we hear a political claim, we should evaluate it by consulting the facts from reliable sources, see if it makes sense, and compare it to our own real-world observations. And, like scientists, we must be willing to change our views when presented with credible new evidence.

Adopting a scientific approach takes a continuous effort. Many young voters, myself included, have developed poor online habits that are challenging to correct. Research has shown that Gen Z often determines an article’s credibility based on social media comments rather than verifying facts independently. Many of us also passively absorb news, waiting for it to show up in our feeds instead of actively seeking out diverse perspectives.

To reason like scientists, we need to be active, not passive, in how we engage with information online. When we see a political post, we often lack the full context to judge it right away. Instead of getting caught up in others’ opinions, we should take a few minutes to consider a wider viewpoint and investigate for ourselves. What policies or governing bodies are being discussed, and what do they do? The relevant details should be made clear. Beyond that, we should also ask bigger questions: Who stands to benefit from certain narratives? What do experts in the field say? Seeking answers from multiple sources helps us develop stronger background knowledge while continuously refining our political views.

It’s important to be sensible with how we engage with information in daily life - especially when it clouds our judgements in matters of politics. Ultimately, this isn’t just about winning arguments or proving others wrong. It’s about protecting our democracy and shaping our future built on informed decision making. With New Jersey elections approaching, now is the time to sharpen our thinking, push back against misinformation, and vote with confidence. This NJ STEM Month, let’s commit to thinking like scientists—not just in the lab or classroom, but in how we understand and engage with the world.

Joseph David Quinn-Vitabile is a third-year computer science major and physics minor at Montclair State University and a 2025 Governor’s STEM Scholar. Passionate about applying scientific thinking beyond the lab, he conducts computational physics research and advocates for critical reasoning in public discourse, especially in the fight against misinformation.