For this week’s Real World Application task, study the material in the
three documents “Levels of Evidence”, “Empiricism”, and “Galileo, Newton,
and James”. Once you have done that, complete the assignment Real World
Application of the Scientific Method.
Levels of Evidence/Support
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Level 5
– Provides the best, most recent, and soundest scientific studies, facts, statistics, and theories to support the thesis.
– Provides the best, most recent, and most scientific studies, facts, statistics, and theories that counter the thesis.
– Assesses the methodology and its limitations that were used in the scientific studies.
– Offers possible reconciliations of thesis with contrary evidence, or offers a new and better thesis that supersedes the
former one.
– Undertakes to find or create additional or new independent scientific research regarding the thesis claim.
– Proportions the thesis claims to the best known evidence.
Level 4
– Provides recognized authorities and used them appropriately to support the thesis.
– Provides strong scientific studies, facts, statistics, and theories relevant to support the thesis.
– Provides strong scientific studies, facts, statistics, and relevant theories that counter the thesis.
– Discuss the adequacy of the methods used to judge the evidence for and against the thesis.
– Discuss the validity and reliability of the thesis based on the above.
– Proportions the thesis claim to the known evidence.
Level 3
– Provides authority or authorities to support the thesis.
– Provides facts and statistics relevant to support the thesis.
– Provides existing evidence contrary to the thesis.
– Shows assessment of the weight and relevance of the authorities’ credentials, statistics, and facts used; uses peer
reviewed scientific studies.
– Uses clear and sound reasoning, adjusts strength of conclusion to the evidence
provided.
Level 2
– Subjective/person experience is provided.
– Relies on unquestioned appeals to common sense. (It’s justclear….common
sense.)
– Relies on unquestioned appeals to traditional beliefs. (Our culture says…We
believe…)
– Relies on unquestioned appeals to the popularity of a belief. (Everybody
knows…)
– Relies on unquestioned appeal to one or a few sources or hear-say evidence.
– Credentials of authorities used are not cited, or are weak, or not appropriate.
– Criticizes opposing views by name-calling, ridiculing, or simple dismissal.
– Statistics and facts, if used, seem pulled out of the air and unsubstantiated.
Level 1
– No evidence/support provided.
– Statements made as self-evident assertions or intuition.
– Audience is asked to accept the thesis on the word of the speaker.
– Appears that the speaker is unaware that other evidence/support should be
provided.
– Uses personal or community faith as would-be evidence/support.
Name:
1. Find and present a paragraph with a long clear example of someone
using evidence at level 4 or 5. Explain why it is at that level.
1. Find and present a paragraph with a long clear example of someone
using evidence at level 1 or 2. Explain why it is at that level.
1. Although people often think unscientifically, individually and
culturally we are immersed in scientific thinking. Find and explain
3 clear examples of the scientific method…one at your work, one at
home, and one from a service provider.
Show the 5 steps of William James in each case.