Objective versus Advocacy Models of Scientific Enterprise: A Comment on the Mitroff Myth

In reading an article by Armstrong (1980) the present author misinterpreted the paper, falling victim to Armstrong's hoax. This incident dramatizes how readers are compelled to rely on objective reporting, and raises questions about an advocacy approach to science, an approach promoted by Mitroff and criticized by Armstrong. It is argued here that a distinction must be made: advocacy is useful in conducting research but impartiality is required in reporting research.