The Signs of Bogus Science

Originally designed as a guide for judges having to evaluate scientific claims and witnesses, this article is worth reading for the “laity,” too.

The seven warning signs (refer to the article for the explanations):

1. The discoverer pitches the claim directly to the media.
2. The discoverer says that a powerful establishment is trying to suppress his or her work.
3. The scientific effect involved is always at the very limit of detection.
4. Evidence for the discovery is anecdotal.
5. The discoverer says a belief is credible because it has endured for centuries.
6. The discoverer has worked in isolation.
7. The discoverer must propose new laws of nature to explain an observation.

Note that these are warnings, red flags, not proof of bogosity. Some scientific advancement has worked this way. But it’s a good rule of thumb as to where to start your skepto-meter from when someone is touting some Big New Thing (especially if you’re being asked to invest money in it).

(via GeekPress)