Introduction to the Scientific Method :: essays research papers

Introduction to the Scientific MethodThe scientific method is the offshoot by which scientists, collectively and over time, endeavor to construct an accurate (that is, reliable, logical and non-arbitrary) representation of the world. Recognizing that personal and cultural beliefs influence both our perceptions and our interpretations of natural phenomena, we orchestrate through the use of standard procedures and criteria to minimize those influences when developing a theory. As a famous scientist once said, "Smart people (like smart jurisprudenceyers) target come up with very good explanations for mistaken points of view." In summary, the scientific method attempts to minimize the influence of bias or prejudice in the experimenter when testing an supposition or a theory. I. The scientific method has quaternion steps1. Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena. 2. readiness of an hypothesis to explain the phenomena. In physics, the hypothesis o ften takes the form of a causal mechanism or a mathematical relation. 3. Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict quantitatively the results of sassy observations. 4. Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters and properly performed experiments. If the experiments succumb reveal the hypothesis it may come to be regarded as a theory or law of nature (more on the concepts of hypothesis, model, theory and law below). If the experiments do not bear out the hypothesis, it must be jilted or circumscribed. What is key in the description of the scientific method erect given is the predictive power (the ability to get more out of the theory than you put in see Barrow, 1991) of the hypothesis or theory, as tested by experiment. It is often said in science that theories stub never be proved, only disproved. There is always the possibility that a new observation or a new experiment leave conflict wit h a long-standing theory. II. Testing hypothesesAs just stated, experimental tests may lead either to the confirmation of the hypothesis, or to the ruling out of the hypothesis. The scientific method requires that an hypothesis be ruled out or modified if its predictions atomic number 18 clearly and repeatedly incompatible with experimental tests. Further, no national how elegant a theory is, its predictions must agree with experimental results if we are to believe that it is a valid description of nature. In physics, as in every experimental science, "experiment is supreme" and experimental verification of vatical predictions is absolutely necessary.