The Scientific Method in

Geography
Lecture 4

What is the Scientific Method?

The scientific method is the best way yet
discovered for winnowing the truth from lies and
delusion.
Science is the methodical approach to the
acquisition of knowledge. The scientific method
Answers the question how the world is better
investigated? It represents the system of science
and the complete problem solving process.
The scientific method comprises the explicit
development of Rules of behaviour that make
valid and acceptable explanations

Simplified version of scientific method

REPLICABILITY
i.
ii.

Observe some aspect of the universe.

Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis
that is consistent with what you have observed.
iii. Use the hypothesis to make predictions.
iv. Test those predictions by experiments or further
observations and modify the hypothesis in the
light of your results.
v. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no
discrepancies between theory and experiment
and/or observation.

Harveys 2 Routes of Scientific

Explanation

Inductive
Deductive

Route 1: The inductive route

Proceeds from numerous particular instances to
universal statements a posteriori
Generalisations are derived from observations
Sense-perception data provide factual data which can
be ordered
A regular association between two classes of event may
suggest an empirical inductive law.
A number of these empirical laws are then united into
a unified theoretical structure (Theories, Laws,
Models)
Only observable facts count as knowledge
(Strabo/Varenius/Kant/Humboldt/ Ritter/ Hettner, etc)

Harveys Route 1
Inductive Logic

Route 2: Deductive pathway

Relies on the intuitive(spontaneous) picturing of how
reality is structured
Recognises the a priori nature of scientific knowledge and
rests upon the intuitive speculation regarding the nature of
reality
Intuitive pictures lead to theory formulation and
hypotheses
Statements/hypotheses contained in the theory, which
commands considerable support, are called scientific laws
Positivist philosophy underpinned this method whereby
laws must be proven through objective and replicable
procedures

Harveys Route 2.

Deductive Pathway
An alternative route to
scientific explanation:

Harveys Inductive Pathway

Harveys Deductive Pathway

Perceptual
Experiences

Unordered
Facts

Perceptual Experiences
negative
feedback

Image of real world structure

A Priori Model (formal
representation of the image)

Definition
Classification
Measurement

Hypotheses

Experimental Design (definition,

classification, measurement)

Ordered
Facts

Data
Inductive
Generalisation
Unsuccessful
Laws & Theory
Construction
EXPLANATION

Verification Procedures
(statistical tests etc)
Successful

Laws & Theory Construction

EXPLANATION

positive
feedback

Positive attributes of scientific method:

Relevance of the SM to geography
The scientific method is the best way yet discovered for
winnowing the truth from lies and delusion
The scientific method is based upon
EVIDENCE rather than BELIEF
It is an ordered and a systematic process in knowledge
acquisition
Scientific method is unprejudiced: conclusions will hold
irrespective of the state of mind, or the religious persuasion,
or the state of consciousness of the investigator and/or the
subject of the investigation.
Leads to the building of theories and laws in geography
Enhances the image of geography as a science of spatial
orientation

Criticisms of the scientific method

Empiricism: anything outside Kants world is beyond the
reach of the scientific method
Nave objectivism: not possible to be objective but
subjective in degree
The faulty assumptions, dogmatism, eurocentricism
Single hypothesis type of explanations
Scientists often refuse to test fringe(outside e main stream)
ideas because ``science'' tells them that this will be a waste
of time and effort
Chaos rules in the social world so the ordered and
systematic procedure is inappropriate
Social beings have different rationalities, hence difficult to
arrive at laws that account for social behaviour (Bounded
Rationality: Simpson, Pred & Harvey)

Trial questions
The scientific method is the best way yet
discovered for winnowing the truth from lies and
delusion Discuss
Outline Harveys route II or deductive pathway to
scientific explanation showing its strengths and
weaknesses
Explain the inductive approach to geographic
inquiry outlined by David Harvey in his book
Explanation in Geography (1969).

Sources
David Harvey 1969. Explanation in Geography.
Pages 30-36
R J Jonhston 1979. Geography and
Geographers: Anglo-American Human
Geography since 1945. Pages 73-84