Research and the Scientific Method

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Questions and Answers

What is the most accurate definition of science, based on the provided text?

Knowledge gained through philosophical debate.

Knowledge attained through study or practice, particularly using the scientific method. (correct)

Knowledge acquired through personal experience.

Knowledge that is absolute and unchanging.

What is the primary purpose of research in the context of EMS?

To promote biased opinions.

To make the practice of EMS more artistic and less scientific.

To confirm existing beliefs within the EMS community.

To understand the effectiveness, or ineffectiveness, of EMS practices and principles. (correct)

What is the essence of the 'art' of EMS?

The strictly theoretical knowledge of EMS.

The unproven methods of EMS.

The procedures based on individual intuition of the EMS provider.

The method of applying known science of EMS. (correct)

What is the fundamental characteristic of the scientific method that makes it reliable?

It is unbiased, reproducible, and consistent when correctly used. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the scientific method, as described in the text?

Observing a phenomenon and asking a relevant question. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes what one should do after observing a phenomenon and asking a question using the scientific method?

Find prior relevant studies and publications, through various means. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text recommend doing when beginning research on a focused topic?

To check if your questions have previously been addressed through existing research. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the logical next step after collecting data.

Analyze and synthesize that data. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of constructing a hypothesis in the scientific method?

To state a specific, testable question that the study will answer. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to define the parameters of an experiment clearly?

To ensure the experiment is a fair test and reproducible. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'fair test' in an experiment mean?

Changing just one variable at a time while keeping other conditions the same. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for an experiment to be 'reproducible'?

That anyone can perform the same experiment in the same way and get the same results. (D) Signup and view all the answers

If the analysis of your study proves the hypothesis to be incorrect, what should you do next?

Refine the hypothesis and run more tests, or construct a new hypothesis. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to share the findings of a research study, regardless of the outcome?

To encourage scientific discussion and further add insight to the findings and hypothesis. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to the process where a scientist might revise aspects of their study and repeat a step in the scientific method?

Iterative process (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did the study in the content initially define a 'full moon' for the study on psychiatric calls?

A five-day period that begins 2 days prior to the full moon and ends two days after. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of statistical analysis in research?

To establish statistical significance of any experimental outcomes. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the psychiatric call study detailed in the content, what was the final conclusion?

Psychiatric emergencies are slightly less common during full moons. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Science and the Scientific Method

Science is defined as knowledge gained through study or practice.
Research is the systematic study to discover or establish facts and principles.
EMS is a blend of science (knowledge) and art (application).
The scientific method is a process for constructing an accurate representation of the world, requiring reliability, consistency, and non-arbitrariness.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Observe and Ask Questions: Identify a phenomenon and pose a question about it. An example is observing more psychiatric calls during full moons.
Conduct Research: Gather background information through resources like the internet, scientific databases (like PubMed). Examine existing studies on a similar topic.
Construct a Hypothesis: Formulate a specific, measurable question that addresses the initial observation. Example: "Psychiatric emergencies are more common during full moon phases."
Test the Hypothesis by Experimentation: Design a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis. Key to this step is defining variables (in the example: psychiatric call definition, full moon definition, time frame for study).
Analyze Results and Draw Conclusions: Statistical analysis of data determines if the hypothesis is supported or refuted.
Revise the Hypothesis: If results don't support the hypothesis, revise it to reflect the findings. If results support the hypothesis, consider refining a variable or running the experiment again.
Report Results: Share findings, even if the initial hypothesis was proven false, in peer-reviewed journals. This facilitates scientific discussion and further research.

Iterative Process

The scientific method is iterative; the process may require revisiting steps as new information becomes available.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of science and the steps of the scientific method. Test your understanding of the processes involved in scientific inquiry, including observation, research, and hypothesis testing. It's essential for anyone interested in the scientific field or conducting their own experiments.