Characteristics of Science - Answers 1. Based on empirical knowledge
2. Provides rational/natural explanations
3. Repeatable & reproducible
4. Testable
5. Involves experimentation
6. Generality of principles
Empirical Knowledge - Answers -Knowledge derived from observation or experimentation
-Data collection (qualitative or quantitative)
-Observations: often the starting point of a scientific investigation
Rational/Natural Explanations for Phenomena - Answers -Seeking explanations in terms of
rational/natural causes
-Answers science can provide are limited to the natural world
-Supernatural causes are not used in science
Repeatable - Answers If scientific results are subject to confirmation by the SAME investigators
Reproducible - Answers If scientific results are subject to confirmation by OTHER investigators
Reliable - Answers If experiments can be repeated/reproduced via a reliable method/procedure-
>confirmation->reliable
Testability - Answers -Must be testable through observation/experimentation
-For an idea to be testable, it must generate specific expectations
-A set of observations/results are expected if the idea is true
-A set of observations/results are expected if the idea is false
Experimentation - Answers -Experiment: a planned intervention into a natural process to observe the
effects
-An organized and detailed series of steps to validate or reject a hypothesis
-Ex. Cutting the limb off a salamander and observing the results
, Generality of Principles - Answers -Generality: the establishment of universal principles that express how
the natural world works under certain conditions
-How general will depend on the conditions
What is Research? - Answers The systematic, planned, and multiple-step process that uses discoveries to
advance knowledge
Scientific Research - Answers Research conducted for the purpose of contributing towards science
The Scientific Method- Steps - Answers 1. Identify a Problem/Question
2. Formulate a hypothesis
3. Test hypothesis (make observations, perform experiments & collect data)
4. Analyze data/results
5. Does data support hypothesis? (No=formulate new hypotheses, perform new experiments)
6. Draw conclusions
7. Communicate results
Primary Research - Answers -Involves the collection and analysis of original ('raw') data
-Many types (observational, experimental etc.)
Secondary Research - Answers -Involves further analysis of studies already performed
-Narrative/traditional literature reviews
-Systematic reviews
-Meta-analyses
Fundamental (Basic) Research - Answers -Investigation of basic principles and reasons for occurrence of
a particular event, process or phenomenon
-Theoretical or pure research
-Curiosity driven
-The outcomes of basic research form the basis of many applied research studies
Applied Research - Answers Concerned with solving practical problems of immediate interest
Descriptive or Analytical - Answers With respect to nature of study
Observational or Experimental - Answers With respect to method used for data collection
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