Several hypotheses may fit every set of data. what is important to know when you hear about a new scientific finding? NUmber the following in order of their importance.
__ who paid for the research?
__ the education of the scientist completing the study
__ how much data did the scientist collect?
__ was the research biased?
__ has the reasearch been repeated?
__ was the experiment a controlled experiment?
Briefly explain why u selected the order?
I'd rank "who paid for the research" as # 1. I wouldn't trust a pharmaceutical company that pays for research for its own drug.
and what about others?
What do you think?
i don't know ........plz help
All of those are important. You need to use your knowledge and judgment to determine which are most important to you.
thanks
You're welcome.
Ms Sue wrote: I'd rank "who paid for the research" as # 1. I wouldn't trust a pharmaceutical company that pays for research for its own drug.
Um, I'm no great fan of the pharma companies, but for the record, they pay for most of their own research, and we benefit from the results. The poster asks about hypotheses and data generally, where the explanation may vary. Lots of valid research gets paid for by interested parties...it's only if the results are particularly controversial or contested that we need to look for biases. Also, "the education of the scientist completing the study" is irrelevant in science. All that matters is that the work is good enough to be published in a refereed journal. Aside from MDs, in fact, scientific journals won't generally allow someone to list their degrees when submitting a paper--for exactly the reason that the work is to be evaluated on its own merits.
Thank you for your insights, Joe.
Order of Importance:
1. Was the research biased?
2. Who paid for the research?
3. Has the research been repeated?
4. Was the experiment a controlled experiment?
5. How much data did the scientist collect?
6. The education of the scientist completing the study.
Explanation:
1. Was the research biased?
This is the most important factor to consider when evaluating a new scientific finding. Bias can significantly affect the results and conclusions of a study. It is crucial to assess whether any conflicts of interest, personal beliefs, or external pressures may have influenced the research.
2. Who paid for the research?
The source of funding can also influence the objectivity and reliability of the findings. Understanding who provided financial support allows for better recognition of any potential biases or vested interests that may have influenced the study.
3. Has the research been repeated?
Reproducibility is a fundamental principle of science. Repetition of the research by independent scientists is essential to validate the findings and ensure they are reliable. If a study has been successfully replicated, it adds credibility to the initial results.
4. Was the experiment a controlled experiment?
A controlled experiment is one in which the variables are carefully manipulated and controlled to isolate the effects being studied. This helps to establish cause-and-effect relationships. High-quality research often employs controlled experiments, making this an important consideration.
5. How much data did the scientist collect?
The amount of data collected is important to evaluate the statistical significance and reliability of the findings. A larger sample size generally leads to more reliable results.
6. The education of the scientist completing the study.
While the education and expertise of a scientist are relevant, they are comparatively less important for evaluating the validity of a new scientific finding. The focus should be on the scientific process, methodology, and transparency rather than solely on the scientist's qualifications. Scientific findings should be judged on their own merit and not based solely on the scientist's educational background.