How Pseudoscience and Science Are Related

Science is a term that is used quite often, but what happens when the things one learns prove to be false? As a researcher, one has to be very aware and able to readily recognize the difference between fact and fiction. The term “science” can be defined as the systematic study of structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. Pseudoscience is defined as “fake” science in which seemingly scientific terms and demonstrations are used to substantiate claims that have no basis in scientific research.

In order to overcome this the researcher should be able to go over the research and determine if the product that is being advertised does what it claims by looking very closely at the research. Some things to look out for are when experiments are conducted and the research is too perfect. For example, if the advertiser is offering a diet or weight loss pill, the results presented should vary from person to person or be able to be refuted. If everyone involved in the study has the same results, then one can conclude that the experiment may have been pseudoscientific.

Science is something that more than one person has to help prove the accuracy of. This means that if a “scientist” is claiming something and has no one to agree with or refute the case, then the claim may not be true. In science it is okay to not agree with something a researcher or scientist may claim to be true, that is what makes the research accurate. When examining results of an experiment or study, the research should be readily available and have all results presented; to include the negative results. The reason that negative results need to be included is to show that the test may have been run more than once to get the proper result. Negative results also tell people that whatever product probably will not work the first time it is tested or used. These results can also tell consumers that it still needs to be perfected in the lab before it should be bought.

Finally, as researchers analyze results and come to their own conclusions about products and how they work; they should be fully aware of the process it took to get those results. We, as consumers, must be able to recognize when products are not what they say they are and do not work in the way in which the advertiser has lead us to believe. Consumers have to be aware of only positive results or non-refutable results. These types of results cannot fall under the category of science, therefore, they are pseudoscience and the product should be avoided, until further research is done to find out the negative effects.