Lies, damned lies, and science : how to sort through the noise around global warming, the latest health claims, and other scientific controversies / Sherry Seethaler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Seethaler, Sherry, 1970-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Communication in science.

Information resources--Reviews.

Information resources.

Global warming.

Genre:

Reviews.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 198 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Upper Saddle River, N.J. : FT Press, [2009]

Summary:

Every day, there's a new scientific or health controversy. And every day, it seems as if there's a new study that contradicts what you heard yesterday. What's really going on? Who's telling the truth? Who's faking it? What do scientists actually know-and what don't they know? This book will help you cut through the confusion and make sense of it all-even if you've never taken a science class!

Leading science educator and journalist Dr. Sherry Seethaler reveals how science and health research really work...how to put scientific claims in context and understand the real tradeoffs involved...tell quality research from junk science...discover when someone's deliberately trying to fool you...and find more information you can trust!

Nobody knows what new controversy will erupt tomorrow. But one thing's for certain: With this book, you'll know how to figure out the real deal-and make smarter decisions for yourself and your family!

Contents:

Chapter 1 Potions, Plot, Personalities: Understand How Science Progresses and Why Scientists Sometimes Disagree 1

Chapter 2 Who's Who?: Identify Those Who Hold Stake in an Issue and What Their Positions Are 29

Chapter 3 Decisions, Decisions: Elucidate All the Pros and Cons of a Decision 43

Chapter 4 Compare and Contrast: Place Alternatives in an Appropriate Context to Evaluate Tradeoffs 59

Chapter 5 What Happens If...?: Distinguish Between Cause and Coincidence 73

Chapter 6 Specific or General: Recognize How Broadly the Conclusions from a Study May Be Applied 89

Chapter 7 Fun Figures: See Through the Number Jumble 99

Chapter 8 Society's Say: Discern the Relationships Between Science and Policy 113

Chapter 9 All the Tricks in the Book: Get Past the Ploys Designed to Simply Bypass Logic 139

Chapter 10 Fitting The Pieces Together: Know How to Seek Information to Gain a Balanced Perspective 161

Conclusions: Twenty Essential Applications of the Tools 177.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780137155224

0137155220

OCLC:

234444690