scientific method
Systematic inquiry approach
The scientific method is the systematic approach to investigating phenomena through observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis.
A researcher observes something, proposes an explanation, designs experiments to test it, and revises the explanation based on results.
The process emphasizes reproducibility—others should be able to repeat the experiment and get similar findings.
The scientific method requires that claims be testable and falsifiable.
Expert evaluation before publication
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- corroborationEvidence confirming another account
reproducibility · scrutiny · confirmation · independent testing · retraction · publication · journal · credibility
Facts for analysis
- resultsWhat follows from effort
- statisticsCollected numerical information
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
regression · controls · bias · findings · conclusions · evidence · inference · variables
Prone to fluctuation
- control groupUntreated subjects for comparison
- procedurePrescribed sequence of actions
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
manipulation · sample · test · laboratory · independent variable · dependent variable · randomization · blind study
Observable facts or events
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- data collectionSystematic accumulation of facts
- sensoryRelated to perception
- recordingCaptured audio or video
fieldwork · documentation · instrumentation · notation · specimen · pattern recognition · objectivity
Deriving specifics from generals
- inductiveDeriving general from particular
- critical thinkingObjective evaluation of information
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
abstraction · conceptualization · hypothesis testing · conclusion · evidence-based · systematic thinking · argumentation · premises
Explanatory set of principles
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- propositionStatement expressing a judgment
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- predictionForecast of coming events
thesis · premise · speculation · inference · postulation · supposition · formulation · testable
peer review
Expert evaluation before publication
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
corroboration · reproducibility · scrutiny · confirmation · independent testing · retraction · publication · journal · credibility · consensus
data
Facts for analysis
- resultsWhat follows from effort
- statisticsCollected numerical information
- interpretationAssigned meaning
correlation · regression · controls · bias · findings · conclusions · evidence · inference · variables · samples
variable
Prone to fluctuation
- control groupUntreated subjects for comparison
- procedurePrescribed sequence of actions
- trialJudicial examination of claims
replication · manipulation · sample · test · laboratory · independent variable · dependent variable · randomization · blind study · placebo
phenomena
Observable facts or events
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- data collectionSystematic accumulation of facts
- sensoryRelated to perception
recording · fieldwork · documentation · instrumentation · notation · specimen · pattern recognition · objectivity
deductive
Deriving specifics from generals
- inductiveDeriving general from particular
- critical thinkingObjective evaluation of information
- logicScience of valid reasoning
inference · abstraction · conceptualization · hypothesis testing · conclusion · evidence-based · systematic thinking · argumentation · premises
theory
Explanatory set of principles
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- propositionStatement expressing a judgment
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
prediction · thesis · premise · speculation · inference · postulation · supposition · formulation · testable · falsifiable
- Arts & Sciencescreativity, music, painting, sculpture, literature
- problem-solvingproblem solving, puzzles, riddles, logic, solutions
- sciencebiology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology
- STEMengineering, mathematics, math, technology, chemistry
- history termsempire, dynasty, colonialism, Renaissance, Enlightenment
- researchstudy, research papers, researching, archive, peer review
scientific methodfaith
Trust without proof
superstition · dogma · pseudoscience · mysticism · magical thinking
scientific methodgut feeling
Instinctive sense about something
intuition · guesswork · wishful thinking · shooting from the hip · flying blind
scientific methoddivine revelation
Deity communicates to humanity
scripture · sacred texts · papal authority · personal testimony · hearsay
science, method, scientist, scientific, methods, methodical, unscientific, methodology, scientists