Final Written exam - Week 1

Question 1

What is a logical fallacy and provide examples.

Answer 1

An error in reasoning that occurs when invalid arguments or irrelevant points or deception are introduced without any evidence to support them.
Examples:
Ad hominen (attack the person, not the argument)
Red Herring (irrelevant point)
Slippery Slope (one event leads to chain of events)

Question 2

What is a theory?

Answer 2

An idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain facts or events.

Question 3

What is ethnography?

Answer 3

A qualitative approach that collects and analyzes data in the social and behavioral sciences. Relies on interviews and observations.

Question 4

What is face validity?

Answer 4

Extent to which a test
appears to measure
what it claims to
measure.

Question 5

What is the definition of an ‘ad hominum’ statement?

Answer 5

When someone in an argument attacks the person, not the argument.

Question 6

Explain Deductive, Inductive and Abductive reasoning.

Answer 6

Deductive: Begins with a theory, support it by observation, and apply it to specifics (from general to specific)

Inductive: Begins with an observation and arrives at a hypothesis or theory (from specific to general)

Abductive reasoning: Making a probable conclusion from what you know.