The Scientific Method: Converting Curiosity into Study Worksheet
Step 1

How does the epistemology of science differ from other ways of knowing about the world?
Write two (or more) questions (related to humans/anthropology) – one that COULD be investigated scientifically and one that CANNOT be tested scientifically.

Step 2

Design a mock study using some of the steps of the scientific method below to answer a provocative question you have about biological anthropology.
Identify the question or the potential relationship between two or more observable phenomena:
Formulate hypotheses about expected outcomes between variables, based on existing theory:
What primary methods would you use to collect observations pertaining to the question:
What aspects of the study are holistic? In other words, which other sub-fields of anthropology might be interested in the results of your study? Why?

Part 2.

Read the following statements. Using the definition of “belief” and “knowledge”, fill in the chart to identify which statements are statements of belief or statements of knowledge.

Science and religion are both knowledge systems and it is useful to understand how they differ. The type of knowledge gained from science is oftentimes called scientific understanding. Scientific understanding can change and relies on evidence and rigorous, repeated testing. Religious ways of knowing are called belief, which is different from scientific understanding because it does not require repeated testing or validation (although it can rely on observations and experiences). Instead, religious belief relies on trust and faith.