The Scientific Method was first
described by Bacon in 1604. It is a method of
describing nature more reliably than
previous, more intuitive methods.
Observation of a phenomenon - an
occurrence in nature.
Construction of a tentative
explanation, a hypothesis. In order for the
explanation to be a scientific
hypothesis, the explanation must be testable and
falsifiable using the scientific
method. Hypotheses which are not testable or
falsifiable (e.g., beliefs) are not
scientific hypotheses. Hypotheses are constructed
using the logical procedure called inductive
reasoning - specific observations are
used to propose a more general explanation of a natural phenomenon.
Use of controlled experiments and
description of phenomena using numbers.
(quantification of data
is the Hallmark of Science. When predictions
are made, for example
on the reactions in a series of test tubes with differing
ingredients, deductive reasoning is
applied - that is, from a general explanation to specific occurrences. A control is
a group which has all the characteristics of the experimental group except the
one being tested. Statistics is the mathematical science used to test whether the
data supports or adds evidence to (avoid the use of the word "proves",
there is no final proof in science) the hypothesis, or refutes (falsifies)
the hypothesis. Statistics must be
used. many things happen because of dumb, blind luck.
Good scientific experiments use controls
which have all the characteristics
of the
experimental group except one-the
one principle (e.g., an antibiotic)
being tested.
Controls also may remain constant
while the experimental groups
vary in their effects.
A good example of the use of the
Scientific Method is the "double
blind" experiment
used to test drug effectiveness. A
control group receives a sugar
pill or placebo instead
of the drug being tested. Neither
the patients or medical personnel
administering the pills
know whether the placebo or the drug
being tested is given. Is
this ethical?
Why do scientists insist on a
controlled experiment? Science strives
for reliable
descriptions of natural phenomena.
After experimentation has added
much evidence and the hypothesis predicts new discoveries, it is called a theory.
Remember: scientific theories are strong ideas withmuch
evidence!
The Atomic Theory predicted the
discovery of the 104 types of atoms
known today. The theory of
evolution, that is descent with modification, or genetic changes in organisms over time,
predicted antibiotic resistance occurring and
spreading in bacteria and mutations
in viruses changing their protein coats, therefore
changing the virus' ability to be
recognized by the immune system. Theories will
remain theories, not becoming
Scientific Laws, if they are general ideas and not
mathematically precise, e.g.,
Dalton's Atomic Theory. Scientific laws can be
imbedded within theories. See figure
1, below.
5. After a great deal of
confirmation, an explanation can become a scientific law
(only if it is mathematically precise) or, if it
has been a theory, a principle. Remember: in science all Theories and Laws
remain hypothesesin the
sense that they can and are retested over and over again,
modified or discarded if they are disproved or falsified.
Fig
. 1
resource: open Miller textbook
- Dr. John V. Aliff
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![[IMAGE scienti.GIF]](scienti.gif)
