The scientific method is at the core of contemporary psychology and it is a very
ID: 3496607 • Letter: T
Question
The scientific method is at the core of contemporary psychology and it is a very powerful tool for unraveling the complexity of human behavior. Research methods are a remarkable intellectual and cultural achievement; they are the techniques that scientists have developed to protect themselves from being fooled. However, it is important to be mindful about the limitations of the scientific methodology In this discussion, address the following and explain your perspective: 1. Reflect on specific limitations of the scientific 2. Does the scientific method works well for studying 3. Is the scientific method a predominantly Western method some phenomena but not others? approach to discovering the truth? Are there any better alternatives? 4. Although the scientific method has many limitations, do you think that it is still the best way to generate valid and reliable knowledge? Please support you argument with reliable online references (remember to provide citation for your source). Overall, you should have 6-7 paragraphs with 100 words minimum per paragraph. All regular discussions must include an original post of at least 600 words, citation of at least two (2) outside sources, and a minimum of two (2) reply posts of at least 250 words each, by the due date listed in the course calendar. Each is worth a maximum of 6.5 pointsExplanation / Answer
1. To understand the limitations in the scientific method, one must become familiar with the scientific method and its components.
The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions. A scientific method must include observable, empirical and testable data, and must allow other experts to test the hypothesis.
Limitations of Scientific Method-Due to the need to have completely controlled experiments to test a hypothesis, science cannot prove everything. For example, ideas about God and other supernatural beings can never be confirmed or denied, as no experiment exists that could test their presence. Supporters of Intelligent Design attempt to convey their beliefs as scientific, but nonetheless the scientific method can never prove this. Science is meant to give us a better understanding of the mysteries of the natural world, by refuting previous hypotheses, and the existence of supernatural beings lies outside of science all together. Another limitation of the scientific method is when it comes making judgements about whether certain scientific phenomenons are "good" or "bad". For example, the scientific method cannot alone say that global warming is bad or harmful to the world, as it can only study the objective causes and consequences. Furthermore, science cannot answer questions about morality, as scientific results lay out of the scope of cultural, religious and social influences.
2.Yes. It is true that scientific methods work well for studying certain phenomena and not others. This is because 3.some areas of science can be more easily tested than others For example, scientists studying how stars change as they age or how dinosaurs digested their food cannot fast-forward a star's life by a million years or run medical exams on feeding dinosaurs to test their hypotheses. When direct experimentation is not possible, scientists modify the scientific method. In fact, there are probably as many versions of the scientific method as there are scientists! But even when modified, the goal remains the same: to discover cause and effect relationships by asking questions, carefully gathering and examining the evidence, and seeing if all the available information can be combined in to a logical answer
3. No. Scientific method is not an western Approach to discover truths. It may be true that lots of scientific experiments and tests are carried out more in Western countries, It cannot be termed as entirely an Western Approach. Scientific Method is an universal phenomenon and lots of research on science through scientific experimentation is being carried out in other parts of the world.
4. Inspite of several limitations on the part of scientific methods, it is still the best way to generate valid and reliable knowledge. Experiments are carried out under same conditions repeatedly to ensure the consistency and reliability of the results.