SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• CSC 426
• Ali

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OVERVIEW

• DEFINITION OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD
• SOLUTION PROCESS
• PHASE 1
• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• BACKGROUND CHECK
• PHASE 2
• SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPLIED
• PHASE 3
• REPLICATION AND PEER REVIEW
• UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

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DEFINITION OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• The scientific method
• Applies to a measurable problem
• is a step-by-step procedure to solve a stated
  problem through experiments or observation
• Outlines a set of requirements at every step
• Does not allow shortcuts in the main steps.

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Forms of scientific method

• The scientific method can be based on inductive
  reasoning or deductive reasoning. 1
• Inductive reasoning. Reasoning from the
  particular to the general.
• Based on experiments. Better suited for physical
  sciences. Causal action Most used
• Based on observation/interviews. Better suited
  for Anthropology, Astronomy, etc.. Descriptive
• Deductive reasoning. Reasoning from the general
  to the particular.

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Phase 1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

• The problem should be
• Measurable (submits to the scientific method)
• Clearly and concisely stated
• If necessary, divided into simpler measurable
  components

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Problem Statement - Examples
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Problem Statement Questions

• Steps to refine a problem
• Benefits (immediate, long-term, etc.)
• Timeline (when did the problem happen?)
• Localization (narrow the scope of problem)
• Population (focus on specific groups)
• Urgency (deadline to solve a problem)

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Background Research

• Once the problem has been adequately stated,
• Do background research on the problem
• potential solutions may already exist
• Helpful discussions or hypotheses may exist
• If the problem has been solved, move on!
• Else, revise the problem or select a new one.

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Problem Statement - Summary

• 
  
• Background work
• 
  
• Yes
• No
• 
  

Problem Statement
Problem Already Solved?
Scientific Method
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Phase 2 - SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• The scientific method is a tool to solve the
  stated problem
• It is composed of four steps in order
• Formulation of a hypothesis.
• Conducting experiments or making observations.
• Testing resulting data.
• Reaching a conclusion.

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Formulating a Hypothesis General Requirements

• A hypothesis is an educated guess about solving
  the stated problem.
• Requirements
• Specific to the problem
• Clearly stated (preferably as a statement)
• Testable
• Refutable
• Verifiable (directly or indirectly)

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Formulating a Hypothesis Examples
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Testing Your Hypothesis General Requirements

• Hypothesis is tested through experiments and
  observation
• Experiments and observation must be related to
  the hypothesis
• Relationships cause-and-effect or correlations
• Tools must be readily available
• All experiments, observations and results
  recorded
• No bias. Do not favor supporting data
• Do not use outside elements (politics,) to force
  acceptance of hypothesis.

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Hypothesis Testing Specific Requirements
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Hypothesis Testing Examples
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Data analysis

•  Measurements resulting from experiments and
  observations should be collected, analyzed and
  documented
• Resulting data should be used to validate or
  falsify hypothesis
• If a hypothesis is refuted (null hypothesis
  succeeds), a new hypothesis should be constructed
  and the process restarted.

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Data Analysis Examples
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Final Phase

• Unsolicited replication of experiments
• Peer review

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Scientific Method- Summary

• 
  
• 
  Yes
• No
• 
  No
• No
• Yes
• 
  Yes
  

Problem Statement
Problem Already Solved?
Provide Hypothesis
Check Hypothesis
Test again
Conclusive?
Test Results
Publish!
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• Thank You!

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References

• 1 Jere H. Lipps. http//palaeo-electronica.org/
  2000_2/editor/jere.htm
• Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of
  Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley,
  CA 94720, USA. Nov. 2000
• 2 CBS Face the Nation. http//www.msnbc.msn.com
  /id/30179854/
• Mexico Weapons from U.S. fuel drug war.
  Associated Press, April 12, 2009
• 3 Brad Lemley. Guth's Grand Guess.
  http//discovermagazine.com/2002/apr/cover/?search
  termGuth27s20Grand20Guess. April 1, 2002
• 3 ALAN H. GUTH, Victor F. Weisskopf Professor
  of Physics. http//web.mit.edu/physics/facultyands
  taff/faculty/alan_guth.html
• CSC426 Class Material.