GEN2024 - Introduction to Scientific Inquiry

年級:2-4
學分: 3
時間: 45小時
先修單元: GEN1000 Perspectives on General Education
單元概要
This module examines how scientists apply critical reasoning skills and a standard experimental procedure to solve various theoretical and practical problems. Specifically, three general issues are addressed, namely, (1) Why do we need to think like a scientist, (2) How to think like a scientist, and (3) What is the development of scientific reasoning. Topics such as astrology, parapsychology, extrasensory perception (ESP), creationism versus evolutionary theory, alternative medication, and progress of science are covered to help students develop, apply, and consolidate their scientific reasoning skills.
學習成果
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:

  1. identify sources of knowledge and how they are subject to various perceptual and cognitive biases.

  2. familiarize with the operation of scientific method and the criteria of adequacy that distinguish between science and pseudoscience.

  3. apply scientific reasoning in analyzing normal and paranormal physical or psychological issues in our daily lives.

  4. examine some of the most important conceptions (e.g. falsification and paradigm shift) during the development of modern scientific methodology