Lecture 1 research literate Flashcards
What is scientific Method
We humans are continually trying to understand and predict our physical and social environment.
Verifiability
Predictability
Falsifiability
Fairness
Verifiability
Means that an experiment must be replicable by another researcher. To achieve verifiability researchers must make sure to document their methods and clearly explain how their experiment is structured and why it produces certain results.
Predictability
In a scientific theory implies that the theory should enable us to make predictions about future events. The precision of three predictions is a measure of the strength of the theory.
Falsifiability
Refers to whether a hypothesis can be disproved. For a hypothesis to be falsifiable, it must be logically possible to make an observation or do a physical experiment that would show that there is no support for the hypothesis. Even when a hypothesis cannot be shown to be false that does not necessary mean it is not valid. Future testing may disprove the hypothesis.
Fairness
Implies that all data must be considered when evaluating a hypothesis. A researcher cannot pick and choose what data. To keep and what to discard or focus specifically on data that support or don’t support a particular hypothesis. All data must be accounted for even if they invalidate he hypothesis.
What are the ways that scientists acquire knowledge?
Association- through superstition or habit
Intuition - not based on reasoning or inference
Authority - highly respected sources
Induction - via generalisation
Empiricism -passive experience
Deduction - hypothesis testing and obese ratio
Three important elements of critical thinking?
Scepticism
Openmindedness
Objectivity
Gold Standard methodology?
Superior to other treatments
Manualised
Normative values
Challenges to implementation of the gold standard methodology?
Not cost effective or time efficient
Patient compliance
Patients are individuals ( one size does not for all)
Is it ethical?
