ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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From the Skeptics Society:
Words dealing with concepts and ideas.
==============================
Hypothesis: A testable statement to account for a set of observations .
Theory: A well-supported testable statement to account for a set of observations.
Fact: Data or conclusions confirmed to such an extent that it would be
reasonable to offer temporary agreement.
A hypothesis and theory may be contrasted with a construct: a non-testable
statement to account for a set of observations. The observation of living
organisms on Earth may be accounted for by God or by evolution. The first
statement is a construct, the second a theory. Most biologists would even call
evolution a fact by the above definition.
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The foundations of science. We do what we can to follow these idea(l?)s.
Lisa Jo Rudy wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> That sounds convincing, but I'm not sure it's correct when applied to
> social/behavioral research. I've noticed, for example, that many "standardized"
> tests for, say, cognitive achievement, are culturally biased.
>
> Interestingly to me, I had a Ph.D. researcher from a major university come to
> our home to implement an IRB-reviewed protocol with our (mildly autistic)
> son. She was testing to see whether autistic children grasp the notion that
> others may think differently than they do. She showed pictures of foods, and
> asked, for example, whether "most children your age would prefer this (carrots) or
> that (wrapped hershey kisses)." Now, the fact is that most American kids can
> identify a "hershey kiss" as a silver-wrapped pyramidal object. My son did,
> and got the answer "right." But what if she were testing a child who didn't
> happen to have exposure to "hershey kisses?"
>
> I've seen similar standardized tests that ask questions like -- who should
> wear a tie? a mommy or a daddy? hm. in our house, neither one! (dad is a
> professor who wears jeans and an open-neck shirt to work!)
>
> I guess what I'm saying is that standardized, lab-verified tests aren't
> always as absolute as one might prefer them to be.
> The time consuming simple process of systematically
> accumulating raw data in a lab or in the field then combined and checked
> with other scientists data in order to create a body of work that is tested
> over a period of time is what is meant by "Facts". It is not subjective.
>
> Lisa Jo Rudy, Writer/Consultant
> 625 Chelten Hills Drive
> Elkins Park, PA 19027
> http://www.lisarudy.com/
> 215-635-9735
>
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--
Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
"I know that defies the law of gravity, but, you see, I never
studied the law of gravity." -- Bugs Bunny
Web Page: <home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews>
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More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
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