Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test

What key aspect does empiricism emphasize in science?

1. Ruling out complex explanations

2. Objective observations

3. Causal relationships

4. Statistical analysis

The correct answer is: Objective observations

Empiricism emphasizes objective observations as a fundamental aspect of scientific inquiry. This approach ensures that knowledge is based on observable and measurable phenomena, rather than subjective beliefs or interpretations. In empirical science, findings are grounded in data gathered through controlled experimentation and systematic observation, which allows researchers to draw reliable conclusions from their evidence. This focus on objectivity helps minimize biases and promotes the ability to replicate results, key components in validating scientific claims. The other aspects mentioned, such as ruling out complex explanations, causal relationships, and statistical analysis, play important roles in the scientific process but are not the central tenet of empiricism itself. Ruling out complex explanations pertains more to the parsimony in scientific theories, while causal relationships are a focus of specific types of research within the empirical framework. Statistical analysis serves as a tool for interpreting empirical data but does not define empiricism as a philosophy.