Scientific Method
"The Scientific Method is the process by which scientists, collectively and over time, endeavor to construct an accurate representation of the world. The scientific method attempts to minimize the influence of bias or prejudice in the experimenter when testing a hypothesis or a theory".
Funny thing about the scientific method, the more research I did from web site to web site it became apparent to me that there are many views to actually how many steps there are in the process. For the purpose of this assignment I am going to use the site that stated there are only four and focus my thoughts on these major parts. This article was derived from three different sources and I found it a little deceiving in that the definition stated that the scientific method is a process used by "scientists". I feel, and later read, that the scientific method can be linked to many everyday uses that are not always conducted in a lab. I can see the basic thought, testing and trial process in people when they are faced with something that they are un-clear what the outcome is going to be. Let me explain by breaking down the 4 major steps.
1."Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena". In this case you as a "scientist" need to pick a topic that interest you and develop a question that could be answered by your research and testing.
2. "Formulation of a hypothesis to explain the phenomena". In this step, you would take your question and formulate a prediction of what the outcome of your question is going to be.
3. "Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena or to predict quantitatively the results of new observations". Often times you need to consider how simple or extreme changes in the testing environment will affect your outcome.
4. "Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters and properly performed experiments". This is where you would actually conduct your experiment using what you
Funny thing about the scientific method, the more research I did from web site to web site it became apparent to me that there are many views to actually how many steps there are in the process. For the purpose of this assignment I am going to use the site that stated there are only four and focus my thoughts on these major parts. This article was derived from three different sources and I found it a little deceiving in that the definition stated that the scientific method is a process used by "scientists". I feel, and later read, that the scientific method can be linked to many everyday uses that are not always conducted in a lab. I can see the basic thought, testing and trial process in people when they are faced with something that they are un-clear what the outcome is going to be. Let me explain by breaking down the 4 major steps.
1."Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena". In this case you as a "scientist" need to pick a topic that interest you and develop a question that could be answered by your research and testing.
2. "Formulation of a hypothesis to explain the phenomena". In this step, you would take your question and formulate a prediction of what the outcome of your question is going to be.
3. "Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena or to predict quantitatively the results of new observations". Often times you need to consider how simple or extreme changes in the testing environment will affect your outcome.
4. "Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters and properly performed experiments". This is where you would actually conduct your experiment using what you
References: Wilson, E. Bright. An Introduction to Scientific Research (McGraw-Hill, 1952). Kuhn, Thomas Barrow, John. Theories of Everything (Oxford Univ. Press, 1991). Borror, Donald J. 1960. Dictionary of Root Words and Combining Forms. Mayfield Publ. Co. Campbell, Neil A., Lawrence G Campbell, Neil A., Lawrence G. Mitchell, Jane B. Reece. 1999. Biology: Concepts and Connections, 3rd Ed. Benjamin/Cummings Publ. Co., Inc. Menlo Park, CA. (plus earlier editions) Marchuk, William N T.A. Boden, R.J. Stepanski, and F.W. Stoss, Trends '91: A Compendium of Data on Global Change, ORNL/CDIAC-46 (Oak Ridge, TN: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, December 1991). Joint Statement of Science Academies: Global Response to Climate Change [PDF], 2005 The Latest Myths and Facts on Global Warming [PDF], Environmental Defense, 2005.