AY 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
An area of inquiry is a scientific discipline if its investigators use
the scientific method—a systematic approach to researching questions
and problems through objective and accurate observation, collection and
analysis of data, direct experimentation, and replication of these
procedures. Scientists emphasize the importance of gathering information
carefully and accurately, and researchers strive to remain unbiased when
evaluating information, observing phenomena, conducting experiments,
and recording procedures and results. Researchers also recognize the
value of skepticism and the necessity of having their findings confirmed by
other scientists.
The scientific method is an idealization of the process by which scientific
understanding advances. A scientist starts with what is known about a
natural phenomenon (for example, the data) and will develop a theory, or
an integrated set of statements, that explain various phenomena. Because
a theory is too general to test, the investigator devises a hypothesis—a
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
An area of inquiry is a scientific discipline if its investigators use the scientific method a systematic approach to researching questions and problems through objective and accurate observation, collection and analysis of data, direct experimentation, and replication of these procedures. Scientists emphasize the importance of gathering information carefully and accurately, and researchers strive to remain unbiased when evaluating information, observing phenomena, conducting experiments, and recording procedures and results. Researchers also recognize the value of skepticism and the necessity of having their findings confirmed by other scientists. The scientific method is an idealization of the process by which scientific understanding advances. A scientist starts with what is known about a natural phenomenon (for example, the data) and will develop a theory, or an integrated set of statements, that explain various phenomena. Because a theory is too general to test, the investigator devises a hypothesis a testable prediction from the theory and tests the hypothesis instead of a general theory.
