A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method [Paperback]

Stephen S. Carey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0534528430 | ISBN-13: 978-0534528430 | Publication Date: June 27, 1997 | Edition: 2

Designed for the student who has little or no background in the sciences, this book provides a brief, non-technical introduction to the basic methods underlying all good scientific research. It is ideal as a supplementary text for any course in which students must have some rudimentary understanding of how science is done. Topics include establishing causal links, testing explanations, extraordinary claims and anecdotal evidence, and fallacies. End-of-chapter exercises help reinforce material. A sold supplement to students, this book can also be bundled with a Brooks/Cole earth science text book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Carey received his Ph.D. in logical theory and the history of logic from the University of Oregon. In addition to A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO SCIENTIFIC METHOD, he has also written THE USES AND ABUSES OF ARGUMENT. He currently teaches logic, philosophy of science, and philosophy of religion at Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon. He is an avid tennis and pickleball player, and runs a marathon every year.

Product Details

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 2 edition (June 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534528430
• ISBN-13: 978-0534528430
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,521,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good at what it does., December 12, 2003

By 

Phillip Cota (Bethesda, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method (Philosophy) (Paperback)

The scientific method consists of (1) posing the intitial defining question of the investigation, (2) exploring the subject of the defining question, (3) formulating alternative hypotheses, (4) testing the hypotheses, and (5) posing a follow-up question if the defining question has not yet been satisfactorily answered. Carey's book is helpful only in step 4: it provides basic guidance for testing assertions. It also includes discussion of different kinds of explanation. It was written for non-technical beginning college students; it would also be suitable for high school students as yuoung as age 15. It is not, however, really an introduction to the scientific method; the reader should have some familiarity with the scientific method before reading this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Improves your critical thinking skills the scientific way., August 10, 2002

By 

Alfonso A. Campbell "acbroker" (Laredo, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method (Paperback)

This book provides you with excellent step-by-step examples in applying the scientific method to everyday life situations. It gives you the tools to assess the validity of scientific claims and to guard yourself against the weird and the pseudoscientific ones.

The numerous examples allow you to practice and sharpen your skills and give you an excellent idea how the scientific mind works (or should work).

Accessible to the average reader.

AC.CHB

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars supplement for critical thinking course, April 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method (Paperback)

This is a practical guide to recognizing and evaluating reported results of experimental science. Carey does not deal with philosophy of science. Rather, he builds a vocabulary for distinguishing kinds of experiments and evaluating their results. He offers criteria for distinguishing scientific theories from non-scientific ones.

Carey includes innovative exercises that introduce students to the creative difficulties in discovering solutions to problems in science.