This is a graded discussion: 2.5 due Aug points possible 28 Converging Evidence

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This is a graded discussion: 2.5 due Aug points possible 28 Converging Evidence Discussion Post Stanovich argues for "connectivity" and the strength of converging evidence. In his discussion, he argues that flawed experiments, studies employing various designs, and studies designed to test theories are all ways to garner converging evidence. Explain each concept flawed experiments, studies employing various designs and studies testing theories. Explain what Stanovich means by "connectivity" and discuss how the three concepts are important for connectivity according to Stanovich's argument. (Please note only your first post will be graded.) Search entries or author O Unread Replies are only visible to those who have posted at least one re

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According to Stanovich, scientifically valid research is distinguishable form pseudoscience based on the principle of connectivity according to which a new theory in science must make contact with previously established empirical facts so that the data that support a given theory can rule out only a small set of alternative explanations and thus adhere to the scientific ideal of falsifiability. A procedure which allows one to eliminate one or more competing explanations is the principle of converging evidence. This becomes important as when the principle of connectivity is abandoned, there is a greater chance for the purveyors of pseudoscience and bogus theories to assert their claims as true.

There are three key factors which are important in connectivity :

Any scientific Advancement must Explain new facts and Account for old facts. This is achieved by evaluating a research on the scale of flawed experiments. This involves reviewing where does evidence lead? When evidence from a wide range of experiments, each flawed in somewhat a different way or carried out with techniques of differing strengths and weaknesses, points in a similar direction, then the evidence has converged.

A second factor is that of studies based on hypothesis testing. Research is taken to be highly convergent when a series of experiments consistently supports a given theory while collectively eliminating the most important explanations.

A third crucial way of attaining convergence across studies is to develop a multiple methods design. This involves using many different methods in all research areas such as Using laboratory and non-laboratory settings so that one can evaluate how far does the same data emerge across different methodological approaches. Such a Meta-analysis can end the old he said she said debates in science by statistically allowing for comparison effects across studies.

In this way, one can ensure that the significance of a finding is not lost merely in the discourse of a single study but that real scientifc Progress is made by a convergence of accumulated data and reinterpretation of flawed experiments.

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