Hi Tweeters:

Just wanted to point out that during the *debate* of religion vs. science,
some posters seem to assume that science is fact or truth. Science is
neither because while researchers can make a case that conclusions (or
theories) are supported by observations, they can't *prove* their
conclusions.

Researchers use statistics when they argue a case. E.g., probability is
often set to p=.05 (called Alpha value). If a researcher can show his or her
conclusions meet or exceed Alpha (p<=.05), then conclusions are probably
supported by observations. In other words, there is a 95% or better chance
the researcher's conclusions are correct (or 5% or less chance of error).
While researchers might strive for absolute certainty, they can never
achieve it as there is no p=0. (And in my mind, p=0 is absolute proof.)

Mike

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Mike P. Gagel
Vancouver, BC
E-mail: mailto:hlthpro at home.com
Bird Links: http://members.home.net/hlthpro1/birding/