Test Your Knowledge of Scientific Objectivity Module 4 topic 3

Study Notes

Science is a way of understanding the structure and behaviour of the universe.
Objectivity assumes that a truth or independent reality exists outside of any investigation or observation.
Objectivity implies a lack of bias, judgment, or prejudice on the part of the researcher.
Objective knowledge should be a true reflection of reality.
Objectivity is an ideal for scientific inquiry.
Science relies on accurate observation, generation of hypothesis, measurement and experimentation before any conclusions can be drawn.
Of course, logic and reasoning (rationality) have an important role in scientific inquiry, but science goes beyond accepting explanations because they seem reasonable.
Inductive reasoning is often used by the researcher to generate hypotheses, but these tentative hypotheses cannot be accepted unless they are confirmed by rigorous testing through experiments.
Deductive logic relies on using established knowledge to derive new knowledge.
Objectivity requires that the claims, methods and results of science are not or should not be influenced by one's perspectives, value commitments, community bias or personal interests.
However, this is sometimes easier said than done.
Science is an attempt to understand the natural world, and the methods used in science are based on empirical evidence.
The concept of scientific objectivity is somewhat of a myth, as it is an ideal to work towards.
However, modern society generally views scientific knowledge as being more reliable than claims arising from speculation, religion and metaphysics.

Description

This quiz tests your knowledge of the concepts of objectivity and scientific inquiry. It asks questions about the definition of objectivity, the importance of it in scientific research, and the ways in which it can be compromised.