Science in Communication Disorders: Methods, Ethics, and Evidence-Based Practice

What is science primarily concerned with?

Science is a way of thinking and problem-solving aimed at solving practical problems and correcting erroneous beliefs.

How does science aim to protect against personal bias?

Science seeks to minimize personal bias and wishful thinking by arranging data systematically to answer questions.

What is the role of ethics in scientific research?

Ethics in science involves behaving in a way that ensures information is obtained ethically and can be trusted.

What is the importance of communication in science?

Communication is crucial for sharing information in an accessible manner.

What are some limitations of human perception in science?

Human senses have physical limitations, such as sensory illusions and change blindness, which can lead to missing important information.

How can scientists overcome limitations in perception?

By designing studies with systematic and repeated observations.

What is a common thinking limitation in scientific inquiry?

Scientists often look for evidence that confirms their hypotheses rather than questioning them.

What does science encourage to minimize bias?

Science encourages considering counterexamples and alternative explanations.

Why is trust important in science?

Trust is the belief in the reliability and truth of scientific findings, essential for scientific progress.

What elements contribute to building trust in science?

Elements include a variety of evidence, scientific values, progression of knowledge, and expert consensus.

What types of evidence support scientific knowledge?

Observational, experimental, quantitative, and qualitative evidence all support scientific knowledge.

What are some scientific values that promote integrity among scientists?

Respect for evidence, honesty in obtaining evidence, humility about uncertainty, and openness to criticism.

How does scientific knowledge progress?

Scientific knowledge progresses through the accumulation of evidence over time, which checks against errors and reduces uncertainty.

What is expert consensus in science?

Expert consensus ensures objectivity by relying on diverse expert perspectives rather than a single authority.

What are the three components of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)?

Clinical expertise, client perspectives, and research evidence.

What is the five-step process of Evidence-Based Practice?

1. Formulate a clinical question; 2. Find relevant evidence; 3. Evaluate evidence quality; 4. Combine evidence with expertise and preferences; 5. Implement and evaluate outcomes.

What does the evidence pyramid illustrate?

The evidence pyramid illustrates the quality of evidence and how it minimizes bias.

What is the purpose of observational evidence in research?

Observational evidence helps identify population characteristics.

What is the significance of experimental evidence?

Experimental evidence helps identify causal relationships, such as treatment effectiveness.

What do cohort studies involve?

Cohort studies involve following participants over time to determine factors leading to different outcomes.

What are randomized controlled trials?

Randomized controlled trials assign participants randomly to receive different treatments to assess effectiveness.

What is a systematic review?

A systematic review synthesizes all available research on a given topic using strict methods.

What prompts the development of a research idea?

Research ideas often stem from observations based on curiosity about phenomena.

How do scientific theories guide research?

Theories generate testable hypotheses and suggest where to look for evidence.

What is a hypothesis in scientific research?

A hypothesis specifies the relationship believed to exist between variables based on a research question.

What is the purpose of choosing a research design?

A research design serves as a blueprint for arranging and observing events in a study.

What considerations are important when selecting participants for a study?

Considerations include appropriateness for the research question, recruitment methods, and ethical treatment.

What is the significance of data in scientific research?

Data is factual information used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation.