Science over BroScience

When someone tells you something about how much protein to consume or what supplements work, say, "that's interesting, where did you find that out?"

Often it won't have a reliable source, sometimes it won't even be a valid source. A statements from a post on Facebook, a website or Youtube video aren't necessarily true.

Anyone can create a website or Facebook page and once created the owner can write anything they like, it doesn't have to be true, they might think it's true but that doesn't mean it is. The same goes for a Youtube video. Just because the person saying something has good results, that doesn't mean they actually know what they are talking about. They could have achieve good results despite poor knowledge. To claim otherwise is an appeal to authority, a flawed argument.

Information should be factual.

To be a fact it must be proven to be true.

The proof comes from evidence.

A website, FB page or Youtube channel may be filled

with facts and often they show the evidence to

prove it. Citing reliable valid sources is the way to

distinguish between Science and BroScience.

Published, peer reviewed journal articles are a good sign. Being peer reviewed and published reduces the risk of dodgy data or biased research as it will be checked and the journal that publishes the article won't want to tarnish their reputation by publishing false data.

Of course they are not perfect as it's possible to cherry pick the odd article. It's also possible to claim a study supports a claim when in reality it's not valid. For example, a study on Testosterone Boosters could conduct a study showing large increases in testosterone. Therefore backing the statement they will greatly increase muscle mass. However, upon further reading into the study

you could find the participants were old and sick,

therefore the data isn't valid to the average young

fit and healthy gym go-er.

A step up from the odd journal article is several journal articles. It's much harder to cherry pick a branch than a cherry. Better still however would be a meta-analysis, where academics take a look at all the recent and relevant data they can find. They will pick apart the biases and draw a conclusion based on all the studies.

Arguably a step above the rest would be a report, statement or position of a recognised, relevant and reliable source. For example, if you're looking at health, look at what the World Health Organisation (WHO) has to say. Organisations will ensure to look at the data and even conduct their own in order to find factual information.

BroScience and Pseudoscience can affect peoples results and even be dangerous. Causing people to over-train, under-train wastes peoples time and could lead to injuries. Putting people off life saving medication or encouraging dangerous lifestyles also finds it's way in from time to time. Keep it real. Keep it Science based.

When conducting research of your own...

Go to:

Academic Books

Published, peer-reviewed journal articles

Government websites

Recognised reliable organisations

Avoid:

Companies which may have a vested interest

Websites / organisations with a political bias

Anything which doesn't cite any sources