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Reflection 1

This document summarizes Kayla Walk's anthropology assignment on studying evolution through the scientific method. Key examples discussed include the study of locomotion in ancient primates through skeletal analysis and debates around Homo erectus fossils in Africa versus Europe/Asia. Scientific journals are noted to provide more detailed and peer-reviewed research compared to textbooks, which offer more broad overviews, though textbooks risk outdated information. Applying the scientific method can help admit when wrong and allow opinion changes based on new data. Requiring its study helps develop critical thinking useful for everyday life through rational decision making and willingness to reconsider views.

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78 views3 pages

Reflection 1

This document summarizes Kayla Walk's anthropology assignment on studying evolution through the scientific method. Key examples discussed include the study of locomotion in ancient primates through skeletal analysis and debates around Homo erectus fossils in Africa versus Europe/Asia. Scientific journals are noted to provide more detailed and peer-reviewed research compared to textbooks, which offer more broad overviews, though textbooks risk outdated information. Applying the scientific method can help admit when wrong and allow opinion changes based on new data. Requiring its study helps develop critical thinking useful for everyday life through rational decision making and willingness to reconsider views.

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Kayla Walk

Anthropology 1020

Melissa Seaboch

27 April, 2020

1. How is the scientific method used to study evolution?

Experts use the scientific method to study evolution by first making an

observation, for example it can be an observation of a fossil. Next they ask a question,

like “why does this fossil look this way?”. After that they do research that is geared

towards the question, then they come up with a possible answer for the question,

otherwise called a “hypothesis”. After this they see if the hypothesis lines up with already

existing research. After this they either accept or reject the hypothesis, then they share

their results.

1. Describe two specific examples of scientific research from your

textbook.

One specific example of research is the study of locomotion in ancient primates.

Scientists studied the way their skeletons were shaped in order to understand the

way they moved. They made hypotheses based on existing research and modern

animals to predict their movement.

Another example is the study of homo erectus fossils. The study of these is a bit

controversial. Some experts say the fossils of homo erectus found in Africa are a
different species than the ones found in Europe and Asia, while others say they’re

the same. This is an example of specific research, and how experts can disagree

even when presented with the same information.

2. Compare and contrast how scientific research is communicated in your textbook

and how it is communicated in scientific journals.

Scientific journals tend to be more detailed, and more critiqued than textbooks.

Textbooks however, are great for offering a general view on a topic rather than diving

into the specific details that may be unnecessary for the reader.

1. Reflect on the pros and cons of each type of communication.

Some pros on scientific journals is that the information is more reliable since it is more

peer reviewed than a textbook. They’re also more specific, they give a more detailed look at a

subject than a textbook. Some cons of scientific journals would be that they’re usually very

detailed, and the information included in the details are often not necessary for students like

myself. They’re also often geared more towards people that are already involved within a field,

rather than a normal everyday person. This can be a pro or a con, depending on who's looking.

Some pros on textbooks would be the research is much more general. They’re often filled

with brief overviews on multiple topics within a single field. This can be good for a student who

is just trying to get a broad understanding on a topic. Some cons would be that these textbooks

aren’t as critiqued as scientific journals. The information in some textbooks can also be outdated.
The information also isn’t super detailed, which isn’t great for people trying to get a deep

understanding of a single topic.

3. Reflect on how you could incorporate parts of the scientific method in your

everyday life.

A huge benefit of applying the scientific method in my life would be allowing myself to

admit when I’m wrong. I can have an opinion, see if the opinion plays out well in my life

or in someone else's, then I can keep that opinion or change it based on the information

I’m given.

4. Why do you think all colleges and universities across the country require

students to learn about the scientific method; what is its value?

The scientific method requires critical thinking. Critical thinking helps in everyday life. It

helps you make better choices, it can make you act rationally, it can make you sound smart, and

my favorite benefit, it can make you humble. It allows you to admit when you're wrong, and to

change your opinion when presented with new data.

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