R. Barker Bausell Boeken

Hailed in the New York Times as "entertaining and immensely educational," Snake Oil Science is not only a brilliant critique of alternative medicine, but also a first-rate introduction to interpreting scientific research of any sort. The book's ultimate goal is to illustrate how the placebo effect conspires to make medical therapies appear to be effective. Bausell explains why research on any therapy that does not factor in the placebo effect (and other placebo-like effects) will inevitably produce false results.

The book explores the impact of educational research on public schools over the past century, posing a thought-provoking question about the potential consequences if such research had not taken place. It delves into the evolution of educational practices and policies, examining how research has shaped the educational landscape and influenced teaching methods, curriculum development, and student outcomes. Through this analysis, it provides insights into the critical role of research in the advancement of public education.

This book poses and answers two questions: (a) whether it is possible for the science of education to develop into a discipline that could constructively impact the education of students and, if so (b) what type of research would be required for this transformation.