How to recognize the fakes in the news: a scientific approach

In his lecture at TEDx epidemiologist and researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Emma France offers to learn from scientists and use methods in search of truth, which they have used in studies.

1. Think skeptical

Science advances by questioning conventional wisdom. You can exercise a healthy skepticism, and do the same.

Seeing a regular news on the Internet, Emma advises to remind ourselves that the information is not necessarily true. It can also be a fake, or, as happens more often than somewhere between truth and false.

2. Learn more about the source

In the scientific world, scientists must declare potential conflicts of interest before the publication of their research results. Encountering any statement, you should always look for potential interest of its source.

France recommends asking to check the following questions:

1. Is it profitable to him that what he says?
2. whether the source is associated with organizations that could influence his opinion?
3. Do competent speaker is sufficient for comment?
4. Any statements he made in the past?

3. Beware of the halo effect

Halo effect - it cognitive biasThat makes us accept the judgment of people based on their impressions of them. We are willing to believe those whom feel sympathy, and, conversely, do not trust those who disliked us.

To avoid this, in the scientific community, so-called blind reading. The experts, who decide are worthy of this or that publication of the study, study materials, not knowing who is a colleague of the author.

This approach can be applied to your news feed. Emma Frans advises every time after reading the news to ask yourself the question: "How would I received this information after hearing it from someone else?"

4. Do not be biased

Tendency to validate his point of view - another feature of the behavior that affects the perception of information. Its essence is that we certainly believe the facts, which coincide with our beliefs and do not notice while the rest moments.

When collecting information for research scientists the data can not be ignored, which are contrary to their opinion. Some of the researchers, according to France, even in deliberately taking a team of employees with opposing views to test their own ideas and suggestions.

In ordinary life, when news feeds in social networks form friends and associates, a second opinion is valuable as ever. You do not necessarily agree with the views of opponents, but some variety in the diet information will only benefit.

5. Look for evidence

Assessing the viability of a new discovery or research scientists ask themselves: "Is it possible to trace the source? Are they reliable? Based on whether the conclusion of a rational assessment of information? ". In addition, they rely on other research in this area.

Emma gives the following example. If one study suggests that wine as beneficial to health as exercise, and 99 others suggest the opposite, that the new discovery is untenable.

So before you believe another stunning news and share it with your friends, look for the details on the internet. You'll probably find something else more interesting.

6. Distinguish between coincidence and cause-effect relationships

France has been researching ADHD, autism, and, according to her, in the last decades of suffering from these disorders, people have become much more. Among the possible reasons scientists consider vaccinations, Video games and junk food, but no evidence has not yet been found.

That is why, if two things happen at the same time, this does not mean that they are linked. Correlation and causation is not the same thing.

In ordinary life, it usually works just as well. For example, if the increase in the number of serious crimes associated with gang and decrease unemployment credited to some policy - look at the wider information and pay attention to other factors that may affect the this is.

If you are interested in the topic, more details can be found in the original video lectures TEDx Talks.