How trusting is society towards science? In general, the picture is positive: according to the Science Barometer 2023, 56% of respondents have trust in research and science. At the same time, there is also mistrust in research results and questions about the independence of researchers. But what is the basis of the most common prejudices that researchers are confronted with in their work? We shed light on four popular myths and misconceptions: from dependence on funders and dealing with mistakes to a constantly quarrelling profession and a chronic lack of reality. Discover how research really works.