general to take them seriously?
2006-07-13 08:16:36 · 7 answers · asked by Mr. Mojo Rising 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Investigating anything is a valid field of study as long as the investigator applies a rigorous scientific method.
However, areas like cryptozoology, parapsychology and alternative medicine are on the scientific fringe due to a massive lack of peer-reviewed positive evidence that the phenomena or things they study actually occur. They are also perceived to be full of practitioners whose respect for the scientific method is perfunctory to say the least.
In the absence of some reproducible positive results to follow up these subjects will not be taken seriously by the scientific community, even if some are taken seriously by significant sections of the public.
2006-07-13 08:42:29 · answer #1 · answered by the last ninja 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the field is legitimate, but just like any other field you'll find a lot of half-baked wackos. For every Ivory-billed woodpecker there are a thousand Sasquatches. It's harder to get real results in cryptozoology than in other, more traditional fields. But every real breakthrough is a major breakthrough. If a cryptozoologist were to find an animal, like the Shunka Warakin, that was previously thought extinct and we can begin a breeding program, or some alternative repopulation plan, the benefits would be unmeasurable.
All that's necessary for cryptozoologists to be taken seriously is to not make statements of fact without evidence. Just say "Hey, I've been hearing stories about people seeing Humanzees in this particular forest. It doesn't necessarily mean there's such a thing as a humanzee, but I'm going to go find out if there's anything to these stories.
2006-07-13 15:18:47 · answer #2 · answered by automaticmax 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be taken seriously in a field of things we don't know about, find one. For example, people would take Bigfoot/Yeti seriously if someone found one and had it taken to a hospital for inspection/examination. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll be considered on the fringe of the scientific community.
2006-07-13 15:20:05 · answer #3 · answered by biosafety_level_4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. You're looking for animals that may not exist. Better to be a museum curator and wait for someone to bring the evidence to you, and have something legitimate and useful to do while you're waiting.
2006-07-13 15:21:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a legitimate field, but it takes time for anything new to be accepted
2006-07-13 15:51:32 · answer #5 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ceolocanth!
2006-07-13 16:26:28 · answer #6 · answered by Sleeping Troll 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's really not. It's like being a ghost hunter.
2006-07-13 15:19:15 · answer #7 · answered by effin drunk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋