What is the scientific approach to knowledge generation?
Science is designed to systematically produce reliable and valid knowledge about the natural world
It relies on multiple logics, strategies, and methods, each with strengths and limitations.
Define authority as a method of knowledge acquisition.
A basis for acceptance of information acquired from a highly respected source.
What is rationalism in the context of knowledge acquisition?
The acquisition of knowledge through reasoning, often used to derive hypotheses.
Who were key figures in the development of empiricism?
John Locke and David Hume.
What is meant by the term ‘induction’ in scientific reasoning?
A reasoning process that involves going from the specific to the general.
What is deduction in scientific reasoning?
A reasoning process that involves going from the general to the specific.
What is hypothesis testing?
The process of testing a predicted relationship by making observations and comparing them with the hypothesis.
What is falsificationism?
A deductive approach to science focusing on falsifying hypotheses as the key criterion of science.
What does the Duhem–Quine principle state?
A hypothesis cannot be tested in isolation from other assumptions.
What is the goal of objectivity in scientific research?
To eliminate or minimize opinion or bias.
What is the assumption of regularity in nature?
The belief that there are lawful relations among events in nature.
Define determinism in the context of scientific research.
The belief that mental processes and behaviors are fully caused by prior natural factors.
What is discoverability in scientific research?
The assumption that it is possible to discover regularities that exist in nature.
What characterizes empirical research?
Research that is based on data collected using scientific tools.
What is control in scientific research?
Holding constant or eliminating the influence of extraneous variables.
What is operationalization of constructs?
The process of creating good empirical measurements of constructs in research studies.
What does replication mean in scientific research?
The reproduction of the results of a study in a new study.
What is the difference between evidence and proof in scientific research?
Science provides evidence that varies in strength, whereas proof implies absolute certainty.
What is a theory in scientific research?
An explanation of how and why something operates, suggesting new testable hypotheses.
What are the four main objectives of scientific research?
- Description
- Explanation
- Prediction
- Control
What characterizes pseudoscience?
An approach claiming to be scientific but violating many tenets of science.
What are common strategies used in pseudoscience?
- Creating new hypotheses to explain negative findings
- Exclusive use of confirmation
- Absence of self-correction
- Reversed burden of proof
- Overreliance on testimonials
- Use of ambiguous language
- Lack of connection to other disciplines
Fill in the blank: The scientific method relies on _______ thinking for exploratory phases and _______ thinking for testing.
[inductive] and [deductive].
True or False: Evidence in scientific research is always considered proof.
False.
