Acquiring Knowledge and the Scientific Method

Method of Tenacity

Info is accepted as accurate based on long-term belief or superstition

Method of Intuition

Info is accepted based on hunches or “gut feelings”

Method of Authority

Relies on info or answers from an expert in the subject manner (often quickest and easiest)

Rational Method

Answer questions by the use of logical reasoning

Empirical Method

Answering questions by direct observation or personal experience

Scientific method

An approach to acquiring knowledge

Scientific Method Step 1

Observe behaviour or phenomena (induction)

Scientific Method Step 2

Form a tentative answer to or explanation (hypothesis)

Scientific Method Step 3

Use your hypothesis to generate a testable prediction (deduction)

Scientific Method Step 4

Evaluate the prediction by making a systematic, planned observation

Scientific Method Step 5

Support, refute, or refine the original hypothesis

Scientific Method Empirical

Involves strutted and systematic observation of natural phenomena that are accessible to the senses and measurable

Scientific Method Public

Makes observations and findings available to the public via academic publications and conference presentations

Scientific Method Objective

Observations and studies are designed to control researcher bias/belief and avoid inaccurate conclusions

Science

Involves systematic and objective observations

Pseudoscience

Presented as a science, but lacks key components

Quantitative Research

Produces numerical scores measuring variables that are statistically analyzed for summary and interpretation

Qualitative Research

Based on making observations, summarizing them, and interpreting in a narrative report