sciencebased

Science-based is a hyphenated adjective used to describe claims, policies, products, or practices that are grounded in scientific evidence and the methods of science. It signals that the approach adheres to data, reproducible results, and critical evaluation, rather than anecdote, tradition, or ideology. The term is commonly written both as science-based and sciencebased.

It is used across domains such as public health, medicine, environmental policy, consumer products, and corporate governance. In public health and medicine, science-based guidelines and interventions rely on systemic reviews, clinical trials, and risk assessments. In climate and environmental work, science-based targets or standards are set to reconcile goals with what climate science shows is necessary to limit warming. In industry and regulation, claims labeled science-based may be regulated to prevent misleading marketing, and independent verification is common.

Related terms include evidence-based, which emphasizes the hierarchy of evidence and clinical effectiveness, and regulatory science, which focuses on translating science into policy. Critics note that the term can be vague or abused if the underlying evidence is incomplete, selective, or misinterpreted, and that consensus can shift with new research.

Overall, science-based approaches aim to align actions with current understanding of natural phenomena, but their application depends on transparent evidence, clear standards, and ongoing review.