Assignment
• Textbook: Chapter 8, 9
Reference: Jackson, D. & Newberry, P. (2016). Critical Thinking: A User's Manual (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth
• Website: How to Interpret Surveys in Medical Research: A Practical Approach (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine).
• Website: Methods (Pew Research Center).
Question 1
Instructions
The reasoning used in inductive generalization is based on empirical observations and the inferences we draw from such observations. As such, it is closely allied to the scientific method. It is also the method used in polls and surveys; reports of the results of these polls and surveys can heavily influence decision making in health professions and other areas of public opinion.
For the initial post, address the following:
• Using what you learn from the text and from research you conduct from other sources, analyze polls and surveys.
o If we simply read a report of a poll, how can we know if the poll is reliable? What criteria do we use to analyze them?
o What part do polls and surveys play in medical research?
o Of what value are public opinion polls?
• Inductive generalization is sometimes mistaken for deductive categorical reasoning.
o Using what you've learned in your study of analogical reasoning, examine why this may happen?
o What are the similarities in the two? The differences?
o Where does the analogy break down?
Question 2
Instructions
As the text points out, causal reasoning is used in clinical studies. As a professional in the health field, you will undoubtedly be referring to cause/effect studies for the rest of your professional life. In this discussion, you are asked to expand and deepen your understanding of clinical studies.
In 1999, a study on the causes of myopia appeared in the prestigious journal Nature (Quinn). The study received wide-spread publicity in leading newspapers, such as the New York Times, and on television outlets, such as CBS and CNN. Within a year, another article in Naturefollowed up the 1999 study (Zadnik). The studies had dramatically different findings.
Using what you have learned from the text, as well as any other sources you may find useful (including the websites in the Required Resources), analyze and evaluate the methodology of both studies and how methodology affected the differences in how the studies were reported.
Introduction
The first two steps in evidence-based practice are to identify knowledge gaps and formulate relevant questions. In this writing exercise, you will be doing just that, across three types of inductive reasoning. In addition, you will be applying evaluation techniques to determine how credible, authoritative, and reliable the arguments are.
Scenario
Imagine your boss has asked you to evaluate four ideas that she is thinking of using to implement programs. You must evaluate whether these are good ideas that she can safely and immediately green-light or whether further evidence is needed. She is anxious to move forward, so she will be unhappy if you reject a good idea; however, if you approve a bad idea, she will be equally as unhappy. She has specifically directed you not to do any outside research. You must evaluate the ideas strictly on the brief passages available. She also wants to know what specific kind of reasoning is used in each passage
Instructions
Using everything you have learned from the text, as well as any other information you have gathered from your searches related to this week's discussion, evaluate the following four arguments:
For each exercise, address the following:
• Identify the type of inductive argument and any features of the way the argument is constructed that you find relevant.
• Explain how convincing you think the argument is.
• Does it have sufficient evidence to allow you to suggest that she move forward with the idea or does the argument have knowledge gaps?
• What questions need to be answered to close these gaps?
• Does the argument contain any information that adds to its authority, credibility, or reliability?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.