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WorksheetsDetecting Fake Science News
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
Even university professors need to watch out for fake science news
True
False
Which ONE of these statements about peer review is INCORRECT?
It is a rigorous process where scientists check the work of other scientists
It is a quick process so papers can be published in a few weeks
In general, you can trust the science in peer reviewed journals
Almost 2 million peer reviewed articles are published every year
Preprint servers e.g. RXiv may have good quality articles which haven't yet been peer reviewed
True
False
Which ONE of these statements about predatory journals is INCORRECT?
Predatory journals have articles about predators e.g. lions and tigers
Predatory journals often look very similar to peer reviewed journals
Authors pay to be published in predatory journals
You shouldn't trust information published in predatory journals
Confirmation bias means that we are likely to believe news which fits with our existing views.
True
False
People who drink red wine often live longer. Therefore, drinking red wine causes longer life.
What type of error is this?
Salience bias
Confirmation bias
Availability bias
Confusing correlation with causation
What are placebo-controlled trials?
Trials with a large number of participants
Drug trials on rats and mice
Trials comparing the effects of real and fake drugs
Double-blind trials which remove bias
There are always two equal sides in scientific debates
True
False
Often, science news stories on the TV and in general media should be classified as...
Education
Entertainment
If you see a science story in the news but you're not sure whether it is true, you should...
Check the researcher's findings in a peer reviewed journal
Ask your friends if you should believe it
Look to see if has been reported on other websites
Ignore your scepticism and tell all your friends and family about the amazing new discoveries
