What Is And Is Not Science 1u3u3p

What Is and Is Not Science? Don't be Fooled

Class Copy Do Not Keep

Certain characteristics exist that can help determine what is and is not science. The acronym “NOTTUS” can be used as a memory hook for these six characteristics: Natural, Observable, Testable, Tentative, Uncertain, and Social. The first of these, Natural, refers to the fact that science seeks to explain the things found in the universe. Science must also be Observable through human senses or through tools that help us observe what cannot be observed with our senses alone. Tools such as a radar, telescope, microscope, or cameras and sensors on satellites are good examples. These Natural and Observable phenomena must also be Testable. We can make predictions about how they will behave, change, or react and then test these predictions using science methods. Tests in science must be repeatable, consistent and predictable. Scientific findings are Tentative and Temporary. Over time, corrections, additional evidence, or contrary evidence may change what we know. When science findings have been tested repeatedly over a period of time, then that knowledge becomes scientific theory. Even theories in science remain tentative, although they are less likely to be proven wrong. Science is also Uncertain. As evidence grows over time, science becomes more certain but it never attains 100 percent certainty (if anyone claims that, they are probably trying to sell you something). Being 99 percent certain is still 1 percent uncertain. Weather forecasts are reliable but the forecasts are nearly always uncertain to a greater or lesser extent. And finally, science is Social. It requires collaboration with other scientists, communication of results with one's peers, and presenting findings in journals, presentations, and scientific conferences. It may at times require solitary work but eventually it must be a social in nature and involve sharing the science with the scientific community. If It’s Not Science, What Is It? The prefix "pseudo" mean "false" and "proto" means "before." Protoscience: Protoscience is science that is emerging or near science in of conforming to “NOTTUS”, however, it falls short in one or more ways. For example, some scientists are researching if electricity throughout Earth's atmosphere might have connections to Earth's climate system and help us identify trends. It is thought by some to be worthy of scientific consideration. Pseudoscience: Pseudoscience is false science that is positioned as science. Good examples of a pseudoscience include astrology, many weight loss pills, and unscientific means for determining the age of the Earth. Nonscience: Non-science events do not meet the NOTTUS characteristics of science. Examples include belief systems, e.g., religious beliefs, philosophy, personal opinions or attitudes. Non-science events or phenomena can be very logical and even true, however, they are simply unobservable, untestable, unpredictable, inconsistent, or often fall outside of the natural world. They cannot be tested and verified as either true or false.

Name: ______________________________________

Period: __________________

In your own words, describe what each letter of NOTTUS means as a way of defining science. Then describe the meaning of Protoscience, Pseudoscience and Non-science, in the spaces below.

Science

Natural

Observable

Testable

Tentative

Uncertain

Social

Meaning

≠ Not Science

Meaning

Protoscience

Pseudoscience

Non-science

Name: ______________________________________

Period: __________________

Write the statements you are given to be classified and then check each NOTTUS box if the statement meets the NOTTUS criteria. Then classify the statement as Science, Protoscience, Pseudoscience or Non-science. Finally, argue the reasoning for your classification. Statement to be Classified

N

O

T

T

U

S

N

O

T

T

U

S

N

O

T

T

U

S

1.

Reasoning:

2.

Reasoning:

3.

Reasoning:

Science or Proto/Pseudo/Non-science