chapter 1: scientific thinking

Question 1

steps of the scientific method

Answer 1

identify a problem, develop a research plan, conduct the study, analyze and evaluate the data, communicate the results, and generate more new ideas

Question 2

research hypothesis

Answer 2

specific, testable claim or prediction about what one can expect to observe given a set of circumstances

Question 3

tenacity

Answer 3

belief that exists because it has always been accepted

ex// habit, superstition

disadvantage = knowledge can be inaccurate

Question 4

intuition

Answer 4

Based largely on an individual’s hunch or feeling that something is correct

Disadvantage = no definitive basis for the belief

Value in science = used when developing a research hypothesis, but must be tested using the scientific method

Question 5

authority

Answer 5

Method of knowing accepted as fact because it was stated by an expert or respected source

ex// the FDA often creates regulations that most Americans will trust without questioning

Disadvantage = knowledge accepted without question

Value in science = many scientists will selectively submit their research for publication in only the most authoritative journals

Question 6

rationalism

Answer 6

aka logic/reasoning

Disadvantage = often leads to erroneous conclusions

Value in science = researchers can use rationalism to develop research hypotheses, then subject their hypothesis to the rigor of the scientific meth

Question 7

empiricism

Answer 7

Seeing is believing, based on one’s experiences and observations

Disadvantage = prone to bias because not everyone experiences the world in the same way

To correct for empiricism = operationally define variables

Question 8

types of research

Answer 8

basic, translational, applied, quanitative, qualitative

Question 9

basic research

Answer 9

“how does this work?”

builds upon existing theory, focuses on theoretical issues, fundamental

Question 10

translational research

Answer 10

“let’s turn this into something useful”

bridge between basic and applied research = taking knowledge gained from basic research and translating it into something that could be used in a lab setting

Question 11

applied research

Answer 11

“is this actually useful?”

practical problems, finding solutions, practical implications