Recognizing Bad Pop Science

By John Davies

Being able to evaluate the evidence behind any scientific claim is important. Being able to recognize bad science reporting or faults in scientific studies is equally important. These following points may help you separate the real science from the pseudo science.

[Bullet point summary]

• Speculative Language
  
• Sensational Language and Headlines
  
• Correlation and Causation
  
• Misinterpreted results
  
• ‘Cherry-picked’ results
  
• Data Presentation
  
• Journals and citations
  
• Un-replicable results
  
• Peer-review
  

Science is based on provable facts, not blind belief; Question everything.

But remember, the world's most threatening words are – How, What, Who, Why.

Full article here.

Challenge

This graphic from The Economist is accompanied by three paragraphs of text. Can you spot the money quote in it?


(For a hint, examine the URL.)