Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Prompt Injection | An attack in which hidden instructions in a document, web page or message cause an AI system to ignore its intended instructions. Artificial Intelligence |
| Proof | A scientific proof generally refers to a high-level accumulation of evidence, experiments, and observations supporting a theory. It does not signify absolute 100% certainty. Antiscience |
| Proportionality Bias | The cognitive tendency to assume that major, impactful events must have equally major or complex causes. Also known as the "major event/major cause heuristic," it stems from our psychological discomfort with mundane or accidental explanations for catastrophic, world-changing events. Antiscience |
| Protein | Proteins are fundamental components of all living cells. Proteins are made up of one or more chains of amino acids, which are folded into a specific three-dimensional shape. They exhibit an enormous amount of chemical and structural diversity, enabling them to carry out an extraordinarily diverse range of biological functions. Proteins help us digest our food, fight infections, control body chemistry and in general, keep our bodies functioning smoothly. Genetics |
| Proxy | Something that represents something else. A proxy data source is an indirect source of data that scientists use when direct measurements are not available. For example, annual tree rings are a proxy for precipitation data. Science General |
| Pseudoscience | Practices or beliefs that claim to be scientific but do not follow the scientific method, often characterized by unproven, unfalsifiable, or exaggerated claims. Science General |
| Pseudoscientific Language | The use of scientific-sounding words, jargon, and technobable to make unproven or false claims appear legitimate. Antiscience |
| Pseudosymmetry | One of three cognitive and media biases (leveling, pseudosymmetry, sharpening) eevaluated together in psychology and science literacy. (also known as "false balance") occurs when the media attempts to present two opposing viewpoints as equally valid or equally supported by evidence, even when they are not. Science Misinformation |
| Publication Bias | Publication bias is the tendency for research studies to be published or hidden based on the strength and direction of their results. This includes Positive-Results Bias, journals and researchers prefer studies with statistically significant findings, Negative Studies, studies showing no effect or negative results often go unpublished, and the File-Drawer Effect, unpublished studies are hidden away in researchers' file drawers, skewing the overall scientific record. Public Trust |
| Qualitative Data | Descriptive, categorical information (e.g., color, behavior, texture). Science General |