Many scholars
of Intercultural Communication
propose lists of parameters to
make cultural
differences understandable. Each
list is said to
be "scientific." Is this
true? The answer
depends, of course, on what one
means by
"scientific". Let us assume
that the word means
that the parameters:
1. give a clear
explanation of phenomena based on
readily identifiable
premises ("explicit")
2. give a real control over
events ("predictive");
3. can be counterchecked
empirically ("falsifiable");
4. are minimal but
sufficient (thus "elegant"); and
5. suggest new
hypotheses ("fertile").
Do all/any of the
following lists satisfy these 5
criteria?
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