scientific methodology
Systematic inquiry approach
Scientific methodology is the systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis.
The term covers both the general principles of scientific inquiry—controlled experiments, reproducible results, peer review—and the specific procedures used in particular fields: The study's scientific methodology involved double-blind trials.
Distinguished from casual observation by its emphasis on rigor, transparency, and falsifiability.
Based on observation, not theory
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- replicabilityAbility to duplicate results
- neutralityState of taking sides
control group · experimental design · double-blind · placebo-controlled · reliability · validity · precision · accuracy
Testable proposed explanation
- variableProne to fluctuation
- controlAuthority to direct
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- trialJudicial examination of claims
laboratory · protocol · apparatus · specimen · replication · manipulation · conditions · parameters
Collected numerical information
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- regressionReturn to former state
- samplingExtracting subset for study
- quantitativeConcerning measurable amounts
qualitative · normalization · clustering · classification · validation · interpretation · visualization · data mining
Detailed evaluative analysis
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- revisionAltering to improve
- journalRecord of daily events
publication · referee · manuscript · submission · retraction · citation · blind review · editorial
Conclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- causationProduction of effects
abstraction · generalization · falsification · paradigm · framework · axiom · postulate · conjecture
empirical
Based on observation, not theory
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- replicabilityAbility to duplicate results
neutrality · control group · experimental design · double-blind · placebo-controlled · reliability · validity · precision · accuracy · calibration
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- variableProne to fluctuation
- controlAuthority to direct
- observationAttentive watching or remark
trial · laboratory · protocol · apparatus · specimen · replication · manipulation · conditions · parameters · procedure
statistics
Collected numerical information
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- regressionReturn to former state
- samplingExtracting subset for study
quantitative · qualitative · normalization · clustering · classification · validation · interpretation · visualization · data mining · pattern recognition
critique
Detailed evaluative analysis
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- revisionAltering to improve
journal · publication · referee · manuscript · submission · retraction · citation · blind review · editorial · rebuttal
deduction
Conclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- logicScience of valid reasoning
causation · abstraction · generalization · falsification · paradigm · framework · axiom · postulate · conjecture · proof
scientific methodologysuperstition
Baseless belief in omens
magical thinking · intuition · guesswork · pseudoscience · mysticism
scientific methodologywinging it
Proceeding without preparation
guesswork · seat-of-the-pants · cherry-picking · wishful thinking · shooting from the hip
scientific methodologyblind faith
Trust without requiring proof
religious dogma · faith · divine revelation · fundamentalism · creationism
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