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A scientist finds that a new medication reduces chronic headaches. To achieve the explanatory goal of science, propose two specific, testable mechanisms the scientist could investigate next, similar to how researchers might study the effects of marijuana on pain.
Question: A scientist finds that a new medication reduces chronic headaches. To achieve the explanatory goal of science, propose two specific, testable mechanisms the scientist could investigate next, similar to how researchers might study the effects of marijuana on pain.
Sample answer: To achieve the explanatory goal, the scientist could test whether the medication directly reduces physical swelling of blood vessels in the brain, or if it instead works by blocking the transmission of pain signals to the nervous system. These approaches seek to explain the causal pathways of the headache relief rather than just noting the correlation.
Key points:
- Proposes a first specific, testable mechanism (e.g., physiological change).
- Proposes a second specific, testable mechanism (e.g., neurological or psychological change).
- Demonstrates understanding that explanatory research tests causal pathways.
Rubric: Award full credit if the student provides two distinct, plausible causal mechanisms (e.g., physical vs. neurological/psychological) for the drug's effect, demonstrating an understanding of seeking explanatory pathways beyond correlation.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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