Premium Essay

Evaluating Scientific Claims to Various Questions

In: Science

Submitted By lg5050
Words 312
Pages 2
Evaluating Scientific Claims to Various Questions
Larry Gordon
SCIE131-Q3WW (F14)
10-12-14

Question 1
The chicken experiment has one major setback; the sample size is too small. A sample of 20 chickens cannot be used as a representative of the total population. This is because as the sample size becomes larger it tends towards the normal population.
Question 2
The experiment is not a good idea. This is due to two main reasons. First of all, the study is lacking a control experiment. The control experiment will help us know if the drug is truly effective or not. Secondly, the duration that the students want to conduct the experiment is too long. Many factors along the year like change in weather patterns may affect the patients’ responses.
Question 3
The tobacco representatives were forced to respond the way they did because it is their work to support their company’s products. I would have told them that if I were in their shoes I would have responded the way they did. However, I would also bring to their attention the numerous researches that have been done on the cancer-tobacco issue that prove their assertions to be false. (Bailin, 2002)
Question 4
This is because the patients already knew what was being tested on them and the only way for the study to stop would be for them to give positive reviews. Furthermore, the results could have been doctored to boost the market for tapes.

Question 5
No, the people did not have ESP. Selecting 8 cards out of 25 gives an accuracy level of 0.32. This is below the half way mark. For the logic to be valid, the participants should have an accuracy level of above 75%.

References
Bailin, S. (2002). Critical Thinking and Science Education. Retrieved from

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Six Scientific Thinkin Principals

...The Six Principals of Scientific thinking Student’s Name Institution Affiliation Introduction Various scientific concepts have greatly impacted the manner in which people approach everyday issues as well as think about life in general. The six scientific principles of thinking happen to be the concept, which has greatly affected people’s thinking as well as reasoning behavior. This concept is dependent on the primary aspects of psychology. It is applied within each and every level of scientific thinking categories. This only means that such principles are utilized in tests, problem solving, as well as solution valuations. All scientific thinking, which take part in an individual’s daily activities happen to be best enhanced using the six principles of scientific thinking. Such principles include: correlation vs. causation fallacy, ruling out rival hypothesis, falsifiability, extra ordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, reliability, and Occam’s razor. Extra ordinary claims This is a scientific thinking principal, which argues that extra ordinary claims need extraordinary evidence. In other words, the more an argument contradicts what people know already, the more convincing the evidence has to be prior to people accepting the claim. For instance, a sight on the internet “where does big foot live in North America,” reports that the encounters of Bigfoot get report throughout North America. It argues that Bigfoot is seen in every kind of climate as...

Words: 823 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Differences Between Science, Non-Science and Pseudo-Science

...distinguish science correctly from non-science and pseudo-science. The following essay will present the differences between science, pseudo-science and non-science first, and then discuss three possible responses to the question that what we should do when there is a clash between scientific explanation and non-scientific explanation. The brief discussion related to the correct non-scientific explanation will present finally. There are some differences between science, pseudo-science and non-science. The goal of science is to discover what there is in the world and explain why it is and how it is (Hammerton, 2010, p.1). Science is helpful to answer some of these questions by presenting what the cause and impacts of different actions (Hammerton, 2010, p. 3). One of the significant characters of science is the construction of theories. Scientists usually want to explain the results of observation and experiment in terms of general theory rather than simply recording the results (Okasha, 2002, p. 2). Physics, biology, geology and psychology are within the domain of science (Hammerton, 2010, p. 1). However, some questions would be better explained by philosophy rather than science, such as evaluative questions, non-empirical questions, normative questions and questions related to personal experiences (Hammerton, 2010, p. 2). Pseudo-science refers to a theory that belongs to the domain of science, however, it is not scientifically testable. The philosopher Karl Popper thinks that...

Words: 1320 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Nonmarket Issues

...Liberty University DigitalCommons@Liberty University Faculty Publications and Presentations A. Pierre Guillermin Library 12-1-1999 "Global Environmental Problems Require Global Solutions": A Case Study in Ecomessianism Tyler Veak Liberty University, tveak@liberty.edu Wyatt Galusky Morrisville State College, wgalusky@vt.edu Veak, Tyler and Galusky, Wyatt, ""Global Environmental Problems Require Global Solutions": A Case Study in Ecomessianism" (1999). Faculty Publications and Presentations. Paper 15. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/lib_fac_pubs/15 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the A. Pierre Guillermin Library at DigitalCommons@Liberty University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Liberty University. For more information, please contact scholarlycommunication@liberty.edu. "Global Environmental Problems Require Global Solutions": A Case Study in Ecomessianism1 Tyler Veak and Wyatt Galusky2 Abstract Many Western environmental activist groups and theorists have sounded the call for the Earth's salvation from the "global environmental crisis." What is lacking, however, is some reflection on the ramifications of framing the problem globally, and on the justifications for particular solutions. This paper examines the "ecomessiah" (saviors of the Earth) phenomenon to investigate the impacts of these types of programs....

Words: 4510 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

Research Strategies for Weight Loss

...steps. Through mastering the art of research, we will become better real-life problem solvers, as well as more exceptional students. Before beginning the process of research and evaluation, one must define their purpose, or figure out why he or she wishes to analyze a particular topic. In my case, losing twenty pounds is a problem I feel strongly about solving because it is important to be healthy and feel good. Boosting confidence is only a peripheral side effect of weight loss. Upon making the decision to lose twenty pounds, I can analyze my diet and lifestyle to figure out what bad choices have led to weight gain. Once defining my purpose, the process of gathering infromation and evaluating data can begin (Bishop, et al., 2007, p. 79). Keeping an open mind and remaining felxible about various methods and options for weight loss will aid in the process and lead to a greater chance of success. A major part of the research process is to figure out...

Words: 1018 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Final Draft Mooney

...“motivated-reasoning” in which people may instead be ‘rationalizing’. Rationalizing can help explain how, as a society; we can remain bias over issues for which there are loads of evidence and information. This article is important based on the various perspectives of the learning process such as the president vaccine wars, science on climate changes, and global warming issues. Mooney uses these perspectives to his advantage to persuade his audience on the independence of beliefs and how it affects our thoughts. The theory behind “motivated reasoning” is that pre-existing beliefs, far more than any new facts brought to peoples’ attention tend to skew our thinking processes. These pre-existing thoughts color people’s most passionate and seemingly logical conclusions and beliefs. Mooney states, “‘Motivated-reasoning’ helps explain why we find groups so polarized over matters where the evidence is so unequivocal.”(pg.2) Mooney takes the time to not only cite organizations, in which participants do not formally have political affiliations, but he uses experimental studies to demonstrate his point. For example, Mooney mentions the classic 1979 experiment in which “pro-and-anti-death advocates” were exposed to descriptions of two fake scientific studies. He discusses how one of the studies supported the experiment and one study undermined the notion that...

Words: 1048 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Richard Rorty - Truth

...the interpretation of such a concept as truth. One should keep in mind that Rorty is a representative of pragmatism; according to this theory, truth can be described as a “changing, subjective, and relative” phenomenon (414). In particular, it is necessary to evaluate his claim that “we commend a statement as true when it passes the tests that our community uses to distinguish what is true from what is false” (416). In other words, this argument implies that a person can accept anything as truth, provided that it is compatible with the standards of validity that are adopted by a group. Overall, this argument should not be overlooked because it highlights the unreliability of human knowledge; nevertheless, its relativism can be used to justify absurd or even atrocious ideas that can eventually prove to be disastrous. These are the main issues that should be discussed more closely. Overall, Richard Rorty believes that individuals accept something as truth if it passes the “procedures of justification” established in a certain community (416). In this context, the term justification procedures can be described as the tools or tests which are used to distinguish truth from falsity. The main issue is that various communities may apply different tests of validity. Therefore, it is possible to argue that the notion of truth is not a static phenomenon; on the contrary, it can vary and evolve considerably with time passing. It should be mentioned that the tests of justification can also...

Words: 1133 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Selection Process

...E: Steps involved in selection process (1) Application Blank—The application blank is invariably used as one of the selection tools. The applications are the starting point of the selection process. Where application forms i.e., application blanks are used the data can become a part of the employee's record is hired. Further it provides factual information needed for evaluating the candidate's suitability. Application blank contains written record of the following informations: (a) Identifying Information—Such a family background, date and place of birth, age, sex. height, citizenship, marital status etc. (b) Information regarding Education—It includes information, his academic career, subjects taken at various school certificate and degree levels, grade, division or place awarded in school and college, technical qualification etc. © Information regarding Experience—Giving full details of past jobs such as nature of work, job responsibilities, periods involved, designations, salaries with allowances, reasons for leaving the present assignment etc. (d) Expected salaries and allowances and other fringe benefits. (e) Information regarding Community Activities consisting of details regarding extra-curricular activities, hobbies, positions. 2. Preliminary Interview—Preliminary or initial interview is often held in case of "at the gate" candidates. This interview is usually of a short duration and is aimed at obtaining certain basic information with a view to identifying...

Words: 890 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Btm5000 Assignment 6

...This assignment requires the evaluation of two journal articles provided within this week's coursework. After reviewing the material provided, the student evaluated each article and completed an annotated bibliography for each. The annotated bibliographies listed not only cover the specific questions that should be considered, but also suggests the review of resources provided in the reference page. The student learned the importance of carefully reading scientific papers, and ensuring that annotated bibliographies provide enough information to assist the student with future assignments. Below are the two annotated bibliographies for review. Annotated Bibliography  Kozub, R. M. (2010). An ANOVA Analysis Of The Relationships Between Business Students' Learning Styles And Effectiveness Of Web Based Instruction. American Journal of Business Education, Vol. 3 Issue 3, 89-98. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/195909757?accountid=28180 This article investigates the impact and relationship that exists between learning styles and the effectiveness of business student performance in a web based learning environment. It evaluates how web based learning has gained acceptance within education, and the prevalence of online degree programs. With the variation in learning styles, this paper provides educational instructional designers with concepts to better serve online students. The study is comprised of 159 undergraduate students in Taxes and Personal...

Words: 681 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Sociology

...language ought to be utilized in precise way. In this course, the precise meaning of technical terms ought to be learned and then applied carefully, more so in undertaking examinations. A student of social science, a learner will be familiar with the idea of sociology as multi-paradigm discipline. Debates and controversies aside, the main divide in social research has been about the philosophical basis of sociological research and the right choice of social research methods. For instance, a learner will undertake to understand the divide between positivists and anti-positivists. The lecture will prove to be critical to a student to understanding the wider role of social research to the society. It will come out clear how most of various day-to-day activities depend on social research. The lecture will for instance...

Words: 2487 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Dualism Mind-Brain

...Social Sciences and Humanities prof. Coleridge Chris Final essay “Brain vs Mind” [pic] Alessandro Acquaviva E060478 INDEX The Mind-Brain Problem 3 Background of the problem 4 Evaluating the three proposed solutions 6 Weak Dualism 7 Strong Dualism 9 The relevance of Parapsychology 11 Conclusions 12 The Mind-Brain Problem The mind-brain problem raises the question as to whether the mind is no more than the idle side-effect of our brain processes or whether the mind can, in some degree, influence behaviour. Here we rehearse the arguments on both sides plus some recent attempts to eliminate mind altogether. However contentious, the philosophical problem, as distinct from the physiological problem, can be stated quite simply as follows: What, essentially, is the relationship between events in the brain and those private, subjective experiences that together constitute our inner mental life? We need not assume here that consciousness is synonymous with mind - consciousness may well be no more than just one aspect of mind - but, with respect to the problem at issue, it is the existence of consciousness that is critical. Stated thus, the problem admits of only three basic answers: 1) Events in the brain, operating in accordance with the laws of physics, determine completely both our behaviour and our subjective experiences. 2) Mental events may be elicited by events in the brain or they may, in turn, elicit brain events and so influence...

Words: 5362 - Pages: 22

Free Essay

Organizational Strategies

... * Logical linkages – helps the flow * Compare and Contrast – lets you see the similarities and differences between two things * Problem/Solution – makes the reader think and be all curious * Sequence – teaches us how stuff is done so you can appreciate the process * Cause and effect – this forces you to think since it’s trying to show you how the causes and effects are related. Use this link for additional information: http://www.slideshare.net/Notezilla/communication-studies-34424743 Use this link especially ! : http://www.cn.edu/libraries/tiny_mce/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/library/writing/16-simple-organization-strategies.pdf Organizational strategies are basic templates intended to serve as models for various academic purposes rather than descriptions of what writers actually do...

Words: 1997 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Alternative Medicines

...Alternative Medicine in the Philippines And Its Continued Popularity: A Study Bataan Peninsula State University Alternative Medicine in the Philippines And Its Continued Popularity The Philippines is one of the islands that were conquered by different countries back in the day. That is why a lot of foreign influences were brought up by those colonizations. One of them is alternative medicine. Alternative medicine is a variety of therapeutic or preventive health-care practices that are not typically taught or practiced in traditional medicinal communities and offer treatments that differ from standard medical practice. Homeopathy, herbal medicine, and acupuncture are types of alternative medicine. In particular, China was one of the countries that inhabited the Philippines. China and its traditional healing arts make up the integral part of Chinese culture. According to “The Practice of Shiatsu” (Anderson, 2008), acupuncture gradually took over in China as the primary form of medicine and traveled across Asia including the Philippines. As evidenced by the years of trade by the Philippines with China, the Philippines then inherit the traditional ways of healing through acupuncture that China practiced and it is still being practiced today. Alternative medicine was already popular back in history but it is taking popularity again nowadays. In order to understand what we know today, people go back to their roots and to the beginning of civilization. What we know...

Words: 2791 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Philosophy

...Philosophy Exam * When is a deductive argument conclusive? All the premises are true, No fallacies are committed, and it is valid. Which of the following is one of the criteria a deductive argument must meet in order to be conclusive (good)? -the argument must be valid * What are the 3 criteria that must be met for an appeal to experts to be legitimate? 1. Must be an expert in the relevant field, expertise on the issue 2. Consensus of experts in the field must agree. 3.Expert must be liable and agreeable, reliable and credible Suppose you decide to appeal to experts to answer a question. Which of the following is NOT one of the three criteria discussed in class that must be met for your appeal to authority to be likely to get you the truth? -the expert appealed to must have published work in the field. * What are the ways discussed in class to determine what the consensus of experts believe about an issue? Professional Journals * Why is it important to rely on a consensus rather than individual experts views? Some experts just start drama, past experts have been wrong. Why is it important to rely on consensus rather than individual experts views? -a consensus is more likely to be correct * How is truth defined in class? As defined in class, a statement is true and only true if it matches up with the way things are. * What are the main points of each of the Quickie Arguments? Morality does not equal legality...

Words: 2864 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Cost Benefit Analysis

...2003 REPORT OF THE COST-BENEFIT WORKING GROUP OF THE ANIMAL PROCEDURES COMMITTEE PREFACE Letter to the Minister from Michael Banner, Chair of the Animal Procedures Committee 17 June 2003 Dear Ms Flint ANIMAL PROCEDURES COMMITTEE: RECOMMENDATIONS ON COST-BENEFIT ASSESSMENT UNDER THE ANIMALS (SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURES) ACT 1986 On behalf of the Animal Procedures Committee I enclose the Committee’s report on cost-benefit assessment. In it we address the adequacy of the current cost-benefit assessment performed in the course of evaluating project licence applications. We have sought to look at the many issues which arise in relation to this important element of the regulation of the use of animals, but would draw attention to three particular aspects of our work. In the first place we have addressed the fundamental question as to scientific validity of the use of animals. We believe that our considerations and conclusions offer an important clarification of the debate and fulfil the request made by your predecessor, Mike O’Brien, to provide advice on this issue. Secondly, while we conclude that some uses of animals may yield scientific knowledge, we argue that this does not settle the question of justification. We go on to elucidate the full range of factors which must be considered for there to be a rigorous application of the cost-benefit assessment. Thirdly, we also consider how the practice and process of cost-benefit assessment can be enhanced so that it can be, and be seen to...

Words: 56267 - Pages: 226

Free Essay

United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea

...United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982 Introduction The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the most comprehensive attempt at creating a unified regime for governance of the rights of nations with respect to the world's oceans. The treaty addresses a number of topics including navigational rights, economic rights, pollution of the seas, conservation of marine life, scientific exploration, piracy, and more. The treaty, one of the longest in history, is comprised of 320 articles and 9 annexes, representing the codification of customary international law and its progressive development. Historical Background Since humanity first set forth upon the seas, the issue of sovereign control over the oceans has been an ongoing concern. Prior to the 20th century, the oceans had been subject to the freedom of the seas doctrine. This principle, adopted in the 17th century, limited national rights and jurisdiction over a narrow band of water along a nations coast, the rest of the sea being free to all and belonging to none. Nearly a century later, the "cannon-shot" rule became the basis for determining how much of the adjacent oceans were under the jurisdiction of a nation. The cannon-shot rule set forth that a nation controlled a territorial sea as far as a projectile could be fired from a cannon based on shore. In the 18th century this range was approximate three nautical miles. As time progressed, three miles became the widely accepted...

Words: 8576 - Pages: 35