Question

·         Question 1

	Describe the scientific method:

·         Question 2

	Give two differences between science and pseudoscience:

·         Question 3

	Give an example of a falsifiable statement:

·         Question 4

	What is confirmation bias?

Answer 1

The scientific method is a process by which scientists try to find out answer to a query/question/problem or provide new knowledge about a subject via analysis, consulting scientific literature, conducting experiments, getting observations, interpreting results and developing a hypothesis. The scientific method involves series of steps.  

Observations
Description of phenomenon
Experimentation (if required)
Developing a hypothesis to explain the phenomena.
Testing or confirming the hypothesis by performing experiments
Analyze the results/new observations.
Giving an interpretation

Science

Pseudoscience

It is based on principles which explain facts and phenomena

It is not based on reality but related to predictions

False hypothesis can be corrected by reevaluation

Hypothesis cannot be corrected

Based on facts

Based on predictions

Hypothesis are based on experiments, observations and results.

Statements are based on ideas and concepts

Reproducible results are produced from experiments.

Results cannot be reproduced or verified

Results are supported by logical reasoning

Results are based on faith and ideas.

Peer review process is followed

Peer review process is not followed

Falsifiable statement

A statement for which there are some observations to show that claim is false. There is always a possibility of testing or observing how false or true the statement is.

For example, the statement that ‘All swans are white’ is falsifiable. We can falsify the statement by observing a swan that is not white. Logical background is not provided and statement is given based on single observation.

Confirmation bias

It is the process of confirming the existing information or hypothesis or beliefs via search, interpretation, information and reasoning. This approach sometimes leads to inconsistent information because the way of gathering and interpreting information differs from person to person.