Science 10 – An example of the Debunking the Paranormal Project
Please note areas that are different from your current
assignment. Refer to the assignment outline.
Species of Big foot
Step 1: You must include a short list of claims and evidence used to support the
existence of the phenomena. (This is point 3 in the Process section of your
assignment. See example below of how this could be laid out)
Claims
1. The Patterson-Gimlin film was shot back in 1967 using 16mm film. To this
day, this film remains the most compelling piece of Bigfoot video evidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x3__akoM5w
2. A team of researchers came across bigfoot prints located in Northern Georgia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFyA0mrUamU
3. A team of researchers meet up with a family from oregon who believe a family of bigfoot
live on their property.
http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/finding-bigfoot/videos/oregon-family-comes-acrossstrange-creatures/
4. Biologist claims she saw Bigfoot crossing the road while she was driving.
http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/finding-bigfoot/videos/even-a-scientist-cant-deny-whatshe-saw/
5. One of the most intriguing claims reported was by Clynn Josephson Labor Day weekend
1980 near Oxford Peak Southeastern Idaho.
http://www.bigfootencounters.com/films/clynn.htm
6. Two bikers claim they saw Bigfoot while biking through sasquatch provincial park in
British Columbia
http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/finding-bigfoot/videos/two-local-bikers-come-acrosspath-of-mysterious-hairy-creature/
7. M.K. Davis claims to have multiple samples of Bigfoot hair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zT8uKwY-R8
8. Carmine Thomas Biscardi who runs the web site “Searching for Bigfoot”,
describes himself as the “Real Bigfoot Hunter”. Tom and his team of 9 run
expeditions searching for bigfoot, responding to sighting from tips they receive on
their “Bigfoot Hotline”
http://www.searchingforbigfoot.com/Tom_Biscardi/
Step 2: Write a paper (essay format) that address at least three areas of reasoning
from “A field Guide to Critical Thinking”
Paragraph 1: Background/Introduction Paragraph (Please refer to the example
below. Note that this example does not include the three areas of reasoning that they
will be discussing. YOU MUST INCLUDE THIS! It cannot be in point form and
needs to be crafted into your introduction paragraph)
Background Example
The purpose of this report is to expose the falseness behind the Bigfoot myth. Bigfoot sighting
can be traced back as early as the 1830, however, interest started growing rapidly during the
second half of the twentieth century. The existence of Bigfoot still remains a mystery. Bigfoot is
commonly described as a hairy creature between six and eight feet tall that appears to be half man
half ape. Bigfoot’s characteristics include a large forehead, pronounced brow, much like a
caveman as well as a crested head like a gorilla. He is covered in brown or red hair and has
enormous feet, which is how he received the name “Big Foot”. The largest estimation on foot
size is 2 feet long by eight inches wide. Eyewitnesses have claimed that he has been spotted in
almost every state. In the Himalayas, they are also known as the Yeti and in Canada, they’re
known as the Sasquatch.
Paragraph 2 Example
Falsifiability
The existence of the Bigfoot however, is falsifiable. For something living to exist,
it must have to die sooner or later. This means that there must be hard evidence
of Bigfoot when it dies. Those who believe in Bigfoot argue that the soil in the
areas that the organism lives in, is acidic and breaks down the bone however,
Bigfoot has been reported in all states except hawaii. The soil is not acidic in all
of these places which means scientists would have found hard evidence by now.
The same soil has preserved everything from dinosaur bones to tiny marine
animals. If the soil can preserve those fossils from that long ago, they should be
able to preserve fossils from recent creatures. If the species is reported to exist in
so many areas, there should be an existing fossil record however, there is no
record fitting the description of Bigfoot.
Paragraph 3 Example
Comprehensiveness
Bigfoot evidence is broken down into four general types: eyewitness sightings,
footprints, recordings, and somatic samples which include, things like hair and
blood samples. All the concrete evidence has been scientifically tested and
taken into consideration. Every somatic sample has been proven to belong to
another organism or something found in a household. The other key “evidence”
for the existence of Bigfoot is based on eyewitness accounts although,
psychologists have proven the accounts as inaccurate. Most eyewitness claims
end up being pranks or simply misidentified animals. At one point in time, there
was a thriving market for “Bigfoot feet” which you could create your own Bigfoot
prints to prank your family and friends. Today, People continue to dress up in ape
costumes and ghillie suits to keep the legend going. Benjamin Radford, deputy
editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine states, “the problem is, that's not evidence,
it's an anecdote....It's interesting and you shouldn't dismiss it out of hand, but it's
not evidence." [1] Aside from eyewitnesses, blurry images are what most Bigfoot
believers rely on. In these pictures, it appears to be something that is living
however, that could be a bear, Bigfoot, or it could easily be a man in a suit.
Radford states,"it's a two-dimensional image. Its pixels." There is no hard,
scientific evidence to prove the existence of Bigfoot therefore it is not
comprehensive.
Paragraph 4 Example
Logic
Even for mammals that are relatively rare, such as chimpanzees, it requires a
significant population size to maintain a species. “If bigfoot is a zoological reality,”
said Radford, “there has to be a breeding population.” [3] In order for the
population to be big enough to contribute a portion of the sightings, there would
have to be tens of thousands of Bigfoot in North America alone. "Think about
that for a second. Tens of thousands of Bigfoot, living, breathing, doing what
they do. Where are they? Why don't they get hit by a car?" asked Bradford. "The
numbers just simply don't add up." [2] Dozens of new species are discovered
each year however, most are smaller species such as microorganisms and
insects. The giant panda was the last large species to be discovered and that
was over 100 years ago. Since then, there hasn't been a new creature that
hasn't already fit the required taxonomy. If there is so many Bigfoot out there,
it doesn't make sense that the could hide in such a populated world especially
due to their size.
5th Paragraph: THIS IS YOUR CONCLUSION.
This is the only paragraph that you can use the word “I” in. Please refer to your
assignment for further guidelines. Note that this example does NOT contain an
example of a concluding paragraph.
Point 5 from your Process: Using the scientific Method to propose a research
proposal to either prove or disprove this phenomena utilizing actual science.
Example: Please refer to your notes on the scientific method. I am not
saying that this is a good or bad example. However, I would strongly
suggest making sure you understand the scientific method before starting
this section.
Research Proposal
With the help of today's science we can run tests to depict whether or not Bigfoot
is real. The advancements in technology can provide us with assistance when it
comes to D.N.A. samples. At this point in time, the only way to really prove
Bigfoot's existence is through the samples discovered. A good way to determine
the accuracy of the samples provided in the claims, scientists can test them.
Bigfoot hair samples are commonly found and are one of the most testable.
In the article “‘bigfoot’ samples analyzed in lab” by Sarah C.P. Williams, dated
July 1, 2014, she outlined the results of an experiment conducted in 2012 by
researchers at the university of Oxford in the United Kingdom and the museum of
Zoology in Lausanne, Switzerland. The problem in this experiment is asking, do
the D.N.A. hair samples, provide proof of the existence of Bigfoot. The
hypothesis was not provided however, just by looking at some of the hair
samples, the scientists could immediately tell that they did not belong to Bigfoot
or any animal in general. They received 57 hair samples from around the world,
claiming to be from Bigfoot. Of these 57 samples collected, scientists were able
to eliminate 20 samples that were ruled to be substances other than hair. The
remaining 37 samples were tested, 30 had recoverable D.N.A. which had
belonged to already discovered species. When testing theses samples, the
researchers isolated and cleaned a 2 - 4 cm segment of each hair. To identify the
evolutionary source, of each sample, the researchers found the sequence of
genes located in the mitochondria of cells which encodes the 12S R.N.A. This is
used to identify species. In conclusion, none of the tested samples could
determine of the Bigfoot species.
Example of Sources: Please not that for each source you are required to
give a brief explanation about each one. You do not have to write me a
book. Please keep it to the point.
Bibliography
"The Empty Fossil Record : DNews." DNews. Web. 14 Feb. 2016. [1] [2] [3]
http://news.discovery.com/animals/endangered-species/10-reasons-whybigfoots-a-bust-140526.htm
"Why Bigfoot Is Fake: Bigfoot Debunked!" HubPages. HubPages. Web. 14
Feb. 2016.
http://hubpages.com/education/Why-Bigfoot-is-Fake-Bigfoot-Debunked
"The Origin of the Bigfoot Legend." Today I Found Out. 2013. Web. 14 Feb.
2016.
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/05/the-origin-of-the-bigfootlegend/
"'Bigfoot' Samples Analyzed in Lab." 'Bigfoot' Samples Analyzed in Lab.
2014. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/07/bigfoot-samples-analyzed-lab
"Bigfoot at 50 Evaluating a Half-Century of Bigfoot Evidence." - CSI. Web.
15 Feb. 2016.
http://www.csicop.org/si/show/bigfoot_at_50_evaluating_a_halfcentury_of_bigfoot_evidence
"Why Bigfoot Is Fake: Bigfoot Debunked!" HubPages. HubPages. Web. 15
Feb. 2016.
http://hubpages.com/education/Why-Bigfoot-is-Fake-Bigfoot-Debunked