The Scientific Method Today

Dr. Vannevar Bush stated:
Advances in science when put out practical use mean:

• more jobs
• higher wages
• shorter hours
• more abundant crops
• more leisure for recreation, study and learning how to live without the deadening drudgery which has been the burden of the common man for ages past

Advances in science will also:

• bring higher standards of living
• lead to the prevention or cure of diseases
• promote conservaton of ur limited national resources
• assure means of defense against aggression

The flow of new scientific knowledge must be both continuous and substantial

But to achieve these objectives - to secure a high level of employment, to maintain a position of world leadership - the flow of new scientific knowledge must be both continuous and substantial.

Ingredient #13:

PROCEDURAL PRINCIPLES AND THEORIES

Since Galileo's time, various basic principles, guides, objectives, and thoughts about "the scientific method" and its use have been discussed and debated. There are no established standards concerning these procedural principles and theories.

Controversy exists about some, if not all, of them. Because these do not always apply to every circumstance, they must be considered and applied with an open mind as you pursue complete creative problem solving

The Organized Sciences

The organized sciences have their peer review systems, professional organizations, customs, consensus of opinion, ethical standards (I recommend NAS's responsible Science: Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process, Vol. I & II, 1993), and constant debates about theories, methods, what is the structure of science, and what is our "organized body of knowledge." Look first to them for leadership in procedural principles and theories, as they have been mainly responsible for these. A few major ones are listed below.

The Objective of The Scientific Method

The basic purpose is to refine, extend, and apply knowledge, and to seek the "truth," although the "truth" can probably never be determined. Results must always be held open to extension, modification, even possible replacement.

Experimentation - Testing and experimentation, whether on a blackboard or computer, or in the lab, are usually essential activities in the use of "The Scientific Method." Government standards must be observed in experiments involving people, animals, and the environment.

Replicable - Results must be reproducible, communicable, and communicated.

A Skeptical Attitude - A Skeptical Attitude toward authoritative statements is required in seeking the truth. Data used in your thinking must be "true" insofar as it is possible to determine "truth." It may be useful to determine key terminology.

Values and Ethics - As much as humanly possible, a researcher should strive to be free of prejudice and bias that often creep into human judgment and action. They must give due credit to his team or collaborators.

Infallibility - No claims should be made that "The Scientific Method" produces infallible solutions. State rather: "On the evidence available today, the balance of probability favors the view that ..."

Gather All Evidence - If bias or inadequate effort causes you to ignore or fail to find contrary evidence, you will not arrive at the "truth."

Mathematics - Qualitative and quantitative methods of mathematics should be used whenever possible.

Society - There is a growing interest in the concept that science is a social activity.

All Stages of The Scientific Method - EaHave various procedural principles and theories peculiar to them. See Stage 1 to 11.

Dr. Vannevar Bush, one of our foremost scientists and who aided the WWII effort and the establishment of the National Science foundation after the war, aptly described the value of scientific endeavor when he stated in 1945:

"Advances in science when put to practical use mean more jobs, higher wages, shorter hours, more abundant crops, more leisure for recreation, for study, for learning how to live without the deadening drudgery which has been the burden of the common man for ages past.

Advances in science will also bring higher standards of living, will lead to the prevention or cure of diseases, will promote conservation of our limited national resources, and will assure means of defense against aggression. But to achieve these objectives - to secure a high level of employment, to maintain a position of world leadership - the flow of new scientific knowledge must be both continuous and substantial."

It is this "flow of new scientific knowledge" from the scientific method that has earned it these well deserved praises:

• "the greatest discovery of science" and
• "the greatest idea of all times."