Science and the ske?tic : discerning fact from fiction / Marc Zimmer.

Title :

Science and the ske?tic : discerning fact from fiction

Author:

Format:

Books

Summary:

"Covering how science is done, why some people want to trick others, and why false information can be dangerous, this book empowers readers to know which sources to trust and which to dismiss as deceit"--

Fake news, pseudoscience, and quackery have become scourges, spreading through society from social media all the way to Congress. The line between entertainment and reality, between fact and fiction, has become blurred. Some of the most crucial issues of our time--climate change, vaccines, and genetically modified organisms--have become prime targets for nefarious disinformation campaigns. Far too many people have become distrustful of real science. Even those who still trust science no longer know what to believe or how to identify the truth. Not only does this result in the devaluation and distrust of real science, but it is also dangerous: people acting based on false information can hurt themselves or those around them. We must equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to fight back against all this disinformation. InScience and the Skeptic: Discerning Fact from Fiction, you will learn how science is done, from the basic scientific method to the vetting process that scientific papers must go through to become published; how and why some people intentionally or unintentionally spread misinformation; and the dangers in believing and spreading false information. You'll also find twenty easy-to-follow rules for distinguishing fake science from the real deal. Armed with this book, empower yourself with knowledge, learning what information to trust and what to dismiss as deceit.

The line between entertainment and reality, between fact and fiction, has become blurred. Disinformation campaigns have made people become distrustful of real science. Zimmer explains how science is done, why some people want to trick others, and why false information can be dangerous. He includes rules for distinguishing fake science from the real deal. -- adapted from jacket

Language:

English

Audience:

Ages 13-18 Twenty-First Century Books.

ISBN - ISSN:

9781728419459

172841945X

Physical Description:

120 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), color map ; 24 cm

General Note:

The symbol of ? (question mark) appears as the letter 'p' in "skeptic" of title on title page.

Contents:

What is science? -- Fake science -- This is science, not politics -- Quackery -- The twenty rules.

Subject:

Science -- Juvenile literature.

Pseudoscience -- Juvenile literature.

Fraud in science -- Juvenile literature.

Science.

Pseudoscience.

Fraud in science.

Young adult literature.

Instructional and educational works.

Juvenile works.

First Title value, for Searching:

Science and the ske?tic : discerning fact from fiction / Marc Zimmer.

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Library	Audience	Home Location	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Central	Teen/Young Adult	Non-fiction	Teen Book	500 Z72	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

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Summary

Fake news, pseudoscience, and quackery have become scourges, spreading through society from social media all the way to Congress.

The line between entertainment and reality, between fact and fiction, has become blurred. Some of the most crucial issues of our time--climate change, vaccines, and genetically modified organisms--have become prime targets for nefarious disinformation campaigns. Far too many people have become distrustful of real science. Even those who still trust science no longer know what to believe or how to identify the truth. Not only does this result in the devaluation and distrust of real science, but it is also dangerous: people acting based on false information can hurt themselves or those around them.

We must equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to fight back against all this disinformation. InScience and the Skeptic: Discerning Fact from Fiction, you will learn how science is done, from the basic scientific method to the vetting process that scientific papers must go through to become published; how and why some people intentionally or unintentionally spread misinformation; and the dangers in believing and spreading false information. You''ll also find twenty easy-to-follow rules for distinguishing fake science from the real deal. Armed with this book, empower yourself with knowledge, learning what information to trust and what to dismiss as deceit.

"We''re not just fighting an epidemic; we''re fighting an infodemic. . . . This is a time for facts, not fear. This is a time for rationality, not rumors. This is a time for solidarity, not stigma."--Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO

"Our deepest beliefs should help navigate reality, not determine it."--Michael Gersen, The Washington Post

"Journalism is very much about trying to simplify and distribute information about what''s new and where advances have been made. That''s incompatible with the scientific process, which can take a long time to build a body of evidence."--Kelly McBride, Poynter Institute

that scientific papers must go through to become published; how and why some people intentionally or unintentionally spread misinformation; and the dangers in believing and spreading false information. You''ll also find twenty easy-to-follow rules for distinguishing fake science from the real deal. Armed with this book, empower yourself with knowledge, learning what information to trust and what to dismiss as deceit.

"Our deepest beliefs should help navigate reality, not determine it."--Michael Gersen, The Washington Post

body of evidence."--Kelly McBride, Poynter Institutethat scientific papers must go through to become published; how and why some people intentionally or unintentionally spread misinformation; and the dangers in believing and spreading false information. You''ll also find twenty easy-to-follow rules for distinguishing fake science from the real deal. Armed with this book, empower yourself with knowledge, learning what information to trust and what to dismiss as deceit.

"Our deepest beliefs should help navigate reality, not determine it."--Michael Gersen, The Washington Post

body of evidence."--Kelly McBride, Poynter Institutebody of evidence."--Kelly McBride, Poynter Institutethat scientific papers must go through to become published; how and why some people intentionally or unintentionally spread misinformation; and the dangers in believing and spreading false information. You''ll also find twenty easy-to-follow rules for distinguishing fake science from the real deal. Armed with this book, empower yourself with knowledge, learning what information to trust and what to dismiss as deceit.

"Our deepest beliefs should help navigate reality, not determine it."--Michael Gersen, The Washington Post

body of evidence."--Kelly McBride, Poynter Institutescientific process, which can take a long time to build a body of evidence."--Kelly McBride, Poynter Institutebody of evidence."--Kelly McBride, Poynter Institute

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up--With the goal of teaching readers "how to distinguish fake science from the real deal," chemistry professor Zimmer breaks down the scientific method, politically motivated disputes over and disavowals of scientific topics, and quackery--providing 20 succinct and easy-to-understand rules for telling the differences between legitimate scientific discoveries and hoaxes. These rules are presented as they come up in each of the first four chapters, while the final chapter is devoted to reiterating the what and the why of each rule in order. Interwoven in the book's fast-paced and accessible narrative are special highlighted sections on timely scientific controversies, including COVID, climate change, anti-vax protesters, and GMO foods. Color illustrations are numerous, appropriately sized, and clearly captioned. The book concludes with a glossary of key terms; detailed source notes; a selected bibliography; a list of books, fact-checking websites, and online science news sources for even further inquiry; and an index. VERDICT This slim but rich book on approaching science news with healthy skepticism would be an excellent and welcome addition to junior high or high school nonfiction collections.--Kelly Kingrey-Edwards

Kirkus Review

A primer on the practice and evaluation of science for teen readers. Using summaries of scientific discoveries to form a narrative, straightforward text describes the tenets of science and the ways in which they are challenged in current public discourse. Included is information on the process of peer review, the rise of internet disinformation, common cognitive biases, the politicization of established facts, and the techniques of scam artists. A final chapter sums up 20 rules to help readers distinguish legitimate research from spurious claims. Perhaps most useful for anyone in today's information economy is the following advice: "Beware if a piece of news or a social media post stirs up intense feelings, especially outrage. It was most likely designed to short-circuit your critical-thinking skills by playing on your emotions." Valuable too is the identification of clickbait and the guidance on reading peer-reviewed scientific articles. The no-nonsense narration is effective and illuminating, particularly the analogy comparing the mystery of nature to a jigsaw puzzle without a box: "scientists need to find the pieces and put them in the correct place." The context offered here should allow budding scholars to do just that. Timely, practical, and all too important. (glossary, source notes, bibliography, further reading, index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

This young adult version of author Zimmer's adult title The State of Science (2020) does a thorough and extremely effective job of explaining the difference between scientific fact and fiction. Accessible language and relatable examples drawn from both history and recent headlines help readers understand the crucial need for accuracy and cross-checking. Zimmer ranges far beyond science, considering the nature and dissemination of information, the influence of social media platforms, accidental and purposeful misinformation campaigns, how facts become politicized, the surprising persuasiveness of quacks, charlatans, and humbugs, and how data and investigative results can be manipulated, by whom, and why. Zimmer offers 20 rules to guide scientific reality checks, from the need for peer review and publication authority to watching for grammar and spelling errors to eschewing political claims and celebrity endorsements to recognizing fake news generated by talk show hosts. Teens will recognize the names, commercials, and events cited as examples and relate to the confusion and uncertainties caused by rogue reports. Back matter includes chapter notes, a glossary, bibliography, and suggestions for further reading, and applications range from science and social studies classrooms to debate and persuasive speech assignments to library and information skills instruction. A very helpful guide for a very timely problem.

Chapter 1 What Is Science?	p. 4
Chapter 2 Fake Science	p. 26
Chapter 3 This Is Science, Not Politics	p. 43
Chapter 4 Quackery	p. 76
Chapter 5 The Twenty Rules	p. 101
Glossary	p. 107
Source Notes	p. 110
Selected Bibliography	p. 115
Further Information	p. 116
Index	p. 118

Available:*

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Summary

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Kirkus Review

Booklist Review

Table of Contents