ANTH 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Moon Landing, Scientific Theory, Statistical Hypothesis Testing
Document Summary
Science - an approach to gaining information about natural phenomena through observation and experimentation. Is empirical = based on knowledge gained through observation. Falsifiability is a key defining trait of the scientific process. Formulate a hypothesis to explain a phenomena, with clearly-stated predictions. Alternative - the claim you are testing. Null - the assumption you start with. If the hypothesis has not been falsified after testing, it becomes a theory. Theory - robustly supported set of generalizations that allow us to predict what happens under particular conditions and why. Based on observation of factual events and collection of factual data. Attempts to explain how a certain phenomenon occurred. Scientific theory - explanatory framework that had been repeatedly test is supported by overwhelming evidence. The attacks on 9/11 were an inside job. Why you got an f for the intro to bio anth. Concept of eidos - an abstract form that is imperfectly imitated in the real world.
