The idea that parental behaviors determine a child's future career may seem plausible, while the idea that one's future can be predicted on the basis of the positions of the planets at one's birth may not. however, both ideas should be tested using a(n) approach to see if they hold up under scrutiny.

The answer is an empirical approach
 Empirical approach is a problem solving approach which emphasizes that experiments performed on a theory should provide data that is observable and verifiable to prove the correctness of a theory. It is like approaching problem realistically rather than being based on scientific theory and believing the observed results.

True. you know, tools like shovels.