Criteria (Choose left hand side if science. Choose the right hand science if voodoo science.
(a) self-correcting, or not.
(b) theory resists change, or changes.
(c) produces fruitful spin-off investigations, or doesn’t.
(d) explains its observations; uses ad hoc explanation.
(e) is consistent with other fields, or is anomalous.
(f) uses operational definitions, or does not.
A number of tribes in the Amazon basin believe that there are invisible animals in some sources of water that cause disease. Thus, they have a taboo against drinking water unless it has been boiled for at least 20 minutes before drinking it. Water borne diseases have decreased, and in some areas, have been eliminated, since adopting this practice.