Concept explainers
Compare and contrast the nonscientific methods for knowing or acquiring knowledge (tenacity, intuition, authority, the rational method, and the empirical method). Identify an example and explain the limitations of each method.
Consider the following questions.
Does multitasking make you more efficient with your time?
Does having more friends make you less vulnerable to depression?
Are children of divorced parents less likely to be satisfied with their romantic relationships?
Are girls more likely to cyberbully than boys?
Does eating cake for breakfast make dieters more likely to stick to their diets later in the day?
Are adolescents who play violent video games more aggressive than adolescents who do not play violent video games?
Does playing brain games in adulthood make it less likely you will develop Alzheimer’s?

Compare and differentiate the non-scientific methods for acquiring knowledge. Identify an example and explain the limitation of each method.
Answer to Problem 1LO
Solution:
Scientific method means a stepped and logically fixed process for acquiring knowledge and understanding knowledge. The method of acquiring knowledge which is not scientific is termed as non-scientific.
Explanation of Solution
The non-scientific method does not have logically set procedures. The non-scientific ways of obtaining knowledge are explained as under -
- Tenacity:
- Intuition:
- Authority:
- Rational Method:
- Empirical Method:
Tenacity means what has been true in the past holds firmly to the belief and is expressed as "it has always been so".
Intuition means that something which just stands to reason. It involves use of rational processes with the experience benefit.
Authority means the process of established belief based on the prominent source.
It states that truth is intellectual. The process of rational decision making involves the consideration to all factors which are affected.
It is a method wherein knowledge is acquired through one's own experience and learning.
Example of non-scientific method to acquire knowledge is the speeches of the politicians − Authority.
Limitations of each method:
- Tenacity:
- Intuition:
- Authority:
- Rational Method:
- Empirical Method:
It does not support evaluation.
It means belief from within. Belief is unsupported by objective evidences.
The established belief on which it is based may be wrong.
It can construct logical arguments for both sides of debate. Hence, it cannot be completely relied upon.
While using this method, it is difficult to be an objective observer.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 1 Solutions
RESEARCH METHODS F/ BEHAV.(LL)-W/MINTAP
Additional Math Textbook Solutions
Elementary Statistics (13th Edition)
Basic Business Statistics, Student Value Edition
Algebra and Trigonometry (6th Edition)
Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: Concepts and Applications (7th Edition)
Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World (7th Edition)
Probability And Statistical Inference (10th Edition)
- You want to compare the average number of tines on the antlers of male deer in two nearby metro parks. A sample of 30 deer from the first park shows an average of 5 tines with a population standard deviation of 3. A sample of 35 deer from the second park shows an average of 6 tines with a population standard deviation of 3.2. Find a 95 percent confidence interval for the difference in average number of tines for all male deer in the two metro parks (second park minus first park).Do the parks’ deer populations differ in average size of deer antlers?arrow_forwardSuppose that you want to increase the confidence level of a particular confidence interval from 80 percent to 95 percent without changing the width of the confidence interval. Can you do it?arrow_forwardA random sample of 1,117 U.S. college students finds that 729 go home at least once each term. Find a 98 percent confidence interval for the proportion of all U.S. college students who go home at least once each term.arrow_forward
- Suppose that you make two confidence intervals with the same data set — one with a 95 percent confidence level and the other with a 99.7 percent confidence level. Which interval is wider?Is a wide confidence interval a good thing?arrow_forwardIs it true that a 95 percent confidence interval means you’re 95 percent confident that the sample statistic is in the interval?arrow_forwardTines can range from 2 to upwards of 50 or more on a male deer. You want to estimate the average number of tines on the antlers of male deer in a nearby metro park. A sample of 30 deer has an average of 5 tines, with a population standard deviation of 3. Find a 95 percent confidence interval for the average number of tines for all male deer in this metro park.Find a 98 percent confidence interval for the average number of tines for all male deer in this metro park.arrow_forward
- Based on a sample of 100 participants, the average weight loss the first month under a new (competing) weight-loss plan is 11.4 pounds with a population standard deviation of 5.1 pounds. The average weight loss for the first month for 100 people on the old (standard) weight-loss plan is 12.8 pounds, with population standard deviation of 4.8 pounds. Find a 90 percent confidence interval for the difference in weight loss for the two plans( old minus new) Whats the margin of error for your calculated confidence interval?arrow_forwardA 95 percent confidence interval for the average miles per gallon for all cars of a certain type is 32.1, plus or minus 1.8. The interval is based on a sample of 40 randomly selected cars. What units represent the margin of error?Suppose that you want to decrease the margin of error, but you want to keep 95 percent confidence. What should you do?arrow_forward3. (i) Below is the R code for performing a X2 test on a 2×3 matrix of categorical variables called TestMatrix: chisq.test(Test Matrix) (a) Assuming we have a significant result for this procedure, provide the R code (including any required packages) for an appropriate post hoc test. (b) If we were to apply this technique to a 2 × 2 case, how would we adapt the code in order to perform the correct test? (ii) What procedure can we use if we want to test for association when we have ordinal variables? What code do we use in R to do this? What package does this command belong to? (iii) The following code contains the initial steps for a scenario where we are looking to investigate the relationship between age and whether someone owns a car by using frequencies. There are two issues with the code - please state these. Row3<-c(75,15) Row4<-c(50,-10) MortgageMatrix<-matrix(c(Row1, Row4), byrow=T, nrow=2, MortgageMatrix dimnames=list(c("Yes", "No"), c("40 or older","<40")))…arrow_forward
- Describe the situation in which Fisher’s exact test would be used?(ii) When do we use Yates’ continuity correction (with respect to contingencytables)?[2 Marks] 2. Investigate, checking the relevant assumptions, whether there is an associationbetween age group and home ownership based on the sample dataset for atown below:Home Owner: Yes NoUnder 40 39 12140 and over 181 59Calculate and evaluate the effect size.arrow_forwardNot use ai pleasearrow_forwardNeed help with the following statistic problems.arrow_forward
- Glencoe Algebra 1, Student Edition, 9780079039897...AlgebraISBN:9780079039897Author:CarterPublisher:McGraw HillHolt Mcdougal Larson Pre-algebra: Student Edition...AlgebraISBN:9780547587776Author:HOLT MCDOUGALPublisher:HOLT MCDOUGALBig Ideas Math A Bridge To Success Algebra 1: Stu...AlgebraISBN:9781680331141Author:HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURTPublisher:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Linear Algebra: A Modern IntroductionAlgebraISBN:9781285463247Author:David PoolePublisher:Cengage Learning




