The Search for Negative Evidence
Nickell, Joe; McGaha, James http://www.csicop.org/si/show/the_search_for_negative_evidence
Publisher: Skeptical Inquirer
Date Written: 01/11/2015
Year Published: 2015
Resource Type: Article
Everyone loves a mystery. Solve one in science, and accolades are forthcoming. Not so, however, in the realm of the paranormal, where evidence, logic, and theories are often stood on their heads. Whereas forensic scientists, say, begin with the evidence and let it lead to the most likely solution to a mystery, "parascientists" typically begin with the desired answer and work backward to the evidence, employing confirmation bias: They look for that which seems to confirm their prior-held belief and seek to discredit whatever -- or whoever -- would argue against it.
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