Proponents of ideas sometimes find, stake their careers on, and then cling to bogus evidence in support of their ideas, ignoring other, stronger, negating evidence. (think free schools, learning styles, neuroplasticity, and The Shallows.....).
Two essays by Peter Norvig: Evaluating Extraordinary Claims: Mind Over Matter? Or Mind Over Mind? and Warning Signs in Experimental Design and Interpretation are dryly written, entertaining, but at the same time very informative essays about research methods. The first essay illustrates the problem using an extended case study. The second provides a clear framework for judging experimental evidence more generally.
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