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Obtaining valid results that allow for causal inferences and ecological validity

The challenge of making valid research from causal inferences and ecological validity is to maintain perspective in their application and the conclusions developed from them . Thought the most important element of any research is the validity of data , inference is just as critical in developing the research or a concept . Nevertheless , if the inferences are only made in the interest of supporting a theory without considering their validity , then it defeats the

purpose of the research which is to establish knowledge and basis for future studies

One critical standard to maintain is ecological validity which requires that research or experiment methods , design and analysis are able to reflect reality . This is separate from both external and internal and does not influence the validity of the experiment as a whole . However it when there is assumptions are made too solely on the basis of observed reality , particularly when research is done in the second or third person , that a research can become compromised . Consider the studies on language . Since language depends significantly on factors like culture and society which vary widely , creating inference or assumptions from previous researches can serve as platform for the research . This can be seen in the function of language as a means of communication or as a means of identification

Across of disciplines , there is less emphasis on the development of universal data because of the recognition of innate differences in cultural , social , political and psychological perspectives but the requirement of validity still stands . This means that even if research is specific to an individual or group , it holds when the research or experiment is repeated , it can be parallel to other researches and it is not solely based on an insight that is purely designed to support a theory presented

Human cognition : rationalist and empirical approaches

Human cognition is a subject that has been researched from all disciplines . The process of cognition does not only provide insight regarding the process of learning but is also considered as one of the intrinsic human attributes that has set apart its specie . There are several approaches that can be taken in studying human cognition and among these are rationalist and empirical in nature . Because human cognition develops working models to link behavior to the process of human thought , these approaches serve only as perspective to the study instead of being prescriptive

Rationalism is an approach where reason is the central factor . In such an approach , the criteria set to study and analyze human cognition are the reasoning behind it rather than any sensory perception . The intellectual or deductive basis of the cognitive process holds precedence over all other factors that can explain it . In contrast empiricism holds experience more importantly in the process of human cognition . From this approach , physical and internal senses such feelings are the basis for human cognition . Though these two approaches are generally used to contrast each other...