A Framework for Understanding and Resolving the Pseudoscience Crisis

In this study, we focus on pseudoscience, a practice through which scholars falsely claim that their findings are factual and novel. Pseudoscience is often practiced in two ways. First, scholars give new names to old theories—no new knowledge is created except new labels that become buzzwords. Second, scholars posit theories that lack scientific evidence and are based on false data. Despite these major faults, the authors' marketing abilities and influence help their work gain widespread attention. This popularity has misguided new researchers and policymakers and broken the trust of the common public in science. To help prevent the spread of pseudoscience, we recommend three practices (3Cs) for academics—careful reading of published studies, clarifying disagreements and the chaotic process of research, and covering new philosophical assumptions instead of calling it new.

A recording of the presentation is available at the related link above