1. When compared to those who spend less time breast feeding as infants, children who feed from their mothers for a longer period of time will go on to achieve a greater level of intellect as adults.

2. Independent: In this case, the independent variable is defined as the amount of time spent breast feeding.
Dependent: In this case, the dependent variable is defined as each child’s achieved level of intelligence as an adult. 3. In this study, the operational definition of the independent variable is given by the amount of time each mother claims to have breast fed her child when she is interviewed at a one year examination. The given time frames are further divided into five categories.

In this study, the operational definition of the dependent variable is each child’s measured level of intelligence as determined by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) when the group of children has reached a mean age of 27.2 years.

4. The sample used in this research is a group of both males and females who were born in Copenhagen, Denmark between October 1959 and December 1961. The sample size is more than 3,000.

a. The population that this sample seeks to represent is all the children of the world.

5. In this study, the researchers offer Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) scores from the participating children as evidence to test their hypothesis.

The evidence in this case is empirical because the researchers have observed the measureable data through testing.

According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2005), evidence can be defined as something which shows that something else exists or is true. Additionally, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2005), defines empirical as originating in or based on observation and experience.

6. The results of this study indicate that children who spent time breast feeding earned much higher scores on all aspects of the standardized intelligence test as adults. These findings were still found to be true after adjusting for other potential factors such as environment and genetic potential.
a. Although the results of this study are compelling and seem to be in accordance with the theories of many scientists, further reading on the part of this report’s author would be required in order to determine their reliability. However, evidence of similar studies yielding the same results would lend reliability to the aforementioned findings. With the information given, their reliability cannot be determined.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2005) defines reliable as giving the same result on successive trials. Additionally, I find that this serves as an operational definition within the confines of this study.

b. Yes, the results are valid. The evidence presented by the scientists sufficiently justifies their findings and the testing is relevant to the parameters of the research. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2005) defines valid as well-grounded or justifiable: being at once relevant and meaningful. Additionally, the portion of this definition referring to justifiability and relevance serves as an operational definition in the context of this study.
7. As an explanation for their results, the researchers contend that various hormones and additional factors found in human milk contribute to greater brain growth and psychological development. This explanation does make sense based on the evidence they gathered; if human milk yields greater brain growth and maturation, then consuming larger quantities of this milk should increase a child’s intelligence relative to consuming less.

8. An alternative explanation for the results of this study could be that mothers who feed their child more formula and less breast milk may employ the services of a professional caregiver for their child. When a mother feeds her child exclusively breast milk, the assumption is that she is spending time directly in the presence of her child. When children are fed formula, the person providing the nourishment need not be their mother at all. The possibility exists that time spent in the presence of a loving mother could increase a child’s brain development, rather than the chemical composition of the milk she has to offer.

According to sociocultural theory, human development is a result of the way each individual reacts with their society (Berger, 2011, p.48). A mother could in such a way be considered a mentor to the child, who would receive different levels of attention based on time spent together (breast feeding).

In order to confirm this alternative explanation, the researcher would need to record whether or not mothers are the only individuals feeding their child if the child consumes formula rather than breast milk.

9. Because the descriptive, or field, method was employed in this study, the researchers can draw only a correlation between variables. Determining a cause and effect connection would require the scientists to conduct a laboratory experiment.
In the field method, variables cannot be manipulated enough to develop a sense of how each factor independently affects the other. Scientists can only observe and record the natural occurrences of factors and their results.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2005) defines method as a way, technique, or process of or for doing something.

10. The practical applications of this research will primarily apply to the care of infant children. Mothers may want to consider the risks and benefits of breast feeding while taking into account the potentially increased brain development associated with breast fed children when compared to those who drink formula. Although breast feeding may still not be appropriate for all mothers (those with medical complications) this research should lend credit to the theory that breast fed infants will become more intelligent in their adulthood.

Also, mothers may want to take steps during their pregnancy to ensure that they can safely breast feed their children. In this way, they can potentially reap the benefits indicated by the study, without harm to themselves or their children.

11. References:
1.) Berger, K. (2011). The developing person through the life span. New York: Worth
Publishers.
2.) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.). (2005). Springfield, MA:
Merriam-Webster.