Understanding scientific reasoning / Ronald N. Giere, John Bickle, Robert F. Mauldin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Giere, Ronald N.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Philosophy.

Science.

Reasoning.

Physical Description:

320 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Edition:

Fifth edition.

Place of Publication:

Belmont, CA : Thomson/Wadsworth, [2006]

Summary:

Not everything that claims to be science is. UNDERSTANDING SCIENTIFIC REASONING shows you easy-to-use principles that let you distinguish good science from bad information you encounter in both textbooks and the popular media. And because it uses the same processes that scientists use (but simplified), you'll know you're getting the most reliable instruction around. You'll also learn how to reason through case studies using the same informal logic skills employed by scientists.

Contents:

Why understand scientific reasoning?

Understanding and evaluating theoretical hypotheses

Historical episodes

Marginal science

Statistical models and probability

Evaluating statistical hypotheses

Casual models

Evaluating causal hypotheses

Models of decision making

Evaluating decisions.

Notes:

Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 319-320) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Giere, Ronald N. Understanding scientific reasoning.

ISBN:

015506326X

9780155063266

1585870617

9781585870615

OCLC:

61369793

Online:

Contributor biographical information

Publisher description