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According to the principles of scientific evaluation described in the text, explain how scientists evaluate theories. Why do they focus on a body of research instead of waiting for a single perfect experiment?
Question: According to the principles of scientific evaluation described in the text, explain how scientists evaluate theories. Why do they focus on a body of research instead of waiting for a single perfect experiment?
Sample answer: Scientists evaluate theories by looking at the overall trends across a body of research rather than drawing strong conclusions from a single study. They do this because individual studies are often partially flawed, and by assessing a large number of these studies together, researchers can reach more meaningful conclusions than they could by waiting for a single perfect experiment.
Key points:
- Scientists evaluate theories by looking at overall trends across a body of research.
- Scientists avoid drawing strong conclusions based on the findings of one single study.
- Researchers reach more meaningful conclusions by assessing a large number of partially flawed studies rather than waiting for a single perfect experiment.
Rubric: To receive full credit, the response must identify that scientists look at overall trends across a body of research instead of a single study (1 point), note that individual studies are often partially flawed (1 point), and explain that assessing multiple flawed studies yields more meaningful conclusions than waiting for a single perfect experiment (1 point).
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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