Fact or Fiction? Analyzing Scientific Claims. Who and what should you believe? Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Fact or Fiction?

Analyzing Scientific Claims


Who and what should you believe?

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

7 Years Younger is Good Housekeeping's science-based program…


http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Look-7-Years-Younger-3993307.php

“Inside this book, you'll learn 5 activities that slow down aging, as proven by scientists (do this every day and you'll look 10 years younger)”1


Imaging a tonic that can cure everything that might be wrong with you. It can even fix your unpopularity.


Would you believe …

•A lip gloss can help you lose weight.3

•Yogurt powder can prevent wrinkles and condition your hair.


Would you believe …

•A brush with copper bristles can prevent dandruff.4

•Grapes can slow down aging.


SkillsCommon sense

•Does the claim make sense, based on your prior knowledge?

•You may need a science background to analyze some claims, but common sense can provide a starting point.

Evaluate the source

•Does the cited source seem credible?

•What motivated the research?

•Is the evidence empirical or inferential?

•A little research can give a claim credibility―or not.

Skills

Evaluate the statistics

1.How big was the sampling population?

2.Was the sampling random?

Skills


3.What was the sampling method?

4.Is the cause supported by the data?

Skills


5.Could bias have affected the data?

6.Is the data significant?Is it important?

Skills

Misleading Scientific Claims

Intentionally obfuscating the facts

•Casting doubt on the data

•Making counter claims

•Citing other experts

•Making promises

•Lying about their reasons

This advertisement appeared in over 400 U.S. newspapers on January 4, 1954.

Misleading Scientific Claims

QUESTIONS

• Identify three statements that discredit or cast doubt on the research linking smoking to lung cancer.

• List two promises made by the tobacco industry.

• Identify at least two statements to make readers believe the tobacco industry is a good corporate citizen.

QUESTIONS?

• How do the four “distinguished authorities point out” claims obfuscate the smoking-lung cancer link?

• What effect do you think “A Frank Statement …” had on consumers?

• Explain your overall impression of “A Frank Statement to Cigarette Smokers.”

Scientific Claim

Makes Sense?

Credible Source?

Statistics Valid?

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Scientific Claims Flow Chart

QUESTIONS? Do you have any questions about:

•the NGSS and the 2014 GED® Test?

•the nature of science?

•scientific theories?

•analyzing scientific claims?

Session Resources1Amazon®, Japanese Women Stay Young Forever: The Secrets To Look And

Feel 10 Years Younger. Accessed August 16, 2013. http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Women-Young-Forever-ebook/dp/B00B1LOBIO.

2Ball, Lucile. “I Love Lucy.” Online video clip. YouTube. Accessed August 16, 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4AZK2-Tfc84.

3Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation. Accessed August 16, 2013. http://www.smellandtaste.org/?action=research.

4Comp Immunol Microbial Infect Dis 22(2):93-102. 1999. Accessed August 16, 2013.

5Cummings KM, Morley CP, Hyland A. Failed promises of the cigarette industry and its effect on consumer misperceptions about the health risks of smoking. Tobacco Control 2002; 11 110-117. Accessed August 16, 2013. http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/.

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Fact or Fiction? Analyzing Scientific Claims. Who and what should you believe? Developing Critical Thinking Skills