Overview

This concise book provides an introduction to the scientific method of inquiry. This book not only presents not only a methodical approach to the proper conduct of science but also contains comprehensive coverage of pseudoscience and fallacies. Compact enough to be used as a supplementary book, yet comprehensive enough in its coverage to be used as a core text, this text assists students in using the scientific method to design and assess experiments.

Full Product Details

Author:   Stephen S. Carey
Publisher:   Cengage Learning, Inc
Imprint:   Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc
Edition:   3rd Revised edition
Dimensions:   Width: 16.20cm , Height: 1.20cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.249kg
ISBN:  

9780534584504

ISBN 10:   0534584500
Pages:   160
Publication Date:   17 March 2003
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  General ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

Preface. 1. SCIENCE. Just What Is Science? Asking Why. Scientific Method. The Consequences of Science. Scientific Method in Daily Life. Exercises. 2. OBSERVATION. Making Accurate Observations. Anomalous Phenomena. Observation and Anomalous Phenomena. The Burden of Proof. Summary. Exercises. 3. PROPOSING EXPLANATIONS. Explanation. Causes. Correlation. Causal Mechanisms. Underlying Processes. Laws. Function. The Interdependence of Explanatory Methods. Rival Explanations and Ockham's Razor. Explanation and Description. Summary. Exercises. 4. TESTING EXPLANATIONS. The Basic Method. How to Test an Explanation. How Not to Test an Explanation. Testing Extraordinary Claims. Summary. Exercises. 5. ESTABLISHING CAUSAL LINKS. Causal Studies. Limited Effect Levels. Multiple Causal Factors. Bias and Expectation. Types of Causal Study. Reading Between the Lines. Summary. Exercises. 6. FALLACIES IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE. What Is a Fallacy? False Anomalies. Questionable Arguments by Elimination. Illicit Causal Inferences. Unsupported Analogies and Similarities. Untestable Explanations. Redundant Predictions. Ad Hoc Rescues. Science and Pseudoscience. The Limits of Scientific Explanation. Summary. Exercises. Further Reading. Index.

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