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Introduction

This introduction provides an overview of the scientific method, including theory formulation, data collection, result summarization, and decision making. It also highlights the importance of using the scientific method in various situations.

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Introduction

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  1. Introduction Wed, Aug 31, 2005

  2. Introduction • Syllabus • Lectures • Assignments • Page xi – Interactive Exercises • Page xvi – Graphing Calculator

  3. The Scientific Method • Formulate a theory. • Collect some data. • Summarize the results. • Make a decision.

  4. The Scientific Method • Formulate a theory – Chapter 1. • Collect some data. • Summarize the results. • Make a decision.

  5. The Scientific Method • Formulate a theory – Chapter 1. • Collect some data – Chapters 2 – 3. • Summarize the results. • Make a decision.

  6. The Scientific Method • Formulate a theory – Chapter 1. • Collect some data – Chapters 2 – 3. • Summarize the results – Chapters 4 – 5. • Make a decision.

  7. The Scientific Method • Formulate a theory – Chapter 1. • Collect some data – Chapters 2 – 3. • Summarize the results – Chapters 4 – 5. • Make a decision – Chapters 6 – 14.

  8. The Scientific Method • Formulate a theory – Chapter 1. • Collect some data – Chapters 2 – 3. • Summarize the results – Chapters 4 – 5. • Make a decision – Chapters 6 – 14. • Theoretical underpinnings – Chapters 6 – 8. • Making decisions in a variety of situations – Chapters 9 – 14.

  9. Formulate a Theory • This example is taken from Chapter 14, p. 941. • Based on reports from patients, researchers formulate the theory that the following allergy-relief medications cause insomnia in some patients. • Claritin-D • Loratadine • Pseudoephedrine

  10. Formulate a Theory • This theory will be tested by posing it as a question with two competing answers. • Question: Do these medications cause insomnia?

  11. Formulate a Theory • The possible answers are stated more precisely as two competing hypotheses: • “Null:” There is no difference in the insomnia rates among users of these medications nor between them and non-users. • “Research:” There are differences in the insomnia rates.

  12. Collect Some Data • 3036 subjects, some users and some non-users, were studied.

  13. Summarize the Results • We use some fancy formulas, or use the TI-83, and compute a special quantity: 2 = 154.22.

  14. Summarize the Results • We use some fancy formulas, or use the TI-83, and compute a special quantity: 2 = 154.22. • (If there really is no difference in the insomnia rates, then we “expect” this calculation to yield the value 3, plus or minus a bit.)

  15. Make a Decision • We compare this to a value that we look up in a table, or use the TI-83: Critical value = 7.815. • Since 2 is larger than the critical value, we conclude that the “research” hypothesis is correct: There is a difference in the insomnia rates.

  16. Some Questions • Does this procedure prove that the medications caused the insomnia? • Does it show that the insomnia rates were higher for the groups that took the medications?

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