The Full Moon & Lunar Effects?
 

Science is what we have learned about how not to fool ourselves about the way the world is. - Richard Feynman

 Next week, you hopefully will have the chance to explain to friends or family far away why everyone on Earth sees the same phase moon in their local sky.  In this homework you'll explore questions about the moon, and in particular, explore the process of good science. 

Opinion & Analysis Post: Do Full Moons really affect people on Earth?

a) First, please share your opinion on the question about whether full moons affect people on Earth.  Do you think that when the moon is full, people act differently?  Why?  What evidence to you draw upon for this opinion?  Have you personally seen or experienced strange behavior that occurs each full moon?  Have you heard others talk about it? 

b) Second, please read both

Townley, J. (1997) Can the Full Moon Affect Human Behavior? Innerself Publications. http://www.innerself.com/Astrology/full_moon.htm . Accessed 1/11/10.

and then read

Carroll, R. (2006) Full Moon & Lunar Effects. The Skeptic's Dictionary. http://www.skepdic.com/fullmoon.html. Accessed 1/11/10.
 

c) What do you think after reading both sources?  Which author do you think is being "scientific", and why?  How can you evaluate whether that article is indeed "scientific"?  What qualities do you think make an article scientific?  Aim for another 1-2 paragraphs here (about 250 words).   And as usual, please include a work cited list that includes both of the above articles, as well as any others you might use.

If you are interested, here are some additional references on the question:

Extra Credit

For extra credit, please locate another article on the subject, and evaluate it as to its scientific credibility as best you can.  Be sure to include all proper citation information, including author, date, title, publishing institution, and URL if found online. Look at Chabot College's website on citing online resources, available at: http://www.chabotcollege.edu/Library/onlineref/Citing_Online_Resources.htm

Post your article within Blackboard, with a subject line of Lunar Effects Homework Extra Credit.  Remember extra credit can be turned in anytime up to the end of the term.