Chapter 1: Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge, and the Scientific Method Flashcards
(18 cards)
Methods of acquiring knowledge
The variety of ways in which a person can know things or discover answers to questions.
Method of Tenacity
A method of acquiring knowledge in which information is accepted as true because it has always been believed or because superstition supports it.
Method of Intuition
A method of acquiring knowledge in which information is accepted on the basis of a hunch or “gut feeling.”
Method of Faith
A variant of the method of authority in which people have unquestioning trust in the authority figure and, therefore, accept information from the authority without doubt or challenge.
Method of Authority
A method of acquiring knowledge in which a person relies on information or answers from an expert in the subject area.
Rational method (Rationalism)
A method of acquiring knowledge that involves seeking answers by the use of logical reasoning. Also known as rationalism.
Premise statements
Sentences used in logical reasoning that describe facts or assumptions.
Argument
In the rational method, a set of premise statements that are logically combined to yield a conclusion.
Empirical method (Empiricism)
A method of acquiring knowledge in which observation and direct sensory experience are used to obtain knowledge. Also known as empiricism.
Scientific Method
A method of acquiring knowledge that uses observations to develop a hypothesis, then uses the hypothesis to make logical predictions that can be empirically tested by making additional, systematic observations. Typically, the new observations lead to a new hypothesis, and the cycle continues.
Induction (Inductive reasoning)
The use of a relatively small set of specific observations as the basis for forming a general statement about a larger set of possible observations. Also known as inductive reasoning.
Variables
Characteristics or conditions that change or have different values for different individuals.
Hypothesis
A statement that provides a tentative description or explanation for the relationship between variables.
Deduction (Deductive reasoning)
The use of a general statement as the basis for reaching a conclusion about specific examples. Also known as deductive reasoning.
Quantitative research
Research that is based on measuring variables for individual participants or subjects to obtain scores, usually numerical values, that are submitted to statistical analyses for summary and interpretation.
Qualitative research
Research that is based on observations that are summarized and interpreted in a narrative report.
Participants
Humans who take part in a research study.
Subjects
Nonhumans who take part in a research study.
