Sometimes it is helpful to better define a word or phrase by looking at what term does NOT mean. For example, it helps to understand what science is by looking at what science cannot do. Science cannot be used to answer questions about:
supernatural. Supernatural means “above nature” and science only deals with the natural world.
moral judgments. Science can provide information about HOW to make clones but science does not tell us where we SHOULD make clones.
aesthetic judgments. Science can tell us the types of pigments used in a particular painting but science cannot tell us whether the science is pretty or not.
how to use science. Science can explain how trees conduct water and nutrients throughout the plant but science cannot say what we can do with that information
Pseudoscientific claims are largely spread through the media. When we encounter blatant bias in the media, it's relatively easy to spot. But oftentimes, bias is demonstrated (and spread) in much more subtle ways. It is embedded in how information is presented. The library guide, Uncover Media Bias, outlinesythe many ways in which mass media exhibits bias in published information. With pseudoscience, you may encounter any number of these, including:
Select a partner. Choose one research article you have located to be exchanged for peer review. When reviewing your partner's article, highlight any red flags (suggestions below) that you believe should be considered carefully. Discuss your reasoning with one another.
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first person point-of-view that personalizes comments with words like "I" or We" |
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superlatives, such as "always," "never," "must" |
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belief statements that include "I believe" or "I think" |
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inflammatory language designed to anger or excite. |
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judgement statements that attack rather than report
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solution suggestions using words like "could," should," "must" |
Library Information and Media Center - Monona Grove High School - Monona, Wisconsin