Cellphone radiation is harmful
You need verifiable evidence
The evidence is unscientific
- Incomprehensible cause
- Incomprehensible measurements
- Customer experiences present some evidence, but this is insufficient
- Assuming they are not fake
- Does it work for everyone?
How can we reach an agreement?
- We need an objective test
- Scientist look and see
- Propose a verifiable hypotheses based on
Theory = system of definitions and assumptions, designed to explain existing observations
and make predictions about new observations.
Three specific lessons about scientific research:
1. The value of skepticism. People are fascinated by extraordinary claims and often act
as though they want to believe them.
2. The value of careful observation under controlled conditions. Careful observation
under controlled conditions is a hallmark of the scientific method.
3. The problem of observer-expectancy effects. Science is carried out by people who
come to their research with certain expectations.
Operational definitions
- Define how to measure insomnia
- Define how to use Life Maxx’s radiation blocker
Experimental design
Independent variable – variable that a scientist is going to variable / manipulate
Dependent variable – depends on the independent variable (measured)
Aim of an experiment: learn whether and how the dependent variable is affected by the
independent variable.
Within-subject: Each subject is tested in each of the different conditions of the variable.
Between-groups: Separate group of subjects for each different condition of the independent
variable.
E.g. prediction: insomnia reduces if people use Life Maxx’s radiation blocker for two weeks
- Independent: Radiation blocker
- Dependent: duration of insomnia
Take a representative sample of people suffering from insomnia – people need to differ
within the control group, otherwise you can’t make a general conclusion
You should use a control group → independent variable changes into use/not to
use the radiation blocker. Assign the participants random to the different groups
(random assignment)
You need verifiable evidence
The evidence is unscientific
- Incomprehensible cause
- Incomprehensible measurements
- Customer experiences present some evidence, but this is insufficient
- Assuming they are not fake
- Does it work for everyone?
How can we reach an agreement?
- We need an objective test
- Scientist look and see
- Propose a verifiable hypotheses based on
Theory = system of definitions and assumptions, designed to explain existing observations
and make predictions about new observations.
Three specific lessons about scientific research:
1. The value of skepticism. People are fascinated by extraordinary claims and often act
as though they want to believe them.
2. The value of careful observation under controlled conditions. Careful observation
under controlled conditions is a hallmark of the scientific method.
3. The problem of observer-expectancy effects. Science is carried out by people who
come to their research with certain expectations.
Operational definitions
- Define how to measure insomnia
- Define how to use Life Maxx’s radiation blocker
Experimental design
Independent variable – variable that a scientist is going to variable / manipulate
Dependent variable – depends on the independent variable (measured)
Aim of an experiment: learn whether and how the dependent variable is affected by the
independent variable.
Within-subject: Each subject is tested in each of the different conditions of the variable.
Between-groups: Separate group of subjects for each different condition of the independent
variable.
E.g. prediction: insomnia reduces if people use Life Maxx’s radiation blocker for two weeks
- Independent: Radiation blocker
- Dependent: duration of insomnia
Take a representative sample of people suffering from insomnia – people need to differ
within the control group, otherwise you can’t make a general conclusion
You should use a control group → independent variable changes into use/not to
use the radiation blocker. Assign the participants random to the different groups
(random assignment)
