How Can We Know What is True

 How Can We Know What is True

 In most professions when they are looking to learn something they will use the scientific method. The scientific method consists of a few different steps that help to make sure their understanding or expectations are accurate. These steps are making an observation, form a hypothesis, carry out an experiment, collect data, analyze results, and repeat the experiment. Doing each of these steps can help to make sure that the things we are learning or observing are correct. One of the steps that I think is so important is being able to repeat the experiment. When an experiment can be repeated it shows that the things that were observed more accurate for most of the population and that it was not just a fluke. It is important to look for these things when you are reading about new information. If you are not able to validate the information with the steps of the scientific method, I would be skeptical of saying that it is true. 

    In studying social sciences like the family it can be hard to apply the scientific method. The fact that people are very complex, and it can be hard sometimes to observe their behavior is a challenging thing. Other things that could be challenges are the fact that variables that affect our choices are sometimes hard for other people to see. In most situations people hide their emotions and feelings so you cannot observe them. Many experiments that would need to be done are unethical so they cannot be done. There is also no way to control all of the possible variables that affect people’s experiences. All of these things can make it hard to apply the scientific method. So how are we supposed make sure the things we are reading are true. 

    In social sciences there are limits in using the scientific method so forming theories that try and explain the things that they are observing is what they use. There are some aspects of the scientific method that we can still use. These aspects are creating hypotheses, collecting available data, conducting limited experiments, and using reason and logic. These steps are still very useful in trying to create theories to explain the correlation between variables. It is important to remember that just because there was a correlation observed does not mean that they cause one another. Understanding the family created many advantages even though there are limitations. 

    There are also some other aspects that are important to our learning. One of these is being intentional about what and how we are learning. We should give more thought to how we have or are arriving to certain conclusions. Some other factors include our perception, reason, memory, and testimony. These things affect the way that we learn and how we come to certain conclusions.
    Overall, it is important to remember the scientific method and the other aspects of testing to know if the things we are learning are true. We always have a huge availability of knowledge available to us through the internet. So, it is important to be skeptical of the things that we see and hear. Check your knowledge so that you know you are properly informed.