Topic 1 - The Scientific Method

Question 1

Four requirements for science to result in knowledge acquisition?

Answer 1

Rational
- Inference based on logical reasoning

Skeptical
- Seek to scrutinize patters

Objective
- Unbiased by preconceived notions

Methodologically Materialistic
- Explanations are natural and not supernatural

Question 2

What are the components of a scientific argument and why is it important?

Answer 2

Claim
- Proposed explanation

Evidence
- Proof to further strengthen the claim

Reasoning
- Connects evidence to claim intellectually

Inferential Strength
- Quality of the argument and how it connect the evidence to the claim

Its important,
- Ensures our understanding is based on scientific evidence

Question 3

Explain a, hypothesis, prediction, fact and theory

Answer 3

Hypothesis
- A proposed testable explanation for an observation or phenomenon

Prediction
- Testable statement about the expected outcome of an experiment or observation

Fact
- Something that has been tested and proven many times

Theory
- A hypothesis supported by a vast amount of evidence

Question 4

Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning

Answer 4

Inductive
- An assumption based on particular or broad evidence (eg. 1 black swan means all must be black)

Deductive
- An assumption going from broad to general, (eg. robins can fly, all birds can fly, therefore robins are birds)

Question 5

Why does science proceed via rejecting?

Answer 5

It is more reliable and rigorous way to build knowledge than trying to confirm them.

Question 6

Descriptive vs. Hypothesis Testing

Answer 6

Descriptive
- An assertion of pattern in the physical and or natural world

Hypothesis Testing
- An assertion related to the validity of a scientific hypothesis (causal explanation for a pattern/observation)

Question 7

What is extrapolation?

Answer 7

Replicating an environment or situation within a smaller model.

Question 8

Observational vs. Manipulative Studies

Answer 8

Observational
- Natural habitat without manipulating variables

Manipulative Studies
- Manipulating a variable within an experiment to see the effect

Question 9

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 9

Another unconsidered cause for a result being studied