What is the scientific method?
- Asad Khan
- Mar 20, 2019
- 5 min read
The scientific method is being widely used for investigating the natural world since the 17th century. Scientific method helps the scientists to find new knowledge and update the existing knowledge about the world. Observations, measurement, experiments, research question or hypothesis constitute scientific method.
The composition of the scientific method
Construct hypothesis
Data collection
Hypothesis testing
Conclusion
1) Construction of a hypothesis
It includes;
a) Explain the question
b) Literature review
c) Formulate a hypothesis
2) Data collection
Data collection includes;
a) Create a testable hypothesis
b) Design the study
c) Conducting the observations or experiments
3) Hypothesis testing
This step includes;
a) Organization of data
b) Data analysis ‘
c) Rejection or acceptance of the hypothesis
4) Conclusion
The conclusion must include;
a) Provide possible explanations of the results
b) The implication to the real world
c) Provide suggestions and recommendations for further research
The scientific method is the process to expose the rational truths about the world in which we live. Scientific method also enables us to believe in knowledge otherwise there are many kinds of knowledge which we don't believe in.
Consider you are living in the 16th century and you find maggots in food. Here you wonder from where these maggots came from in the food? You would ask around and may find an answer from experts of the day that these organisms are often found in inanimate material. In fact, this theory is called “spontaneous generation”. Spontaneous generation theory was present for 2000 years and dates back to the era of Aristotle. However, this theory is considered wrong in the sciences.
In 1859, Louis Pasteur gave the theory of “biogenesis” which is true till today. Science does not accept the process of only making an observation and offering an explanation at all. Rather, scientists using the scientific method try to provide objective truths behind a certain phenomenon. Pasteur used the scientific method in which he formulated a question, made a hypothesis, designed experiments and then applied logic for interpretations of the result.
Empirical Vs. Rational
How could a person say “Sky is blue”?
Definitely, we could see it. Observation is the most natural tool of humankind for finding answers. Similarly, empirical observation is a collection of data that is directly or indirectly available to our senses. Empirical observation is the foundation of the scientific method because it makes the basis of an experiment.
What differentiates empirical evidence is that it uses objective observable data rather than focusing on anecdote or opinion for answer a question accurately. It does not matter who the observer is but, in fact, empirical evidence is always the same. For example, everyone can read a thermometer and say its 10 °C while many observers will say the room is “cold” or the room is “comparatively cold”.
Therefore, science audaciously relies on experiments and observations. Scientific research must use any kind of practical experiment. The kind of experiment varies depending on the type of research. A scientist would be making an experiment on Doppler shift in the distant galaxy whereas other scientists would be distributing questionnaires in the shopping centers.
The knowledge gained after experiments is called “posterior” which means after the experiment. While prior means knowledge available before the experiment. Rationalists say that knowledge can be gained only through arguing or making an observation.
This kind of knowledge is inductive and needed to be developed from the basic principles of sciences. However, this kind of knowledge has no backing and is considered invaluable whereas knowledge gained from scientific methods is more true and credible.
Induction vs. Deduction
The scientific method does not end at the conclusion rather collection, organization, and interpretation of data is part of the scientific process. In fact, how can the results closely linked to what is already known? Research design provides the logic for the framework which makes us know the meaning of what we have observed.
For making a meaningful analysis of the results it is imperative to pay extreme attention to the logic behind the methods.
There are two types of reasoning in the scientific method;
Inductive: concluding the research on the mere basis of a set of observations. This conclusion is or is not predictable based on the already available evidence. In inductive reasoning, a researcher is always trying to gather more and more evidence to strengthen the results. Inductive reasoning moves from specific to general implications.
Deductive: this type of reasoning ends up at the conclusion based on the logic that has been inherited at the initial stages of the research. Deductive reasoning moves from general to specific.
So it can be clearly seen that inductive reasoning corresponds to an empirical approach whereas deductive reasoning corresponds to a rational approach.
Consider this example for better understanding;
All men are mortal
James Bond is a man
Therefore, James Bond is mortal
It can be clearly noted that each argument made above is true therefore we seek the conclusion to be true. There is no reason to understand our information about the men and James Bond just because the inherited argument is true therefore we say that the conclusion is also true.
Consider that James Bond collects solutions about a mystery and forms a theory about the case.
However, his theory can’t be always true therefore he keeps making theories and builds his theories upon evidence. Evidence make his theories stronger. The stronger theories combined with evidence, there are more chances of the phenomenon to happen that way. Therefore, James Bond resolves the mysterious cases. In this way, James Bond uses inductive reasoning.
Heavy reliance on data
Scientific method heavily relies on data. A scientific method integrates its observations, analysis the data and then feeds back these results in the form of theories about what we know about the world. There are two main types of data; quantitative and qualitative.
Quantitative data measures the phenomenon of the natural world in quantifiable way e.g. numbers whereas qualitative data measure the certain phenomenon in the form of opinions and motivations.
For example, the honesty of a person can be measured qualitatively whereas the distance between eyes and lips of a person will be measured in millimeters which is quantitative data. Similarly, the quantitative date will have SI units whereas qualitative data is applicable for social studies. It should be noted that both data types are extremely essential in scientific research and researchers heavily use both types of data in their research.
Systematic and methodical
It must be a scientific research expert to get the perfect findings. Often scientists don’t know how to get the required results and perceived skeptical. Results are tested through a series of experiments until a body of evidence is built up to support the findings.
Repeated experiments ensure that researchers do not make any erred judgments or manipulate results for extracting required results.
It is just a matter of time that the scientific method improves even on the accepted theories or it can also provide new theories along the way. This process is famous as “paradigm shift” and thought as an integral part of the scientific method. Ground-breaking theories such as Einstein’s theory of relativity can completely change the existing scientific knowledge.
How strictly scientific method follow the rules?
Physical sciences follow the scientific method rules strictly. However, studies involving humans and organisms can adapt or make a change in the scientific method due to the unpredictable nature of living species. A good scientist always has a good understanding of scientific method rules for carrying out formidable research.
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