When is evidence considered scientific?

 Evidence is considered scientific when it meets certain criteria that are fundamental to the scientific method. Let's explore these criteria:

1. Empirical: Scientific evidence must be based on observation and measurement. It should be derived from experiments or observations that are repeatable and verifiable by other researchers.

2. Systematic: The collection of evidence must follow a systematic method or protocol. This means that the process of obtaining evidence is structured, controlled, and consistent with established scientific practices.

3. Reproducible: Other scientists should be able to replicate the conditions under which the evidence was collected and get similar results. Reproducibility ensures the evidence withstands scrutiny and helps confirm that findings aren't a result of chance or experimental error.

4. Objective: Scientific evidence should be free from biases or subjective interpretations. The procedures and analyses used to collect and interpret the data should be clear and free from personal or cultural biases.

5. Public: For evidence to be scientific, it needs to be open for examination and critique by the scientific community. This often involves publishing the evidence along with the methodologies and results in peer-reviewed journals.

6. Peer-reviewed: Before it is widely accepted, scientific evidence usually undergoes peer review, a process in which other experts in the field evaluate the validity of the evidence and its interpretations.

7. Falsifiable: Scientific evidence should support theories that are falsifiable, meaning they can be tested and potentially disproven. This is a key feature of scientific theories, as proposed by philosopher Karl Popper.

When evidence aligns with these conditions, it is typically seen as scientific, lending credibility to the conclusions drawn from it.