In this way, research enables scientists to separate fact from simple opinion. While this approach provides an incredible depth of information, the ability to generalize these observations to the larger population is problematic.

Scientists are engaged in explaining and understanding how the world around them works, and they are able to do so by coming up with theories that generate hypotheses that are testable and falsifiable. The clinical or case study involves studying just a few individuals for an extended period of time.

population — overall group of individuals that the researchers are interested in. fact — objective and verifiable observation, established using evidence collected through empirical research. opinion — personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. generalize — inferring that the results for a sample apply to the larger population.