1. METHODS IN ANTHROPOLOGY SCIENCE AND INTERPRETATION

2. HOW DO WE KNOW ANYTHING…? LOGIC – a formal system with which one may test a proposition REASON – the ability to think, explain, and form judgments DOCTRINE – propositions which are given by authority OPINION – a judgment or view not necessarily based on fact or logic 2

3. SCIENTIFIC METHODS Observe Explain Predict Test Inductive Logic Deductive Logic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_l5ntikaU

4. WHAT ARE DATA? Recorded observations: Universe of possible observations vs. Sample observations  Random collection: all occurrences available are assigned a number. A random number generator is utilized for selection  Systematic collection: every third occurrence might be collected 4

5. INDUCTIVE/DEDUCTIVE METHODS Deductions (If the explanation is true, then…). Deductions reason from the general to the specific case. Objective tests that must be reproducible Evaluate Results, test again if necessary Conclusion Theories are generalized predictive models, well substantiated explanations. if A …, then B Hypotheses are produced by extrapolating from the specific to the general case: Inductive Reasoning Testable Hypotheses are the result: specific predictions from observations (Inductive Logic)

6. INDUCTIVE REASONING Strong vs. Weak Inductive Reasoning Strong Induction: If all premises are true, the conclusion is likely to be true. Weak Induction: Even if all premises are true, other possibilities are equally likely. Increased similarity in propositional cases strengthens the argument A is to B, as B is to C, therefore A=B,C

7. SCIENCE & RELIGION: 7