Student Backgrounder: Criteria for Determining What Is and Is Not Science Criteria exist that can help in differentiating what is and is not science. The acronym “NOTTUS” can be used as a memory hook for these six criteria: Natural, Observable, Testable, Tentative, Uncertain, and Social.

The first of these, Natural, refers to the fact that science seeks to explain the natural phenomena found in the universe in which we live.

These natural phenomena or events must also be Observable through basic human senses or through tools that enhance human senses such as a radar, thermometers, microscopes, or instruments and cameras on satellites.

These Natural and Observable phenomena must also be Testable. We can make predictions about how they will behave, change, or react and then test these predictions through scientific processes. Results in science must be consistent. Scientific findings or conclusions, however, are always Tentative and Temporary. They are subject to revisions and corrections whenever evidence can prove them wrong. When a natural phenomena has been tested and reaffirmed repeatedly over an extensive period of time, those phenomena are called scientific theories. However, scientific theories, are also considered tentative, although unlikely to be proven wrong.

Science is also Uncertain. 99 percent certainty is still 1 percent uncertain. 100 percent certainty is not attainable with scientific ways of knowing; not even those scientific phenomena we're really certain about. Weather forecasts are a good example. They rarely are 100 percent certain. Like weather forecasts, the science of forecasting is reliable but the forecasts always have a degree of uncertainty – sometimes more, sometimes less.

And finally, science is Social. It requires collaboration with other scientists, communication of results with one's peers, and presenting findings in journals, presentations, and scientific conferences. It is always a social endeavor involving the scientific community.

If It’s Not Science, What Is It?

Protoscience: Protoscience is science that is emerging or near science in terms of conforming to “NOTTUS”, however, it falls short in one or more of the criteria. A protoscience differs from a science in that consistent observation and prediction may be limited by knowledge and/or technology. For example, mental telepathy (thought transmission directly from one brain to another), might be worthy of scientific consideration. Another example is research looking for connections between patterns of electricity in our atmosphere and Earth's climate system. Both of these examples could be considered “protoscience.”

Pseudoscience: Pseudoscience is false science that may be portrayed and advertised as a legitimate science by its followers and supporters. Good examples of a pseudoscience include astrology, some weight loss pills or diets, and nonscientific means for determining the age of the Earth.

Nonscience: Non-science events or phenomena simply do not meet the NOTTUS criteria, and therefore, fall outside the realm of science. They would include any belief system, e.g., religious beliefs, philosophy, personal opinions or attitudes, a sense of esthetics, or ethics. Non-science events or phenomena can be very logical and even true, however, they are simply unobservable, untestable, unpredictable, inconsistent, or often fall outside of the natural world.

Is it Science? Adapted from its original version by Iowa State Educators by Teri Eastburn

Copyright 2015. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research SciEd.ucar.edu

The prefix "pseudo" mean "false" and "proto" means "before."

Is It Science? (NOTTUS) Adapted from Iowa Science Educators by Teri Eastburn

Criteria Within the Realm of Science Outside the Realm of Science

Natural A naturally occurring cause or mechanism is used to explain how or why an event or phenomenon happens (i.e. uneven heating of Earth's surface causes temperature differences.)

A natural cause or mechanism cannot be, or is not used to explain how or why an event or phenomenon happens.

Observable

A phenomenon, event, or evidence that can be observed by the human senses or with a tool that makes observation possible, i.e. a thermometer.

The phenomenon, event, or evidence that cannot be observed by the human senses or their extension/tools.

Testable

Experiments can be designed to test the natural cause of the phenomenon/ event. Science can be verified or falsified. When tests are repeated with consistent and predictable results, verification grows.

Experiments cannot be designed to test the natural cause of the phenomenon or event. They cannot be verified.

Tentative Explanations of the phenomenon/event or its cause/behavior are subject to change as new evidence emerges.

Explanations of the cause of the event or phenomenon in question are not subject to change.

Uncertain Uncertainty is the norm in science with findings often yielding a percentage of certainty, i.e. the chance of rain is 80 percent.

100 percent certainty is the norm.

Social Collaboration, argumentation, sharing, replication, and peer review are necessary parts of the science process.

Individual endeavors are fine and no verification of any kind from others is needed.

Is It Science? Adapted by T. Eastburn from its original version by Iowa State Educators Copyright 2015. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

SciEd.ucar.edu

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