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Knowledge in the Sciences
Quick questions on The scientific method explained: H2 Knowledge and Inquiry
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the inductivist picture?Show answer
The traditional picture, often called naive inductivism, holds that science proceeds in stages: scientists observe the world without prejudice, collect a large body of data, and then generalise inductively to laws and theories that the data support. On this view, theory is built up from neutral observation, and the more confirming instances accumulate, the more secure the theory. It is an appealing image of science as careful, bottom-up fact-gathering.
What is the hypothetico-deductive model?Show answer
A more accurate model is hypothetico-deductive. Science begins not with data but with a hypothesis, however it is conceived (guess, analogy, inspiration). From the hypothesis, together with auxiliary assumptions, the scientist deduces observable predictions. These predictions are then tested by experiment or observation.
What is q1?Show answer
State two reasons why naive inductivism is an inadequate account of scientific method. [6 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Describe the stages of the hypothetico-deductive method. [6 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain the asymmetry between confirming and refuting a scientific hypothesis. [8 marks]
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