How to recognize Good Science
compiled by Dr. Douglas Duncan and his students at the
University of Colorado
web or other sites:
Should be logical, based on facts and data, not just opinions.
Clear references are given so that you can look up data and check that statements are accurate.
Information has been published in peer reviewed (checked by other scientists before publication) journals.
Contrary information is given when it exists, not just information supporting an idea or theory.
What is not known is identified.
If a claim is extraordinary, it demands extraordinarily strong evidence. - Carl Sagan
Two special good sites for reliable information about important topics:
The National Academies (independent organization of several hundred of the country's best scientists). Publishes understandable articles about topics of high public interest. http://www.nationalacademies.org/
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS: The worlds largest general scientific society, with many thousands of members). Also publishes the scientific consensus about topics important to the public. http://www.aaas.org/