Final answer:
Researchers must conduct intensive research and controlled experiments to determine the effects of dolphin therapy, similarly to how pharmaceutical companies test new drugs, ensuring reliability and ethical consideration.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the effects of dolphin therapy, researchers must engage in intensive research studies and experimentation. This approach involves developing a hypothesis, collecting data through control and experimental groups, and analyzing the results for statistical significance. This rigorous scientific process ensures that findings are reliable and credible, just as in the case of pharmaceutical companies testing the efficacy of new drugs. Utilizing alternatives like computer models and simulations, as well as noninvasive imaging techniques, can also advance research without the ethical concerns of animal testing. Both approaches are essential to medical research for achieving results that are not only measurable but can lead to life-saving conclusions.