Assessing contemporary science

Introduction

Considered analysis is at the heart of good science. This free course, Assessing contemporary science, will introduce you to the assessment of reports on contemporary areas in science, allowing you to examine the scientific information that is available to members of the public in a range of forms. Additionally, you will explore the ways in which scientific knowledge develops and undergoes peer review, and learn how to apply key methods of critiquing and evaluating information. There will be a variety of activities throughout the course for practising these skills – as well as some optional activities that delve slightly deeper, or explore side topics. You are not required to complete these optional activities unless they particularly interest you.

This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course S350 Evaluating contemporary science [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] . It was produced for OpenLearn by Richard Holliman (Sections 1–5), Phil Wheeler (Section 6) and Simon Collinson (Sections 7–9).