The Scientific Method

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The Scientific Method

• A structured method for reliable research

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What is the Scientific Method

• The Scientific Method (SM-14) is a structured
  method composed of sequential (yet flexible)
  steps to achieve reliable research
• The Scientific Method lists the mental activity
  stages through which a researcher must go to
  achieve reliable research
• It is considered the master method of problem
  solving

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Scientific Method in wikipedia

• The scientific method refers to a body of
  techniques for the investigation of phenomena and
  the acquisition of new knowledge of the natural
  world, as well as the correction and integration
  of previous knowledge, based on observable,
  empirical, measurable evidence, and subject to
  laws of reasoning

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A Little Controversy

• Does the scientific method exist?
• Is there a structured method to obtain reliable
  research?
• There is wide acceptance for the scientific
  method
• An unscientific survey
• Differences on the details

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The Basic Elements of The Scientific Method of
Research

• Research normally starts with the observation of
  a phenomenon/problem
• This leads to hypothesizing an explanation/solutio
  n
• The hypothesized solution is tested using
  experimentation
• Based on the experiments results, the cycle may
  be repeated

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The Detailed Structure of the Scientific Method
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Flexible Order of Use

• Although the stages are given in a certain order,
  they are meant to be very flexible in
  application. In Norman Edmunds words In using
  the stages there will be backtracking, skipping,
  false starts, looping, sub-problems, and other
  diversions.

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Keeping Track

• While applying the scientific method, it is
  helpful to be aware of which stage you are in.
• It is also necessary to keep a log of all
  observations, ideas, tentative solutions,
  hypotheses, and experiments throughout the
  process.

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The Structure of the Scientific Method
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Stage 1 Curious Observation

• Observation is always the beginning of the
  inductive process.
• How is observation initiated?
• The attributes of curiosity
• Defining the problem

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Stage 2 Is There a Problem?

• The idea/tentative theory/problem should be
  formulated as a question.
• Define the problem carefully.
• How to properly define or understand a problem.
• The tentative Solution

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Stage 3 Goals and Planning

• Goals End results to be achieved
• Realistic and flexible
• Planning How to reach these goals
• Plan must be flexible

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Stage 4 Search, Explore Gather the Evidence

• The most important stage
• Read about the areas related to your research
• Create a repository of material related to
  research field
• Download publications
• Paper copies
• Links to important sites
• List tentative solutions before consulting or
  reading what others did
• Possible methods to explore

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Stage 5 Generate Creative and Logical
Alternative Solutions

• Many great discoveries were achieved through
  trial and error
• How to generate alternative solutions
• Search other peoples ideas
• Rest-Illumination/rest-insight
• Idea triggers

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Stage 6 Evaluate the Evidence

• At this stage, we have gained more insight, and
  have a number of tentative solutions. We thus
  re-evaluate the previous stages
• Problem
• Goal-reference
• Looking back
• Ideas/Solutions
• Evaluate tentative hypotheses
• Is there sufficient information?
• Be aware of the characteristics that a working
  hypothesis must have Weigh evidence for/against
  each tentative hypothesis

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Stage 7 Make the Educated Guess (Hypothesis)

• From among the tentative hypotheses, choose your
  working hypothesis based on evaluation in stage 6
• What are the required characteristics of a
  working hypothesis?
• Relevancy and adequacy
• Adds to existing knowledge
• Verifiable of falsifiable
• Logically possible
• Consistent with existing knowledge

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Stage 8 Challenge the Hypothesis

• Two ways are supported by different researchers
  to test the hypothesis
• Falsification
• Verification
• Who is right?
• Using predictions
• Do you need to modify your hypothesis?
• The process is iterative if hypothesis does not
  hold is there something else to learn from it?
• Repeatability of tests

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Stage 9 Reach a Conclusion

• Revisit checklist in stage 6
• Problem
• Goal-reference
• Looking back
• Ideas/Solutions
• Hypothesis partially wrong? Goto stage 3, 4 or 5.
• Hypothesis completely wrong?
• Hypothesis passes tests? ? Conclusion reached
• A conclusion should be
• Broad enough
• Limited enough
• Consistent
• An answer to the problem!

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Stage 10 Suspend Judgment

• Do not fall in love with your hypothesis or
  conclusion
• Keep an open mind and stay objective
• The effect of new discoveries

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Stage 11 Take Action

• The gaining acceptance stage
• Publish your findings
• Act in a timely manner
• Present your research and results in a marketable
  manner
• Give credit where deserved
• Suggest future direction
• Obstacles to acceptance

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But Arent We Missing 3?

• The SM-14 approach to the scientific method
  contains 14 ingredients
• In addition to the 11 stages, there are 3 more
  ingredients that are useful at every stage
• Use of creative, logical, non-logical, and
  technical methods
• Procedural principles and theories
• Attributes and thinking skills

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The DNA Example (Wikipedia)

• PART I The history of the discovery of the
  structure of DNA is a classic example of the
  elements of scientific method in 1950 it was
  known that genetic inheritance had a mathematical
  description, starting with the studies of Gregor
  Mendel. But the mechanism of the gene was
  unclear. Researchers in Bragg's laboratory at
  Cambridge University made X-ray diffraction
  pictures of various molecules, starting with
  crystals of salt, and proceeding to more
  complicated substances. Using clues which were
  painstakingly assembled over the course of
  decades, beginning with its chemical composition,
  it was determined that it should be possible to
  characterize the physical structure of DNA, and
  the X-ray images would be the vehicle

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The DNA Example

• PART I (contd) Linus Pauling proposed that DNA
  was a triple helix. Francis Crick and James
  Watson learned of Pauling's hypothesis,
  understood that Pauling was wrong and realized
  that Pauling would soon realize his mistake. So
  the race was on to figure out the correct
  structure. Except that Pauling did not realize at
  the time that he was in a race!

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The DNA Example

• PART II When Watson and Crick hypothesized that
  DNA was a double helix, Francis Crick predicted
  that an X-ray diffraction image of DNA would show
  an X-shape. Also in their first paper they
  predicted that the double helix structure that
  they discovered would prove important in biology
  writing
• The experiments result

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The DNA Example

• Part III After many iterations of experiments
  and observations Crick and Watson are credited
  with the discovery of the DNA structure

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Additional References

• www.thescientificmethod.com
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
• http//biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/sci_meth.
  htm
• http//teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/Appendi
  xE/AppendixE.html
• http//www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewe
  r.php?mid45