Alternatescience

Alternatescience is a broad term used to describe research, methods, and communities that pursue scientific inquiry outside or alongside mainstream institutions and paradigms. It encompasses proposals and practices that scientists, journalists, or participants believe address questions neglected or inadequately explored by conventional science. The term is not tied to a single discipline and is used variably to describe both legitimate exploratory projects and fringe or controversial claims.

Its methods range from citizen science projects and open-source collaboration to independent laboratories and interdisciplinary ventures that blend traditional science with unconventional frameworks. Proponents argue that alternatescience fosters creativity, accelerates innovation, and reduces gatekeeping by enabling broader participation. Critics caution that it can blur lines between innovation and pseudoscience, with risks of non-reproducible results, lack of peer review, selective reporting, and potential harm if applied to health or safety.

Evaluation and standards: While some alternatescience initiatives adopt transparent data practices and preregistration, overall quality control varies; reproducibility and independent replication are frequently cited as key challenges. In many contexts, mainstream researchers scrutinize claims using established criteria, including empirical evidence, methodology, and ethical review.

See also pseudoscience, fringe science, alternative medicine, citizen science, and open science.