protoscience
Science before validation
Protoscience is a field of study that uses scientific methods but hasn't yet established itself as a fully recognized science.
Unlike pseudoscience, which contradicts scientific principles, protoscience represents early or emerging inquiry that may eventually gain acceptance: Alchemy was a protoscience that contributed to modern chemistry.
The term acknowledges that legitimate sciences often have humble, speculative beginnings.
Mystical metal transformation
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- geomancyDivination from ground markings
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
chiromancy · natural philosophy · vitalism · herbalism · folk medicine · spontaneous generation · physiognomy · mesmerism
Testable proposed explanation
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- anecdotal evidenceSupport from individual accounts
induction · qualitative · unsystematic · intuitive · trial-and-error · naturalistic · uncontrolled · correlation
Beginning to develop
- incipientStarting to develop
- embryonicAt earliest developmental stage
- formativeInfluencing development or growth
- rudimentaryIn simplest possible form
precursor · antecedent · groundwork · foundational · preliminary · inchoate · preparatory · genesis
Study of extrasensory phenomena
- ufologyInvestigating unexplained aircraft reports
- cryptozoologyPursuit of unproven creatures
- pyramidologyPseudoscientific study of Giza
- dowsingLocating hidden water underground
homeopathy · cold fusion · intelligent design · ancient astronauts · biorhythms · reflexology
Wholesale replacement of frameworks
- legitimizationFormal recognition as valid
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
- peer reviewExpert evaluation before publication
alchemy
Mystical metal transformation
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- geomancyDivination from ground markings
numerology · chiromancy · natural philosophy · vitalism · herbalism · folk medicine · spontaneous generation · physiognomy · mesmerism · animal magnetism
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- observationAttentive watching or remark
anecdotal evidence · induction · qualitative · unsystematic · intuitive · trial-and-error · naturalistic · uncontrolled · correlation · causation
nascent
Beginning to develop
- incipientStarting to develop
- embryonicAt earliest developmental stage
- formativeInfluencing development or growth
rudimentary · precursor · antecedent · groundwork · foundational · preliminary · inchoate · preparatory · genesis · emergence
parapsychology
Study of extrasensory phenomena
- ufologyInvestigating unexplained aircraft reports
- cryptozoologyPursuit of unproven creatures
- pyramidologyPseudoscientific study of Giza
dowsing · homeopathy · cold fusion · intelligent design · ancient astronauts · biorhythms · reflexology
paradigm shift
Wholesale replacement of frameworks
- legitimizationFormal recognition as valid
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
peer review · replication · standardization · demarcation · validation
protosciencehard science
Empirically rigorous research field
exact science · applied science · physics · big science · chemistry
protosciencepseudoscience
Bogus methodology posing as factual
junk science · quackery · superstition · charlatanism · dogma
proto, science, scientific, scientist, scientism, sciences, scientifically, unscientific, pseudoscience