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Accurate Observations in Science

Accurate observations are crucial in scientific investigations as they help identify relevant facts and provide evidence for explanations. Observers must be aware of potential biases and limitations, such as inattentional and change blindness, while distinguishing between objective facts and subjective beliefs. Anomalies should be approached with skepticism, requiring thorough investigation and substantial evidence to support any extraordinary claims made about them.

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4 views1 page

Accurate Observations in Science

Accurate observations are crucial in scientific investigations as they help identify relevant facts and provide evidence for explanations. Observers must be aware of potential biases and limitations, such as inattentional and change blindness, while distinguishing between objective facts and subjective beliefs. Anomalies should be approached with skepticism, requiring thorough investigation and substantial evidence to support any extraordinary claims made about them.

Uploaded by

ethanbeam
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Observation

Making Accurate Observations


-Observations can enable us to identify and focus in on the relevant facts about the phenomena under
investigation
-What we observe can provide clues as to what might explain the phenomena
-Observational data can provide the evidence by which we can determine whether various explanations
succeed or fail
-Good science balances focus and broader awareness. Focus provides depth, awareness provides
context. Together they minimize bias

-Accurate observations depend on the observer's attention and ability to recall details.

Accurate: true
Precise: producing the same result over and over
Inattentional Blindness: Failure to notice the existence of an unexpected item because the direction of
your attention is elsewhere
Change Blindness: Failure to notice major changes in the visual environment due to some kind of
interruption

Observation Concerns
1. Do you have a clear sense of what the phenomena are?
2. Have you found a way to correct for anything that may have been overlooked?
3. What do you know for sure? What is based on fact versus assumption?
4. Have you considered any necessary comparative information?
5. Have your observations been contaminated?

Objective: Fact.
Subjective: Belief/Opinion/Bias

Observing Anomalies
-Anomalies/anomaly
-Puzzling, unfamiliar, potentially revolutionary
-Something that deviates from what is standard
-Beyond ordinary? Extraordinary
-In science, anomalies are regarded with a healthy dose of skepticism because they are extraordinary
-Anomalies should be investigated with two primary objectives in mind
-To uncover the facts
-To determine whether the phenomenon can be explained away
-Are there alternative explanations?
Burden of Proof
-Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence
-Anomalies often begin as being interpreted as extraordinary claims
-The burden of proof lies on those making extraordinary claims

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