Science
National Academy of Sci:
The use of evidence to construct testable explanation & prediction of natural phenomena.
A method of arriving at objective truths
Hypothesis
A proposed explanation for a problem or set of observations
Scientific Method
The process of formulating explanations about the natural world and testing those explanations w/ experiments and data.
Science vs. Research
Science is a philosophy & process to investigate the natural world, arriving at objective truths
Research is the method by which people carry out scientific principles. Can be biased & have errors.
Evidence-based Practice: 3 components
1.) The weight of the evidence from scientific research
2.) Consider Field observations results
(but know it is limited b/c it is conducted in uncontrolled settings & have bias/errors)
3.) Individual client needs and preferences must be considered in spite of prevailing science.
Scientific Method: 6 steps
1.) Identify problem or set of observations
2.) Formulate a hypothesis
3.) Design a study to test the hypothesis
4.) Collect, Synthesize & Interpret Data
5.) Continue testing data that supports the hypothesis.
6.) Discard or change the hypothesis of the data does not support it.
Predictions
Predictions are developed from hypotheses.
Predictions should be TRUE if the hypothesis is TRUE.
Theory
A hypothesis/ hypotheses for which a large body of high-quality evidence has been accumulated; ot has withstood rigorous scrutiny through repeated testing.
Hierarchy of Evidence: 5 levels
Starting with the least:
1.) Non-peer reviewed media, anecdote & tradition.
2.) Peer-reviewed editorials & Expert opinions
3.) Observational research
4.) Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
5.) Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs
Anecdote
A person’s account or experience of an event.
Uncontrolled Variable
A variable in an experiment that a scientist makes no effort to manipulate or account for.
Cause & Effect and their variables
Cause: Independent Variable
Effect: Dependent Variable
Other Factors: Confounding Variable
Correlation
A relationship between two or more variables
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
In this test, people are divided into two or more groups in a random fashion.
The scientists keep everything the same between the two groups except for ONE variable (the independent variable).
Can establish cause & effect
External Validity
The ability to generalize the results of a study.
Systematic Review
Scientists systematically gather all research on a topic & evaluate it based on predefined criteria & rules.
Together w/ meta-analysis, it is highest level of evid.
Meta-analysis
A statistical analysis of RCTs to gain an idea of where the weight of evidence lies.
Together w/ Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analysis is the highest level of evidence.
They give a consensus on the best research.
Testability in the Scientific Approach is: Falsifiable of Unfalsifiable
Falsifiable.
If a claim cannot be tested and potentially disproven, it is not considered scientific.
B/c hypotheses must be testable, they are subject to falsification.
This in in line w/ the sci. method, which narrows down what is true by proving what is not true.
Empirical
Based on observation or experience.
Test-Retest Reliability
The ability to get similar results when something is measured under the same conditions.
Reliability
Is a measure consistent?
Validity
Is the tool measuring what it’s supposed to?
Selection Bias
A sample is not representative of the larger population.
Case Studies
Observational Research
Descriptive Research
-Tracks a person or group over time
-Discuss events that occur
*Limited b/c not generalizable
