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. 2023 Feb 24;18(2):e0282243. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282243

Table 1. Scientists’ views about the scientific controversy.

Theme Class description Exemplary quote
Conflict actors Groups or institutions collectively There’s definitely teams. (23)
Single individuals It’s always a history of person. And if two persons […] respect themselves, [the discussion] will be constructive, even though they have different opinions. (27)
Own role Determine which side is right I can, hopefully very objectively, decide if a process is possible or not. (35)
Provide information [W]hoever finally finds out which theory is the right one […], I hope that I contributed enough information for the final answer. (28)
Defend or advance a specific side I hope that I would […], excite people on the main road to try out the side road and widen their theoretical concept. (19)
Actively try to defuse conflict My role would be a mediator […] I do think that I have input on how that discussion should be held. (9)
Cause of conflict Active (willing) violation of rules or boundaries You shouldn’t be dogmatic about your research. And I think that’s a lesson we have to learn. (8)
Natural part of the process or of the actors involved That’s how we go from one point to more knowledge, right? To challenge the views, to challenge the beliefs, to challenge the established science. (21)
There is no conflict I went to several meetings where these questions were discussed […] and there the discussion was very open. (15)
Lack of information [T]he chemists or the physicists, they think other about things. (37)