Ch. 12: Science

Which of the following is an advantage of field experiments over experiments conducted in a laboratory? a. Field experiments are typically easier to control than experiments in a laboratory b. Field experiments allow the experimenter to precisely determine if there is a causal relationship b/w the independent and dependent variables c. Field experiments can better replicate natural conditions d. None of these answers are correct

c. Field experiments can better replicate natural conditions

Research that is based on past achievements and is recognized by most scientists refers to ______________ a. Paradigm b. Scientific revolution c. Normal science

c. Normal science

Experimental material samples should be __________________ a. Generally defined in terms of quality and quantity b. Precisely defined in terms of mass and volume c. Precisely defined in terms of size and selection d. Generally defined in terms or color and width

c. Precisely defined in terms of size and selection

Once the scientist completes her observations, her collection, and has refined the hypothesis, her next step is to a. Hold a press conference b. Formulate her theory c. Test the hypothesis d. Publish her results

c. Test the hypothesis

The scientific method is explained as: a. The identification of a problem and the intuitive understanding explanation of the hypothesis b. The identification of a hypothesis and the intuitive understanding and logical explanation for the problem c. The identification of a problem and the systematic application of observation and experimentation in testing an explanation for the problem

c. The identification of a problem and the systematic application of observation and experimentation in testing an explanation for the problem

Taking objectivity as their ideal, which of the following do scientists strive to do? a. Use precise language b. Make careful and objective observations c. Be aware of their biases d. All of these answers are correct

d. All of these answers are correct

Which of the following is true of a good hypothesis? a. It is simple b. It is testable c. It can be used to make predictions d. All of these answers are correct

d. All of these answers are correct

As critical thinkers we need to be able to: a. Appreciate, review, and survey scientific reports b. Appreciate, evaluate, and research science media c. Interpret, review, and survey science media d. Interpret, evaluate, and research scientific reports

d. Interpret, evaluate, and research scientific reports

Identify a true statement about science a. It empirically proves the existence of a physical world b. It rejects the idea that there is an underlying unity of the universe c. It urges people to question their tendency to see order in random phenomena d. It uses the existence of a physical world as its starting point

d. It uses the existence of a physical world as its starting point

Thomas Kuhn's critique or normal science has been tremendously valuable it ______________ a. Encourages scientists to support normal science and helps paradigms remain established b. Confirms the objective and progressive nature of science c. Proves that normal science is unbiased by social expectations and professional norms that determine what is an acceptable d. Makes scientist become more aware of the role that social expectations and confirmation bias play in science

d. Makes scientist become more aware of the role that social expectations and confirmation bias play in science

A hypothesis is most similar to a(n) ________________ a. Fact b. Conjecture c. Assumption d. Proposition

d. Proposition

Which of the following methods do scientists consider the only reliable one for obtaining knowledge? a. Keeping a dream journal b. Modus ponens c. Careful reflection d. The empirical method

d. The empirical method

A well-designed experiment is _____________ a. Untested b. Based on expert opinion c. Based on conjecture d. Unbiased

d. Unbiased

As critical thinkers, we need to think critically about science as a method of _________________

discovering truth

Scientific observation can be ______________ or direct

indirect

Generalization refers to

results that can be generalized from the sample used in the experiment and represents that overall population the sample is meant to represent

In a controlled experiment ...

-All variables are kept constant except for the independent variables -They generally have only 1 independent variable -Controlled experiments are used to determine whether there is a casual relationship b/w the independent and dependent variable

Assumptions Underlying Science:

-Empiricism -Objectivity -Materialism -Predictability - assume that the physical world is *orderly and predictable* -Unity - assume that there's *underlying unity of the universe*, a unified dynamic structure that's present in all phenomena {Meaning that assume that scientific laws are universally applicable}

3 levels of thinking

-Experience -Interpretation -Analysis

Which of the following are characteristics of pseudoscientific verification? Select all that apply -Impossible to validate -Precise wording -Ambiguous language -Possible to validate

-Impossible to validate -Ambiguous language

What are some ethical considerations in a scientific study? Select all that apply -Informed consent -Protection of rights (human and other) -Experimenting on marginalized groups -Non-maleficence (no harm)

-Informed consent -Protection of rights (human and other) -Non-maleficence (no harm)

Thomas Kuhn's 3 key concepts:

-Normal science -Paradigms -Scientific revolutions

Evaluating scientific hypothesis

-Relevance to the problem under study -Consistency with well-established theories -Simplicity (known as: Ockham's razor) -Testability and falsifiability -Predictive power -Distinguishing b/w scientific and pseudoscientific hypotheses

Limitations of science:

-The very starting point of science -the existence of a physical world- can't be empirically proven -Science is limited to the observable. However things like; dark matter and subatomic particles; cannot be observed -Immanuel Kant argues that, *how we experience reality is dependent on the structure of our brain which organizes and gives meaning to input from our senses*

Scientific progress is not linear. Kuhn argues that a ____________ is necessary for the emergence of a new paradigm

Crisis

Scientific materialists claim that the only knowable phenomena are mental noumena True or False?

False

Scientific experiments are carried out under controlled conditions and involve systematic measurement and statistical analysis of data, In other words,

In a contained environment, tests are conducted to study and evaluate data

Research methodology is a systematic approach to gathering and analyzing info. based on established scientific procedures and techniques. In other words, it is the way in which

Info. is collected and scrutinized using the scientific method

Field experiments use contrived situations designed to appear to the study subjects as ________________

Natural occurrences

A single-group experiment uses

Only one group of study subjects

Microscopes, telescopes, tape recorders, and stethoscopes are instruments used to correct bias as well as cognitive and _________________ errors

Perceptual

The basic design of a single-group experiment

Pretest ---> Treatment ----> Post-test

Scientific experiment

Research carried out under controlled or semi-controlled conditions

Normal science

Scientific research that is based on past achievements and is recognized by most scientists

Paradigm

The accepted view of what the world is like and how should go about studying it -Becomes part of normal science if: 1. It's successful in solving problems scientist are working on 2. Able to attract a large group of adherents

Objectivity

The assumption that we can observe and study the physical world without any observer bias

Materialism

The belief that everything in the universe is composed of physical matter - perception, thoughts, and emotions can all be reduced to descriptions of physical systems ex. brainwaves or stimulus & response

Empiricism

The belief that our physical senses are the primary source of knowledge

Dependent variable

The fact in a controlled experiment that changes in response to the manipulation

Independent variable

The factor in a controlled experiment that is being manipulated

Experimental material

The group or class of objects or subjects that is being studied in an experiment

Science

The use of reason to move from observable, measurable facts to hypotheses to testable explanations for those factors

According to Thomas Kuhn, science is biased by social expectations and professional norms that determine what is an acceptable hypothesis True or False?

True

Experimental results that falsify a hypothesis are just as important to scientific knowledge as those that support a hypothesis True or False?

True

Which of the following is a proposed explanation for a particular set of phenomena? a. A hypothesis b. An observation c. An experiment d. A formal fallacy

a. A hypothesis

Objectivity is NOT a. Based on personal feelings and opinions b. An assumption underlying modern science c. Belief that we can observe and study the physical world

a. Based on personal feelings and opinions

Which of the following does science attempt to explain? a. Measurable facts b. Untestable explanations c. Subjective reality d. Assumptions

a. Measurable facts

Select all that apply - Scientists have traditionally assumed the physical world as: a. Orderly b. Spiritual c. Predictable d. Ethical e. Metaphysical

a. Orderly c. Predictable

Which of the following is an assumption concerning objectivity in science? a. Scientists believe we can study the world as an object outside of us w/o bias on the part of the scientist b. Scientists believe we cannot accurately understand the world thru observation or they study c. Scientist believe we should rely on our personal beliefs and opinions in order to understand what we observe

a. Scientists believe we can study the world as an object outside of us w/o bias on the part of the scientist

While interpreting experimental results, what needs to be done if the results are not replicated in subsequent experiments? a. The hypothesis should be reexamined b. The results should be addicted to match the original hypothesis c. The experiment should be repeated till the original results are replicated d. Th hypothesis should be rewritten to match the results

a. The hypothesis should be reexamined

Which of the following statements explains how scientists explain relationships thru systems? a. The task of scientist is to discover, observe, and collect facts in a structured manner, and to draw conclusions about that data b. The task of scientist is to follow intuition, look for interesting patters, and explain our connection to the universe

a. The task of scientist is to discover, observe, and collect facts in a structured manner, and to draw conclusions about that data

A scientific experiment may be well designed and produce significant results but still be inappropriate b/c it a. Violated moral principles and guidelines b. Doesn't yield profitable results c. Is uninteresting to the scientific community d. Doesn't contribute to popular culture

a. Violated moral principles and guidelines

Pseudoscience is a body of explanations that masquerade as science in order to a. gain legitimacy b. Bamboozle c. Deceive d. Discredit science

a. gain legitimacy Which of the following are

The last step in the scientific method is to a. Restate the problem b. Evaluate the hypothesis c. Identify the problem d. Restate the hypothesis

b. Evaluate the hypothesis

Which of the following is the first of the scientific method? a. Developing a hypothesis b. Identify a problem c. Testing a hypothesis d. Gathering info. about a problem

b. Identify a problem

Identify the characteristics of a well-designed experiments a. Its based on assumptions and options b. It uses checks to minimize error c. It uses small-sized samples d. It uses controls to minimize experimental error

b. It uses checks to minimize error d. It uses controls to minimize experimental error

In some cases, studying a phenomenon in its _______________ setting may be the best method for testing a hypothesis. Conducting such studies demonstrates how a phenomenon would behave in its ordinary, regular and/or undisturbed state a. Fabricated b. Natural c. Synthetic d. Mock

b. Natural

Which of the following statements best describes. Copernicus's theory? a. Nicolaus Copernicus launched the scientific revolution with his assertion that the Earth is the center of the cosmos b. Nicolaus Copernicus launched the scientific revolution with his assertion that the Sun is the center of the cosmos

b. Nicolaus Copernicus launched the scientific revolution with his assertion that the Sun is the center of the cosmos

The more data and observations that scientist accumulate over the generations a. The lesser is science's ability to explain the workings of nature b. The greater is science's ability to correctly explain the workings of nature c. The greater is science's ability to correctly explain metaphysical phenomena d. The lesser is science's ability to understand metaphysical workings

b. The greater is science's ability to correctly explain the workings of nature

Among competing hypotheses that both satisfy the basic criteria, scientific simplicity that a. The hypothesis that is simpler is always accepted b. The hypothesis that is simpler is generally accepted c. The hypothesis that is simpler is generally rejected d. The hypothesis that is simpler is always rejected

b. The hypothesis that is simpler is generally accepted

Which of the following best describes the assumption of modern science called objectivity? a. There are objects that must be studied b. The physical world can be studied w/o bias on the part of scientists c. The Earth is the center of the universe d. The material universe is basically unpredictable

b. The physical world can be studied w/o bias on the part of scientists

The empirical method is considered a. An acceptable, but not preferable, method for obtaining knowledge b. The reliable method for obtaining knowledge c. An unreliable method for obtaining knowledge

b. The reliable method for obtaining knowledge

Which of the following is a limitation of science? a. It fails to provide a better proof regarding the origin of the universe than those in religious texts b. The very starting point of science cannot be empirically proven c. It rejects the idea that a unified dynamic structure is present in all phenomena d. It prevents people from building a body of knowledge about the natural world

b. The very starting point of science cannot be empirically proven

Which of the following best describes pseudoscience? a. Attempts at explanation based on observation and testing b. A method of collecting data w/o using instruments such as telescopes and barometers c. Attempts at explanation based chiefly on unverifiable claims and emotional appeals d. None of these answer is correct

c. Attempts at explanation based chiefly on unverifiable claims and emotional appeals

Science is a system of logically consistent hypotheses or theories. This means that science is a. An uncoordinated approach b. Well-organized but completely unpredictable c. Comprised of interacting components that work towards an integrated whole d. Done w/o accordance to a fixed plan or procedure

c. Comprised of interacting components that work towards an integrated whole

Which of the following is an approach to scientific research that is carried out in controlled (or partially controlled) conditions and involves statistical reasoning? a. Statistics b. A research program c. Experimentation d. Telepathy

c. Experimentation

In addition to being testable and reproducible, a good hypothesis must be able to be a. Expressed in the third person b. Truthified c. Falsified d. Expressed in the first person

c. Falsified

Controlled experiment

An experiment in which the sample is randomly divided into an experimental and a control group

4 basic positions regarding relationship b/w science and religion:

1. Science always trumps religion when there is a conflict 2. Religion always trumps science when there is a conflict 3. Science and religion operate into 2 separate and mutually exclusive realities 4. Science and religion are concerned with the same reality and are compatible and complementary

QUIZ

100%

Pseudoscience

A body of explanations or hypotheses that masquerades as science

Confounding variable

A fact that is not accounted for or controlled by the experimental design

Scientific revolution

A paradigm shift in which a new scientific theory replaces a problematic paradigm

Scientific method

A process involving the rigorous, systematic application of observation and experimentation -Steps: 1. Identifying the problem 2. Developing a hypothesis 3. Gathering additional info. and refining the hypothesis 4. Testing the hypothesis 5. Evaluating the results of the tests or experiments

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a particular set of phenomena

According to Thomas Kuhn, science is _______________

A social construct

Placebo

A substance used in experiments that has no therapeutic effect

Research methodology

A systematic approach in science to gathering and analyzing information