Writing Assignment 1 PDF

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Writing Assignment 1 The researchers in the study hypothesized that breast-fed babies become more intelligent than their formula-fed counterparts. The independent variable is the source of nutrition given to the babies in the experimental groups. The dependent variable was the level of intelligence indicated by the results of the exam used at the end of the experiment. The constants are the aspects that affect the experiment groups and the results but remain the same between the two experimental groups. The constants are the city of the participants, the test used to quantify the results, and the amount of time given to the participants between beginning the study and the follow-up examination. The test the researchers offered to their hypothesis was the ability to score well on a standardized examination performed by a physician. This evidence provided is observable evidence because it revealed trends indicating higher scores in the breast-fed group. However, this evidence alone may not be considered valid because it is not always constant between every participant. Results between participants, while trending, were still only generalized and the degree of which varied uniquely between each participant. The argument for the validity of the results would be that the results correlated towards confirmation of the hypothesis and due to the nature of the natural nonconformity of the subjects, as well as uncontrolled variables that the researchers considered when proportioning the results, results would never be completely uniform. The explanation given when analyzing the results is that there are some differences that can be explained by the uncontrolled variables, such as caregivers’ skill level and motivation to nurture. The researchers also explained that the correlation of the results could be attributed to

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the hormones and “other factors” in the breast milk that allowed for better nutritional content in terms of intellectual growth. Despite the results in presented by the study, researchers are not able to draw conclusions regarding nutritional intake as a baby and later intelligence because there are too many variables that cannot be controlled in the study presented and the evidence does not necessarily indicate causation. Not only the level of parental education and motivation, but the environment in which the offspring is raised play too large a role to be explained away by being accounted for in the adjustment of the results. It is entirely possible that these factors played a greater role in the differences in intelligence of the participants in the experimental groups than the independent variables themselves. The researchers could have perhaps created more control over the variables in the two groups by assigning subgroups to each experimental group based on like traits of the groups. The independent variable could be further broken down and analyzed as well. For example, laboratory tests could be performed to determine hormone content of breast milk and the ingredients and their quantities of the different brands of formula used. As presented, there is a beginning to practical application of the results of this research. However, further research experiments should be conducted before causation is attributed to the correlation found in the results. Also, scientific backing needs to be provided showing physiological explanation for how the hormone content of breast milk is superior to formula in that it allows for greater intellectual growth of babies. Future experiments with stricter control over variables as well as further breakdown of experimental groups would show potential for providing scientific results that can be applied to everyday life of new parents....