'Systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses' The Oxford English Dictionary
The scientific method is an ongoing process, which usually begins with observations about the natural world.
Human beings are naturally inquisitive, so they often come up with questions about things they see or hear and often develop ideas (hypotheses) about why things are the way they are.
The best hypotheses lead to predictions that can be tested in various ways, including making further observations about nature.
In general, the strongest tests of hypotheses come from carefully controlled and replicated experiments that gather empirical data.
Depending on how well the tests match the predictions, the original hypothesis may require refinement, alteration, expansion or even rejection.
If a particular hypothesis becomes very well supported a general theory may be developed.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
Physicist Richard Feynman explains the scientific and
unscientific methods of understanding nature
'tomorrows experiment may succeed in proving what you thought was right, wrong. So we are never right, we can only be sure we are wrong' Richard FeynmanIn science, a fact is a repeatable careful observation or measurement (by experimentation or other means), also called empirical evidence.
Facts are central to building scientific theories.
Various forms of observation and measurement lead to fundamental questions about the scientific method, and the scope and validity of scientific reasoning.
In the most basic sense, a scientific fact is an objective and verifiable observation, in contrast with a hypothesis or theory, which is intended to explain or interpret facts.
-Wikipedia
Apart from the fundamental inquiry into the nature of scientific fact, there remain the practical and social considerations of how fact is investigated, established, and substantiated through the proper application of the scientific method.
Scientific facts are generally believed independent of the observer: no matter who performs a scientific experiment, all observers agree on the outcome.
In addition to these considerations, there are the social and institutional measures, such as peer review and accreditation, that are intended to promote factual accuracy (among other interests) in scientific study.-Wikipedia
Scientific Reasoning
One thing is common to all forms of science: an ultimate goal "to know."
Curiosity and inquiry are the driving forces for the development of science.
Scientists seek to understand the world and the way it operates. To do this, they use two methods of logical thinking: inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning.
Source: Boundless. “Scientific Reasoning.”
'We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology' Dr. Carl Sagan
Scientific skeptics attempt to evaluate claims based on verifiability and falsifiability and discourage accepting claims on faith or anecdotal evidence.
Skeptics often focus their criticism on claims they consider to be implausible, dubious or clearly contradictory to generally accepted science.
Scientific skeptics do not assert that unusual claims should be automatically rejected out of hand on a priori grounds - rather they argue that claims of paranormal or anomalous phenomena should be critically examined and that extraordinary claims would require extraordinary evidence in their favor before they could be accepted as having validity.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine lays out a
"Baloney Detection Kit".
"Baloney Detection Kit".
Ten questions we should ask when encountering a claim:
1. How reliable is the source of the claim?
1. How reliable is the source of the claim?
2.Does the source make similar claims?
3. Have the claims been verified by somebody else?
4. Does this fit with the way the world works?
5. Has anyone tried to disprove the claim?
6. Where does the preponderance of evidence point?
7. Is the claimant playing by the rules of science?
8. Is the claimant providing positive evidence?
9. Does the new theory account for as many phenomena as the old theory?
10. Are personal beliefs driving the claim?
Aliens, Princess Diana & Moon landing.
Online Resources:
RationalWiki: - Analyse and refute psuedoscience and anti-science claims.
Green Facts: - Producing factual content of complex scientific consensus reports on health and the environment to the reach of non-specialists.
Histography: - Interactive timeline that spans across 14 billion years of history.
Snopes: - Researching urban legends (check Snopes before posting/sharing).
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