TRUE SCIENCE vs.
PSEUDO-SCIENCE
Distinguishing Science and
Pseudoscience
The word "pseudo" means fake
z The surest way to spot a fake is to know
as much as possible about the real thing -in this case, about science itself
z
z
Knowing science does not mean simply
knowing scientific facts (such as the distance from
earth to sun, the distinction between mammal and
reptile, etc.) It
means understanding the nature
of science
the need to have sufficient evidence,
z Having no hidden agenda - not trying to promote
an ideological, cultural or commercial goal
z the design of meaningful experiments,
z the testing of hypotheses,
z the establishment of theories,
z the many aspects of scientific methods that make
it possible to draw reliable conclusions
z
Pseudoscience
Science
The primary goal of
science is to achieve
a more complete and
more unified
understanding of the
physical world.
Pseudo-Science
z
Pseudosciences are
more likely to be
driven by ideological,
cultural, or
commercial goals
Science
z
Most scientific fields
are the subjects of
intense research
which result in the
continual expansion
of knowledge in the
discipline.
Pseudo-Science
z
Pseudoscientists clip
newspaper reports,
collect hearsay, and
cite other
pseudoscience
books. They rarely or
never make an
independent
investigation to check
their sources
Science
z
Workers in the field
commonly seek out
other scientific
findings and
experiments that test
the credibility of their
findings.
Pseudo-Science
z
Pseudoscience
begins with a
hypothesis -- usually
one which is
appealing
emotionally,
and spectacularly farfetched -- and then
looks only for items
which appear to
support it.
Science
z
The emphasis is on
controlled, repeatable
scientific experiments
Pseudo-Science
z
The emphasis is on
unverifiable
eyewitness testimony,
stories and tall tales,
hearsay, rumor, and
dubious anecdotes.
Science
z
Controlled
experiments with only
one variable are
completed multiple
times to test a
hypothesis.
Pseudo-Science
z
Much of the evidence
is circumstantial. For
example, Joe Shmow
puts jello on his head
and his headache
goes away. To
pseudoscience, this
means jello cures
headaches.
Astrology
The Scientific
Method
The “tool” that scientists use to find
answers to questions
What is the Scientific Method?
„
It is the process that is used to find
answers to question about the world
around us.
Is there only one “scientific method”?
There are several versions of the
scientific method
„ Some versions have more steps
„ They all begin with the identification of a
problem or a question
„ Provides an organized method for
conducting and analyzing an experiment
„
Steps of the Scientific Method
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify the Problem
Research the Problem/Make Observations
Form a Hypothesis
Create and Perform an Experiment
Analyze the Data
Communicate Results –OR- Modify the
Experiment and Start Over
“DR HERC” will help you
remember the steps of the scientific
method
„
„
„
„
„
„
Develop a problem
Research information
State a Hypothesis
Conduct Experiment
Record data
Reach a Conclusion
A Hypothesis is a suggested explanation for a phenomenon. This suggestion is made after researching the subject.
ƒ Written as an “If...then…” statement
ƒ
ƒ Ex. IF you don’t study THEN you’ll get a bad grade on the test
ƒ
A useful hypothesis is a testable statement
Atoms are the smallest ƒ Yes
particle of matter.
ƒ The universe is ƒ No
surrounded by a second universe, the existence of which cannot be detected by scientists.
ƒ The Incredible Hulk is ƒ No the best super‐hero ever in the world.
ƒ
Control‐ Part of the experiment that is not being tested and used for comparison
ƒ In a scientific experiment only ONE thing may be changed at a time, otherwise you won’t be able to tell which variable (change) caused your result!
ƒ Variable‐ Any part of an experiment that is changed with each trial
ƒ
ƒ Independent Variable‐ Part of the experiment that is manipulated (changed) ƒ Dependent Variable‐ Part of the experiment that is affected by the change in the independent variable
How do you conduct an
experiment?
List the materials you will need
„ Write down your procedures EXACTLY
„
„
Describe EVERY step of your experiment
Write down everything you do
„ Control your variables (you should only
change one thing)
„ Make observations and record all results
(data)
„
What is Data?
„
„
It is the information gathered during an
experiment
Two main types of data
„
Quantitative: Numerical (the most powerful type
of data)
„
„
Ex. The plant grew 5 inches
Qualitative: Descriptive
„
Ex. The plant got bigger
Observation vs. Inference
„ When
recording information from
your experiment, be sure that it is
as FACTUAL as possible.
„ Make Observations NOT
Inferences.
Observations
• Any factual information collected with the
senses.
• The skill of describing scientific events.
Inference
• Conclusions or deductions based on
observations
– May be influenced by prior knowledge.
• The process of drawing a conclusion from
given evidence.
Tracks like these are
common in parts of New
England and in the
southwestern United
States.
What do you OBSERVE?
What can you INFER?
Now
what do
you
think?
Infer what happened based on your
observations.
Observation Activity #1
•
•
Observe the picture for exactly 30
seconds. Look at everything you think
might be important.
After 30 seconds, answer the questions
on the next page on a sheet of paper.
How observant were you? Compare your
answers to the picture.
Question 1
How many windows did the house have?
(count covered and uncovered windows
Question 2
What color was the little boys sweater?
Question 3
Any ducks around?
Question 4
How many black dogs are in the picture?
Question 5
What color is the shirt hanging from the
door?
Question 1
How many windows did the house have?
(count covered and uncovered windows
Question 2
What color was the little boys sweater?
Question 3
Any ducks around?
Question 4
How many black dogs are in the picture?
Question 5
What color is the shirt hanging from the door?
Observation Activity #2
•
•
Observe the picture for exactly 30
seconds. Look at everything you think
might be important.
After 30 seconds, answer the questions
on the next page on a sheet of paper.
How observant were you? Compare your
answers to the picture.
Questions
1. How many students are on the stage?
2. How many people are in the back row?
3. Are all of the students on stage
holding papers?
4. What is the name of this school?
5. How many boys are on stage?
6. What color is the student’s shirt on
the right hand of the stage?
Questions
1. How many students are on the stage?
Questions
2. How many people are in the back row?
3. Are all of the students on stage
holding papers?
Questions
4. What is the name of this school?
Questions
5. How many boys are on stage?
Questions
6. What color is the student’s shirt on
the right hand of the stage?
Observation vs Inference
• On the next slide, state whether the
statement is an observation or an
inference.
1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the
coin.
2. The words printed on both sides of the coin are Latin.
3. The Latin word "Dei" means "God."
4. The coin was made by deeply religious people.
5. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.
6. The coin was made in 1722.
7. The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's
president.
Which square is lighter in color? A
or B?
They are the same color!!!
Is this image moving?
Are the streams moving?
How many prongs do you see?
Is this a true circle?
How many columns do you
see?
What do you see?
Which way is the Ferris wheel
rotating?
How many steps are there?
• Which way is the
window facing?
What do you
see?
How do you record your data?
„
„
„
Make charts, tables, and graphs
Write a summary only stating what is truly
observed (do not make inferences)
Draw pictures or take photos
How do you state your conclusion?
„
„
Look at your data
Decide what your data tells you about your
hypothesis
„
„
„
„
Was your hypothesis correct?
Decide how you might change your hypothesis
based on your result
Think about what you might do to experiment
further
Communicate your results with others