The Debunking Handbook

Mick West

Administrator
Staff member
This is a short (six pages of content) handbook that discusses the problems that can arise when debunking, and tips on how to debunk more effectively.

http://www.skepticalscience.com/docs/Debunking_Handbook.pdf

It gives a very useful three-step approach:

Debunking myths is problematic. Unless great care is taken, any effort to debunk misinformation can inadvertently reinforce the very myths one seeks to correct. To avoid these “backfire effects”, an effective debunking requires three major elements.

First, the refutation must focus on core facts rather than the myth to avoid the misinformation becoming more familiar.

Second, any mention of a myth should be preceded by explicit warnings to notify the reader that the upcoming information is false.

Finally, the refutation should include an alternative explanation that accounts for important qualities in the original misinformation.
 
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