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    Scientific Methods: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Scientific Methods: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Scientific Methods: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Ebook102 pages1 hour

    Scientific Methods: A Tutorial Study Guide

    By Nicoladie Tam

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    About this ebook

    “Scientific Methods” is a part of the college-level Principles of Biology course series and the Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks.  It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format to describe the methods for investigating and studying biological and natural science.

    It is a study guide with in-depth explanations.  Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherNicoladie Tam
    Release dateJun 13, 2015
    ISBN9781301898688
    Scientific Methods: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Author

    Nicoladie Tam

    Dr. Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., is a writer and a professor who does research in emotions and the brain.  She is an expert in neuropsychology, neurophysiology, brain imaging, computational neuroscience, and bioengineering.  She has a Ph.D. degree in Physiology, and three Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science, Physics and Astrophysics.  She has also been a suicide and crisis counselor, with extensive counseling experience in relationships and crisis management.  She is also a life coach, who does relationship coaching and executive coaching, inspires others in achieving the very best.

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      Book preview

      Scientific Methods - Nicoladie Tam

      Preface

      Scientific Methods is a part of the college-level Principles of Biology course series and the Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks.  It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format to describe the methods for investigating and studying biological and natural science.

      It is a study guide with in-depth explanations.  Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.

      *~*~*~*~*

      Textbooks by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., in the Principles of Biology course series:

      Principles of Biology textbook in one volume:

      Principles of Biology: Animal Systems

      ISBN 9781301691739

      Individual chapters of the Principles of Biology textbook series:

      Biological System

      ISBN 9781301003891

      Scientific Methods

      ISBN 9781301898688

      Biological Principles

      ISBN 9781310803666

      Origin of Species

      ISBN 9781301352456

      Nervous System

      ISBN 9781301053025

      Neuron

      ISBN 9781301119646

      Action Potential

      ISBN 9781301115372

      Synapse

      ISBN 9781301374120

      Reflex

      ISBN 9781301991266

      Neurotransmitter

      ISBN 9781301268610

      Sensory System

      ISBN 9781301660070

      Motor System

      ISBN 9781301500895

      Endocrine System

      ISBN 9781301642939

      Reproductive System

      ISBN 9781301424078

      Circulatory System

      ISBN 9781301262410

      Respiratory System

      ISBN 9781301805389

      Immune System

      ISBN 9781301452309

      Renal System

      ISBN 9781301927111

      Digestive System

      ISBN 9781301317097

      Textbooks by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., in the Neuropsychopharmacology course series:

      Neuropsychopharmacology textbook in one volume:

      Neuropsychopharmacology

      ISBN 9781311596178

      Individual chapters of Neuropsychopharmacology textbook series:

      Neuropsychopharmacology: An Introduction

      ISBN 9781301482733

      Scientific Methods

      ISBN 9781301898688

      Mind-Brain Connection

      ISBN 9781301903405

      Pharmacology: In Introduction

      ISBN 9781301843534

      Pharmacokinetics

      ISBN 9781301010776

      Dose-Response Curve

      ISBN 9781301541812

      Learning Mechanisms

      ISBN 9781301729531

      Cognitive Learning

      ISBN 9781301966455

      Experimental Methods in Neuropsychopharmacology

      ISBN 9781301966455

      Brain Imaging Techniques

      ISBN 9781311863638

      Nervous System

      ISBN 9781301053025

      Neuron

      ISBN 9781301119646

      Action Potential

      ISBN 9781301115372

      Synapse

      ISBN 9781301374120

      Reflex

      ISBN 9781301991266

      Neurotransmitter

      ISBN 9781301268610

      Neurotransmitter Pathways

      ISBN 9781301696666

      Cytoplasmic Release of Neurotransmitters

      ISBN 9781311978615

      Executive Functions

      ISBN 9781301125968

      ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      ISBN 9781301318445

      Schizophrenia

      ISBN 9781301972692

      Affective Disorders: Depression, Mania and Bipolar Disorder

      ISBN 9781311988416

      Anxiety Disorders

      ISBN 9781311060419

      *~*~*~*~*

      Table of Contents

      Cover Page

      Preface

      Scientific Methods

      Objectives of Science

      Logical Deduction and Induction

      Scientific Process

      Scientific Methodology

      Hypothesis Testing

      Experimental Methods

      Theory Proving

      Critical Thinking

      Creative Thinking

      Scientific Methods: Review

      About the Author

      Other Books Published by the Author

      *~*~*~*~*

      1. 

      Scientific Methods

      Objectives

      Understand the basic scientific principles

      Understand the methodologies used in scientific inquiries

      Understand the process in the discovery of truth in nature

      Understand the process to prove and disprove a hypothesis

      Apply the scientific process in discovering the principles of biology

      Concepts to Learn

      Logical deductions and inductions

      Steps involved in a scientific process

      Experimental process:

      How to pose hypotheses

      How to test hypotheses

      How to arrive at logically consistent conclusions

      When to refute a hypothesis

      When to refine a hypothesis

      Theoretical process:

      How to pose conjectures

      How to prove theories

      Know the difference between conjectures, hypothesis and theories

      How to find out nature’s truth

      Self-consistence and self-contradictions in logical deductions

      Critical thinking process

      Creative thinking process

      Science is about finding the truth in nature.  It is about understanding nature with an objective approach so that the explanation is logically consistent.  This allows us to arrive at the truth of nature without bias.  Without using an objective approach in our reasoning process, the explanation of natural phenomena could be misleading due to our subjectivity in perception.  This could lead to myths and misunderstandings.  If these misunderstandings persist, then the false truth will misguide us to behave irrationally.

      The scientific methodology is a systematic approach to apply the logical reasoning process such that it will ensure the conclusion made is valid and logically consistent rather than absurdity.  If we follow the principles of science in our rational thinking, then the explanation of how nature works will be logical and objective, as well as verifiable by others.  This process ensures the discovery and understanding of natural phenomena is explained in a logically consistent manner.  In doing so, the truth of nature is revealed, and myths dispelled.

      In this chapter, we will cover the basic principles of rational thinking in science.  Logical reasoning is the basic thinking process that enables human to process information, and acquire knowledge.  We will address the two basic approaches in logical thinking — using deductive logic and inductive logic.  The former is a top-down approach while the latter is a bottom-up approach in the logical reasoning process.  Neither one is better than the other intrinsically; they are merely different approaches.

      This leads to the second characteristics in scientific inquiry, which is the application of alternate approaches and alternate explanations to address and investigate the same phenomenon without contradicting each other.  In fact, it is the ability to use

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