Start Here - Scientific Method
Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 6:45 pm
The Root of Science
The root of "SCIENCE" is the scientific method. It's how science works; a never ending cycle of observation and analysis. New information becomes available as new testing methods are invented. Repeating studies can also yield new results. The point is a never ending search for the truth of an issue.
The scientific method is the reason we can trust science. It checks itself. If problems are found, it corrects itself.
GOOD science looks for the truth, even if it means changing science's own opinion as new facts emerge.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia - Scientific Method
By Efbrazil - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
If we could suggest one article on this, it would be from LiveScience.com, a highly regarded and enjoyable source. Please check out their article What Is Science? which does an excellent job of explaining what constitutes GOOD science.
www.livescience.com/20896-science-scientific-method.html
Of particular interest here is the following quote, which expands on the details of the common steps in the cycle shown above.
Seriously,
PLEASE read the article. It's so good that we're going to forego our usual practice of providing a variety of sources. Just read this one for now.
www.livescience.com/20896-science-scientific-method.html
The end.
NOTE: The material in the "APP's Answers" posts sometimes seem elementary and simplistic yet at the same time long and drawn-out. Yes. It's the beginning foundation for the topic. If you already know about these things, by all means add your suggestions to the appropriate forums. Or just scroll on. There can be a steep learning curve for those not already familiar with these things. Our answers are a starting point.
If you're already fairly knowledgeable, still scan each section and SKIP down to the RESOURCES listed. Readers don't have to take our opinion. Each part has good external sources/links, so you can get more in-depth and intricate answers from real experts.
QUICK LINKS - Good Science
MAIN / Good Science
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 1. Short Answer
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 2. Critical Thinking
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 3. CT - Next Level
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 4. Vetting Sources
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 5. "Do Your Own Research"
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 6. The Scientific Method
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 7. Replication - Or it Didn't Happen
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 8. Peer Review Can Be Brutal
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 9. Methodology is Key
MAIN / What's Your Opinion?
Home
FEEDBACK & DISCUSSION
Share your knowledge. Don't be shy if you have a quality contribution. (But please be polite, and proofread.)
For comment about the post you're reading, just reply to it. OR - To add a new post of your own, use the "NEW TOPIC" button located at the bottom of every forum's list of discussions. The button has BRIGHT PURPLE text. (Generally hit the back button from any post you're reading, to get back to the main forum for that subject.)
If you have a nice chunk of GOOD INFORMATION, please choose to add a new post rather than a comment-reply. That way you'll generate comments of your own.
TIPS FOR POLLS: Polls appear on some topics, if the post's author has created one. They're open to ALL registered users. All APP-written polls are set to be ongoing and allow you to change your vote later. Feel free to comment your suggestions for improving any poll, ours or others', just be kind and helpful.
CREATING A POLL: When writing any post (not comment replies) the option for "Poll Creation" is in a tab below the "submit" button. You can always edit the poll later via editing the post itself and navigating back to that tab, but that sort of defeats the purpose if you change it after people have answered, right? To start, try to think through the answers and provide an option for all likely points-of-view. Lastly, the poll will display below the post after it's published. In "preview" mode it shows on top.
.
.
The root of "SCIENCE" is the scientific method. It's how science works; a never ending cycle of observation and analysis. New information becomes available as new testing methods are invented. Repeating studies can also yield new results. The point is a never ending search for the truth of an issue.
The scientific method is the reason we can trust science. It checks itself. If problems are found, it corrects itself.
GOOD science looks for the truth, even if it means changing science's own opinion as new facts emerge.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia - Scientific Method
By Efbrazil - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
If we could suggest one article on this, it would be from LiveScience.com, a highly regarded and enjoyable source. Please check out their article What Is Science? which does an excellent job of explaining what constitutes GOOD science.
www.livescience.com/20896-science-scientific-method.html
Of particular interest here is the following quote, which expands on the details of the common steps in the cycle shown above.
Some key underpinnings to the scientific method:
- The hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable, according to North Carolina State University. Falsifiable means that there must be a possible negative answer to the hypothesis.
- Research must involve deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is the process of using true premises to reach a logical true conclusion while inductive reasoning takes the opposite approach.
- An experiment should include a dependent variable (which does not change) and an independent variable (which does change).
- An experiment should include an experimental group and a control group. The control group is what the experimental group is compared against.
Seriously,
PLEASE read the article. It's so good that we're going to forego our usual practice of providing a variety of sources. Just read this one for now.
www.livescience.com/20896-science-scientific-method.html
The end.
NOTE: The material in the "APP's Answers" posts sometimes seem elementary and simplistic yet at the same time long and drawn-out. Yes. It's the beginning foundation for the topic. If you already know about these things, by all means add your suggestions to the appropriate forums. Or just scroll on. There can be a steep learning curve for those not already familiar with these things. Our answers are a starting point.
If you're already fairly knowledgeable, still scan each section and SKIP down to the RESOURCES listed. Readers don't have to take our opinion. Each part has good external sources/links, so you can get more in-depth and intricate answers from real experts.
QUICK LINKS - Good Science
MAIN / Good Science
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 1. Short Answer
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 2. Critical Thinking
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 3. CT - Next Level
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 4. Vetting Sources
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 5. "Do Your Own Research"
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 6. The Scientific Method
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 7. Replication - Or it Didn't Happen
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 8. Peer Review Can Be Brutal
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 9. Methodology is Key
MAIN / What's Your Opinion?
Home
FEEDBACK & DISCUSSION
Share your knowledge. Don't be shy if you have a quality contribution. (But please be polite, and proofread.)
For comment about the post you're reading, just reply to it. OR - To add a new post of your own, use the "NEW TOPIC" button located at the bottom of every forum's list of discussions. The button has BRIGHT PURPLE text. (Generally hit the back button from any post you're reading, to get back to the main forum for that subject.)
If you have a nice chunk of GOOD INFORMATION, please choose to add a new post rather than a comment-reply. That way you'll generate comments of your own.
TIPS FOR POLLS: Polls appear on some topics, if the post's author has created one. They're open to ALL registered users. All APP-written polls are set to be ongoing and allow you to change your vote later. Feel free to comment your suggestions for improving any poll, ours or others', just be kind and helpful.
CREATING A POLL: When writing any post (not comment replies) the option for "Poll Creation" is in a tab below the "submit" button. You can always edit the poll later via editing the post itself and navigating back to that tab, but that sort of defeats the purpose if you change it after people have answered, right? To start, try to think through the answers and provide an option for all likely points-of-view. Lastly, the poll will display below the post after it's published. In "preview" mode it shows on top.
.
.