Fact and fiction in the discovery of Sir Cyril Burt's flaws

Although there is still controversy over whether British educational psychologist Sir Cyril Hurt committed fraud in his famous studies of the intelligence of separated twins, most agree that his data have no scientific merit. The flaws which produced this judgment were first noted by Leon Kamin, an animal researcher. Evidence suggests that this revelation by an “outsider” was embarrassing to some psychometric specialists who had revered Burl's work as the best of its kind, so they attempted to deprive Kamin of credit for the discovery. This episode raises a disturbing question–whether research results which agree with established beliefs of professionals in a field are held to the usual standards of science.