In the study of consciousness, neuroscience observes mental phenomena through physical correlations, using techniques such as fMRI, PET and EEG. These are considered valid and reproductible, and can be used to validate theories about the brain.
Easterns also study consciousness but through a phenomenological method, the meditation, observing mental phenomena directly in first person, and producing many theories as well.
Modern science critics point out that meditation also is a valid instrument to falsify theories about consciousness such as a microscope is valid to falsify a theory about a cell. Is it a valid claim?