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Scientific Methods
Objectives
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Understand the basic scientific principles
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Understand the methodologies used in scientific inquiries
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Understand the process in the discovery of truth in nature
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Understand the process to prove and disprove a hypothesis
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Apply the scientific process in discovering the principles of biology
Concepts to Learn
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Logical deductions and inductions
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Steps involved in a scientific process
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Experimental process:
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How to pose hypotheses
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How to test hypotheses
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How to arrive at logically consistent conclusions
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When to refute a hypothesis
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When to refine a hypothesis
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Theoretical process:
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How to find out nature’s truth
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Self-consistence and self-contradictions in logical deductions
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Critical thinking process
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Creative thinking process
Science is about finding the truth in nature. It is about understanding nature with an objective approach so that the explanation is logically consistent. This allows us to arrive at the truth of nature without bias. Without using an objective approach in our reasoning process, the explanation of natural phenomena could be misleading due to our subjectivity in perception. This could lead to myths and misunderstandings. If these misunderstandings persist, then the false truth will misguide us to behave irrationally.
The scientific methodology is a systematic approach to apply the logical reasoning process such that it will ensure the conclusion made is valid and logically consistent rather than absurdity. If we follow the principles of science in our rational thinking, then the explanation of how nature works will be logical and objective, as well as verifiable by others. This process ensures the discovery and understanding of natural phenomena is explained in a logically consistent manner. In doing so, the truth of nature is revealed, and myths dispelled.
In this chapter, we will cover the basic principles of rational thinking in science. Logical reasoning is the basic thinking process that enables human to process information, and acquire knowledge. We will address the two basic approaches in logical thinking – using deductive logic and inductive logic. The former is a top-down approach while the latter is a bottom-up approach in the logical reasoning process. Neither one is better than the other intrinsically; they are merely different approaches.
This leads to the second characteristics in scientific inquiry, which is the application of alternate approaches and alternate explanations to address and investigate the same phenomenon without contradicting each other. In fact, it is the ability to use different methodologies to arrive at alternate explanations without contradiction that ensures the validity of the conclusion so that truth can be arrived at. It is a triangulation process such that different views of the same object may be different, but essentially describing the same object rather than a different object.
We will discuss how to pose hypotheses and prove theories; how to refute hypothesis and disprove conjectures. These are some of the basic methodologies in science that can be applied universally in any disciplines of science – from physics to biology.
We will also discuss why it is important to develop critical thinking so that we can critique what is known and evaluate the truthfulness of some established/accepted facts for ourselves without relying on blind faith/trust. By applying the creative thinking process, we will also be able to invent new theories, and create new technologies to discover further truth in nature. In doing so, we can break the envelope of science and create newfound knowledge without being handicapped by some misguided dogmas. The reexamination is always critical to the evolution of scientific knowledge. Thus, scientific method is an iterative method that allows us to approach the truth of nature closer and closer along the way.
Summary
Logical thinking can be divided into two approaches: deductive thinking and inductive thinking. Deductive process is a top-down approach where larger pieces are broken down into smaller pieces to deduce how things are isolated. It is an analytical process. In contrast, inductive process is a bottom-up approach where smaller pieces are put together into larger pieces to infer how things are put together. It is an integrative process.
Scientific process is a quantitative approach to discover the principles of nature. It is an objective process where the underlying principles are revealed independent of the observer or the frame of reference. Applying the scientific process enables the discovery of nature’s truth because the results and ...
