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The

Scientific
Method
The Scientific Method

 “Science is best defined as a careful,


disciplined, logical search for knowledge
about any and all aspects of the
universe, obtained by examination of
the best available evidence and always
subject to correction and improvement
upon discovery of better evidence.
What's left is magic - and magic
doesn't work.”
(James Randi)
The Scientific Method

 A better approach to magic is to do


experiments and perform careful
observations.

 The results of this approach are


universal in the sense that they can
be reproduced by any skeptic.
What is the “Scientific
Method”?
 The scientific method is the best way
yet discovered for winnowing the truth
from lies and delusion. The simple
version looks something like this:
THEORY
consistent

observations hypothesis predictions

not
consistent?

modify
hypothesis

tests
What is the “Scientific
Method”?
 Advantage of the scientific method.
• Results are unprejudiced.
• Results are repeatable.

 Which means that.


• Conclusions are testable.
What is the “Scientific
Method”?
 The 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.
What is the “Scientific
Method”?
 Faith, defined as:-

“belief that does not rest on logical


proof or material evidence”,

does not determine whether a scientific


theory is adopted or discarded.
Scientific Laws, Hypotheses,
and Theories
Layman’s Terms Lacks
credibilit
y
“Just a
Theory”

A Unproved
mere
Guess
Scientific Law:

 A statement of fact.
 Explains an action or set of actions.
 Accepted to be true and universal.
 Can be a single mathematical equation.
Scientific Law:

 Some scientific laws.


• Law of gravity,
• Law of thermodynamics,
• Hooke’s law of elasticity.
Isaac Newton’s Inspiration

Nothing yet,
how about
you Newton!
Hypothesis:

 Educated guess.
 Based upon observation.
 Rational explanation of a phenomenon.
 Not been proved.
 Supported / refuted by experimentation.
Johannes Kepler’s Uphill Battle
What’s a
So you see, the planet?
orbit of a What’s
What’s
planet is an
elliptical
elliptical orbit?
?
Theory:

 Explanation of a set of related


observations.
 Based upon proven hypotheses.
 Verified multiple times by detached
groups of researchers.
Scientific Laws, Hypotheses,
and Theories
 So, what’s the difference between a
“Law” and a “Theory”
• Both are accepted to be true by the
scientific community.
• Both are used to make predictions of
events.
• Both are used to advance technology.
Scientific Laws, Hypotheses,
and Theories
 A theory is much more complex and
dynamic

 A theory explains a whole series of


related phenomena.

 A law governs a single action.


Scientific Laws, Hypotheses,
and Theories
 Some scientific theories.
• The theory of evolution.
• The theory of relativity.
• Quantum theory.

 These theories are well documented and


proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Acknowledgements
 Harris, S (2005) “Johannes Kepler’s uphill battle”

 Larson, G (2005) “Newton’s Inspiration”

 Wudka, J (2005) “The Scientific Method”,


phyun5.ucr.edu/~wudka/Physics7/Notes_www/node6
.html,viewed on Oct 7th

 Wilson, J (2005) “Scientific Laws, Hypotheses &


Theories”, wilstar.com/theories.htm,
viewed Oct 7th

 Video Clips taken from “Friends” Episode 3 Season


2, 1996, “The one where Mr. Heckles dies”

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