Question

Determine whether each of the following statements is likely to represent real science or pseudoscience. In each case of likely pseudoscience, identify which scientific standard is not met.

a. Dr. Oz says that green coffee beans will burn fat, so you can lose weight without dieting.
b. The Wall Street Journal reports that climate scientists have conspired to exaggerate the effects of global climate change.
c. A group of researchers reports at a national scientific conference that they have found a genetic link to autism.
d. Many astrologers agree that people born under the sun sign Aquarius are more intelligent than those born under Scorpio.
e. A study published in the scientific journal Diabetes finds that sleeping in a cooler room may increase metabolic rate and insulin sensitivity.

Answer 1

Statement a. and b. likely represent pseudoscience, while c., d., and e. represent real science.

Step-by-step explanation:

Statement a. likely represents pseudoscience because it is based on a claim made by Dr. Oz without sufficient scientific evidence to support it. The scientific standard of credible evidence is not met in this case.

Statement b. likely represents pseudoscience because it is a conspiracy theory without credible evidence. The scientific standard of empirical evidence is not met here.

Statement c. represents real science. It is based on a report by researchers at a scientific conference, which is a credible source. The scientific standard of empirical evidence is met in this case.

Statement d. likely represents pseudoscience because it is based on the opinion of astrologers, which is not supported by scientific evidence. The scientific standard of empirical evidence is not met in this case.

Statement e. represents real science. It is based on a study published in a scientific journal, which is a credible source. The scientific standard of empirical evidence is met in this case.