Read the following paragraph and answer the questions:
The term science may be thought of as an approach to the gathering of knowledge rather than as a field or subject matter. Science, put simply, consists of two primary functions: (1) the development of theory and (2) the testing of substantive hypotheses that are deduced from theory. The scientist, therefore, is engaged in the use, modification, and/or creation of theory. The scientist may emphasize an empirical approach in which data collection is the primary method, a rational approach in which logical and deductive reasoning is primary, or a combination of these approaches, which is most common. Regardless of the emphasis the scientist begins with a set of ideas that direct the effort and with a goal that entails the development or testing of theory.
By attempting to apply the rigorous, systematic observation analysis used in the physical and biological sciences to areas of social behavior, the social sciences have grown and have advanced humanity's knowledge of itself. The fields of anthropology, economics, education, political science, psychology, and social psychology have become recognized as sciences by many authorities. To the extent that these fields are founded on scientific methodology, they are sciences. Some reject this concept, still defining science in terms of subject matter rather than methodology. Historically their position can be readily explained. Because scientific methods were first used in the investigation of physical phenomena, tradition has identified science with the physical world. Only within the last century has the methodology of science been applied to the study of various areas of human behavior. Because these are newer areas of investigation, their results have not achieved the acceptance and status that come with the greater maturity and longer tradition of the physical sciences.
The uniformity of nature is a reasonable assumption in the world of physical objects and their characteristics, but in the area of social behavior such assumptions are not warranted. Human nature is much more complex than the sum of its many discrete elements, even if they could be isolated and identified. Because human nature is so complex, it is much more difficult to develop sound theories of human behavior than to predict occurrences in the physical world.
Uniformity Assumption in Physical Objects
The provided text states that "The uniformity of nature is a reasonable assumption in the world of physical objects and their characteristics". This means that in the physical realm, observed patterns and properties tend to be consistent.
Reasonable Generalizations in the Physical World
Because nature is assumed to be uniform in the physical world, scientists can make generalizations. These generalizations are based on the observation that physical phenomena behave predictably under similar conditions. This predictability allows for the formulation of theories and hypotheses that are widely applicable to physical objects.
Analysis of Options
Based on the text, the assumption of the uniformity of nature in the world of physical objects directly supports the idea that generalizations can be made reliably in this domain.
- Option 2, "makes generalizations reasonable in the physical world", aligns with this interpretation. The text explicitly calls uniformity a "reasonable assumption" for physical objects.
- Option 1 is incorrect because uniformity assumptions are stated as *not* warranted in social behavior, making science more complex, not easy.
- Option 3 is incorrect; the recognition of fields like anthropology and education as sciences is attributed to their adoption of scientific methodology, not the uniformity assumption in physical objects.
- Option 4 is incorrect as the text implies this assumption is based on observation and is reasonable, suggesting it is testable through consistent results.
Important Questions from Scientific Method of research - Teaching
- Scientific Observations are based on ________.
- Arrange the steps of scientific research.
A. General research questions
B. Collection of data
C. Analysis of data
D. Review of related literature
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: - In phenomenology, consensus among persons about a perception relates to the concept of:
- Why prediction of human behaviour is not easy?
- Which of the following statement is CORRECT according to the paragraph?
