Research methods
Claims that Researchers Can and Cannot Make
For this week\\\’s discussion, let\\\’s talk about the types of claims that researchers can and cannot make. To guide our discussion, begin by reading the article \\”Happier Families Put Kids to Bed Early.\\”
Now, imagine you have a friend who hasn\\\’t taken Research methods. She reads this study and excitedly brings it to your attention. She is exuberant that this study finally \\”proves\\” that putting kids to bed early scientifically increases parents\\\’ happiness.
- What do you think? How would you explain, in non-technical terms, what is faulty about this conclusion (Hint: Remember the 3 Causal Criteria)? Are there other explanations for this significant relationship? What are they?
Then, let\\\’s continue the discussion by sharing some more faulty conclusions that we find on the internet or in magazines. For example, look at the graph below. If pirates negate global warming, then we really need to bring back pirates!!!
- Find and share examples of these types of spurious correlations or faulty conclusions made by researchers who are publishing the study.
These are easier to find than you might expect! But websites like Huffington Post are a good place to start. Have fun with this, and as you are searching, try to figure out what the real story is behind the correlation.
- Speaking of which, what is really going on in the global warming and pirate example??
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