Hi Molly -
I'd contact the Union of Concerned Scientists - that's one of their key
missions, to take on "junk science" including re: the environment. This was
their cover article this last issue. (I don't think they're on the
newstand.)
Union of Concerned Scientists. Howard Ris, Exec. Director. 2 Brattle
Square, Cambridge, MA 02238-9105. 617-547-5552. F617-864-9405.
http://www.ucsusa.org. Fightg junk sci, bogus research, promotg safe ag
practices, eliminatg pollution. email: usc@ucsusa.org
You might also want to contact FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) -
they've done some good work bringing facts into inaccurate discussions -
ex. their book "The Way Things Aren't: Rush Limbaugh's Reign of Error" (a
takeoff of Limbaugh's book title "The Way Things Ought to Be"). This book
started life as handouts that were so popular they made them into a book.
It goes through 100 of Limbaugh's supposed-facts - ex. re: number of trees
on North American continent and issues of global warming - and gives the
actual facts. This is an important work because Limbaugh spins past this
supposed facts very fast on the way to conclusions that leave many,
including me, going "huh?" and I found it very important/valuable/powerful
to have someone disassemble some of the highly faulty basis of his
arguments. You might look at this book, see what else FAIR has that might
meet your needs, and also ask if they have any referrals. I know they have
a magazine, newsletter, radio show, etc.
FAIR, 130 W. 25th Street, New York, NY 10001 (212) 633-6700
Hope these leads help. Glad you're taking this on!
P. Dines
-- FORWARD ---
From: Molly Anderson, INTERNET:manderso@emerald.tufts.edu
To: san <sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu>
cc: SAED-SHARE-L@cornell.edu
Date: Tue, Jan 7, 1997, 10:44 AM
Subject: Junk science?
Do any of you have a reference or two with guidelines for recognizing
"junk science", or a comparison of "junk science" to "the other kind(s?)
of science"? I am looking for references which might be useful to help
students interpret and critically analyze scientific and pseudo-scientific
studies, especially those dealing with environmental, public health, and
agricultural problems. I'm not getting much from my library references
and Internet searches. Thanks!
Molly D. Anderson
School of Nutrition Science & Policy
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155-7028
617/628-5000 X2442 (ph)
617/627-3887 (fax)