Junk Science Judo

A Short Course

Course Topics

Definition & Consequences

Recognizing Junk Science

What You Can Do About It

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Course based on "Junk Science Judo" by Steve Milloy © 2001 Cato Institute. All rights reserved.

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The scientific method's experimental approach is more about questions than answers. Junk scientists rush to the answers without addressing or caring about the questions.

A few good rules to recognize junk science are:

• Doubt everything: Be skeptical of scary health news. In science, credibility is earned, not self-evident. You think, therefore you doubt.
• The Yoke's on them: The burden of proof is always on the party trying to prove a point. "Better safe than sorry" can be an excuse to push junk science.
• Speculation isn't science: Watch out for junk scientists who try to pass off speculation as reasons to hit the panic button. Giveaway terms include "may", "might', "could", "if", "possibly", "perhaps", "potentially", and the like. When uttered by someone with a clear vested interest in promoting a health scare, these words can indicate junk science.
• Anecdotes aren't data : Anecdotal data are essentially a single or a few observations. Anecdotes are designed to appeal to your emotions and fears. It's a ruse to get you to put your brain in neutral and overlook the facts.