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What is the third and ultimate objective of science as described in the research methods literature? In your response, outline the specific tasks researchers must perform to achieve this objective, and explain how it differs from the other goals of science like observation and prediction.
Question: What is the third and ultimate objective of science as described in the research methods literature? In your response, outline the specific tasks researchers must perform to achieve this objective, and explain how it differs from the other goals of science like observation and prediction.
Sample answer: The third and ultimate objective of science is to explain phenomena. To achieve this goal, researchers must move beyond mere observation and prediction to determine the precise causes of behavior. This involves striving to uncover and isolate the underlying mechanisms and causal relationships in order to understand exactly why and how an event occurs.
Key points:
- The third and ultimate goal of science is to explain phenomena.
- It involves determining the precise causes of behavior.
- It moves beyond mere observation and prediction.
- Researchers must uncover and isolate underlying mechanisms and causal relationships.
- The objective is to understand exactly why and how an event occurs.
Rubric: Grading Rubric: - Explains that the third and ultimate objective of science is to explain phenomena (2 points). - Notes that it involves determining the precise causes of behavior, moving beyond mere observation and prediction (2 points). - States that researchers must strive to uncover and isolate the underlying mechanisms and causal relationships to understand exactly why and how an event occurs (2 points).
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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