Epistemology and Scientific Method

Question 1

Provide examples for several ways we accumulate knowledge and list strengths and weaknesses

Answer 1

Traditions/Customs - Groundhog Day
- not always accurate, passed down
Authority - teachers, professors
- could be teaching from own agenda,
Personal Experience - your own learning from experience
- only from your experience, know what works for you
Reasoning - come to conclusions based on knowledge,
- only from experience
Scientific Research

Question 2

Explain why using personal experience as a sole source of knowledge in the field of Kinesiology is problematic

Answer 2

Everyone is different (Different race, body type, past experiences), What works for one might not work for everyone

Question 3

Describe the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning

Answer 3

deductive - theory, hypothesis, test
inductive, take observations, check against hypothesis, refine theory

Question 4

Describe how deductive and inductive reasoning are integrated when using scientific method

Answer 4

Scientific method uses both to create hypothesis and check hypothesis to create theories.

Question 5

List steps in Scientific Method

Answer 5

1. Define and delimit the problem
2. Form a hypothesis
3. Develop a research plan
4. Collect and analyze data
5. Interpret results
6. Report findings

Question 6

List and describe the characteristics of scientific method

Question 7

Explain why it’s important to understand scientific research in Kinesiology

Answer 7

Able to differenciate between real and fake information and data