Essay On Scientific Method

Rene Descartes' Impact on the Scientific Method

People have always thought about the world around them. Through the centuries they have wondered about what their surroundings were made of. Modern science has proven to be most effective in explaining our environment. What makes modern science superior to the ancient schools of thought is the employment of the scientific method. The man credited to a great extent with the development of the scientific method is RenГ© Descartes, a French philosopher who lived from 1596 to 1650. The Cartesian method maintains that in order to arrive at a groundwork for a structure of thought, commonly accepted knowledge must be abandoned, based as it is on the subjective nature of the senses. Science is...show more content...

In the 18th centurymathematicians, who also employ the scientific method, gave it a solid foundation by rigorously proving the correctness of calculus and making it coherent.

The deception of the mind by the senses is an important issue addressed in Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy. He states that:

I shall then suppose, not that God who is supremely good and the fountain of truth, but some evil genius not less powerful than deceitful, has employed whole energies in deceiving me; I shall consider that the heavens, the earth, colours, figures, sound, and all other external things are nought but the illusions and dreams of which this genius has availed himself in order to lay traps for my credulity; I shall consider myself as having no hands, no eyes, no flesh, no blood, nor any senses, yet falsely believing myself to possess all these things; I shall remain obstinately attached to this idea, and if by this means it is not in my power to arrive at the knowledge of any truth, I may at least do what is in my power [i.e. suspend my judgment], and with firm purpose avoid giving credence to any false thing, or being imposed upon by this arch deceiver, however powerful and deceptive he may be (Porter 34).

Scientists must question observations the same way as Descartes sets out to, though to a lesser degree. The scientific method holds that a reliable explanation of phenomena can be achieved through experiment,

The Scientific Method is the approach that scientists use to investigate some phenomena. It's a standard technique to find cause and effect of a particular problem.

I am going to introduce how the scientific method works using interesting research paper "Racial and Ethnic Residential Segregation, the Neighborhood Socioeconomic Environment, and Obesity among Blacks and Mexican Americans". There are a series of steps that scientists used to understand the problem.

The first step of the scientific method is observation of phenomena. The authors of article observed a high rate of obesity. In such a case they began their investigation with making a number of different observations concerning obesity.

So once they decided what to investigate, the...show more content...

Goal of the experiment was to determine the effect of racial and ethnic residential segregation, the neighborhood socioeconomic environment on level of obesity. So to know if our hypothesis is correct was used cross–sectional data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on approximately 5000 black and Mexican–American adult participants who was living in disadvantaged segregated neighborhoods (1999–2006). These areas were chosen for the experiment because they implied as poor with limited access to health–promoting resources. Segregation could impact the obesity level, which had increased for blacks and Mexican Americans. So to prove the hypothesis was conducted experiment which determines the impact of racial/ethnic segregation with limiting opportunities on the level of obesity.

During the experiment were calculated obesity body mass index and were identified participants who were obese in areas of black and Mexican American segregations. Having carefully recorded data is very important during the experiment because it could lead to more correct conclusion. So for accurate recording of observation some of participants were excluded from the experiment because was missing the information about their height or weight, educational level, income, or because some of them were

Scientific Theory Essay

Scientific Theory

A scientific theory is a well–substantiated explanation of some aspects of the natural world, based on a body of knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Scientist creates scientific theories from hypothesis that have been corroborated through the scientific method, then gather evidence to test their accuracy. The strength of a scientifictheory is related to the diversity of phenomena it can explain, which is measured by its ability to make falsifiable predictions with respect to the phenomena. Scientific theories are the most reliable, rigorous, and comprehensive for of scientific knowledge.

The scientific method involves the proposal and testing of hypotheses, by deriving...show more content...

Theories are the main goal in science and no explanation can achieve a higher rank. (to the belief that "theories" become "laws" over time). In some cases, theories can unify. Two or more theories can be replaces by a single theory which explains the previous theories as approximations or special cases, comparable to the way a theorys is connecting explanation for many confirmed hypotheses: This is reffered to as Unification of Theories. Both scientific laws and scientific theories are produced from scientific methods through the formation and testing of hypotheses, and can predict the behavior of the natural world. Both are typically supported by observation and experimental science. However, scientific laws are descriptive accounts of how nature will behave under certain conditions. Scientific theories are broader in scope, and give overarching explanations of how nature works and why it exhibits certain characteristics. They are supported by evidence from many different sources, and may contain one or more laws.

Both scientific laws and scientific theories come from the scientific method through the formation and testing of hypotheses, and can predict the behavior of the natural world. Both are usually well supported by observations and/or experimental evidence. However laws are descriptive accounts of how nature will behave under certain conditions. Assumption is a Get more

Scientific Method

Science is an objective method used explain the natural phenomena of the universe. The practice of a scientific method provides a detailed outline that contributes to expressing how to determine if a theory is scientific. A continual cycle that emphasizes the techniques of observations, questions, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, and conclusion. The complications that arise when applying thescientific method to all theories is that science is subject to change; therefore, it is hard to modify extensive ideas to a few simplified steps. A scientific explanation depends on existing experimental theories to validate or disprove present and future logical arguments. This is because previous observations support abstract methods that may not be testable and the continual change is dependent on specific predictions and discoveries.

Many aspects of scientific knowledge are hypothetical ideas, however, they contribute the same level of importance compared to a logical fact. A scientific explanation is shaped from existing intelligence to develop future studies and...show more content... Science is revised constantly; progressive observations that support and expand on existing ideas are documented. When new knowledge is interpreted by scientists, they must perform a series of experimental trials. These observations can either confirm or contradict the analysis, both are beneficial to resolving the experiment. Scientific explanations are dependent of proof. For example, when a new theory is published, the scientific method for the examination is accessible for others to review. The public has the capacity to acquire the experiment's reports and contribute that data to their own hypothesis. Science is justified through the combination of solutions. Current ideas are continually challenged by others attempting to modify and simplify them into a universal Get

Five Step Scientific Method

The scientific method is a five step processes that is observation and research, hypothesis, prediction, experimentation, and conclusion. In the observation and research stage it is the first step to understanding a problem, this would require research. The hypothesis is having a possible answer to a problem or outcome. The prediction is the answer based on if the hypothesis is true or not and if it is true than an assumed prediction can be made. Finally when all the guess work is done it is time to experiment to find the answer. The experiment stage can answer the problem or answer an unattended problem. The conclusion is the answer that the conclusion gives but this doesn't mean there is am solution for the problem ("Scientific Method," n.d.)....show more content...

Every genuine test of a scientific theory, then, is logically an attempt to refute or to falsify it, and one genuine counter–instance falsifies the whole theory. In...theory of demarcation is based upon ... perception of the logical asymmetry which holds between verification and falsification: it is logically impossible to conclusively verify a universal proposition by reference to experience ..., but a single counter–instance conclusively falsifies the corresponding universal law. In a word, an exception, far from 'proving' a rule, conclusively refutes it (Thornton,

The Scientific Method Of Social Science Essay

The Sociologic Scientific Method The scientific method is used to research a concept through all sciences. Social science uses the scientific method to systematically approach a research question or problems through objective and accurate observations, collection and analysis of data, and experimentation. Sociological research is the scientific means of acquiring information about various aspects of society and social behavior. Sociologist uses the scientific method to answer important questions just like any other scientist but instead they answer questions about society, deviance, and other cultures. Throughout this paper the scientific method will be used to analysis a research question. While following all of the strategic steps of the scientific method I will research the following question, "is violent behavior created in the environment a child lives in or the environment of their society?" The first step of the scientific method is defining the problem and producing a research question, in this case I am the researcher and the question I propose is "is violent behavior created in the environment a child lives in or the environment of their society?" The research question should be as clear and explanatory as possible so that readers get a clear understanding of what you are asking. Also when producing a research question the researcher must note all of the limitations, objectives, and purposes of the research. After choosing your topic or question the researcher Get

Scientific Method

Thales of Miletus (624

546 B.C.) was the first to suggest a single material substratum for the universe namely water or moisture. His cosmology proposes that all objects in the universe are composed of water. His choice of water as the component building block of all matter may have been due to the apparent motion of bodies of water and the conversion of water to vapor and back.

Anaximander of Miletus (610–545 B.C.) was the foremost student of Thales. He denied Thales claim that water was the basic matter of the universe, stating instead that the world was derived from apeiron (meaning "unlimited"). The state of apeiron preceeded the separation into other qualities, such as hot and cold or wet and dry , and thus...show more content...

Each generation of scientists takes the knowledge, theories and cosmologies of the generations of scientists who came before, building and expanding on them in light of new developments and knowledge. Does the fact that a theory of our scientific forefathers, which had been universally accepted, is proven incorrect invalidate their efforts? I donГ•t believe so, but Sir Karl Popper, in Science: Conjectures and Refutations, would seem to argue otherwise when he states that "the criterion of the scientific status of a theory is its falsifiability."

The modern scientific method is composed of several steps: observation, hypothesis, experimentation and verification. On observation of a phenomenon a scientist will attempt to interpret the phenomenon is light of current scientific knowledge (theory). The scientist will then attempt to develop experiments in which to determine the validity of the theory. Through this experimentation the theory will either be validated or disproved. Popper states that any experiment must be a serious attempt to disprove or invalidate the theory being tested, and further, that any theory so disproven cannot be considered science.

Poppers views descend from the fact that the physical laws, whether known or as yet undiscovered, are immutable. Science, though, is the discipline concerned with the search for these unchanging physical laws. The history of science is a progression of insights and revelations based on the

Part I. It was the finals of the 2004 swimming state championships. I was seated second in the 100–yard individual breaststroke. My heart was pounding as I swam my warm up laps. I would have to drop about a second or so to have any shot at the title and the gold. I hopped out of the warm up pool, and headed over to grab my towel and work out a strategy plan with my coach. The first order of business was to address the main problem. I needed to win. My coach had gathered information on my competition. We knew her best personal times, the way she trained, and how much she had rested for this meet. From all of this info being hurriedly spoken to in my ear, as I made my way to the blocks, enabled me to...show more content... Then it was time to test the hypothesis, make an experimental design, and make our observations. I made my move on the third lap, and ended up winning the race. Here the actual race was the experimental design, from which my coach and I were able to make the observations that sense I won, our hypothesis was indeed correct. We could have made a graph showing all the racers in the race if we would have liked. We then were able to support the hypothesis, and also publish any types of results we would have liked. My personnel experience coincides with the scientific method all the way through. We unknowingly pretty much did all of the steps in the scientific method on our own accord. The ones left out such as the graphs were not necessary for my specific problem.

Part II. I am currently dealing with the problem of cooking a salmon dinner for my boyfriend. I am a good cook, and really good baker, but I am not as familiar nor as comfortable using the grill. This would be my problem. I need to do a good job grilling salmon for him for our anniversary dinner. So I first need to identify the problem at hand, which is needing to cook a successful meal. Next, the scientific method states that I need to collect information on how to accomplish this task. I went to the local bookstore and bought a book on ways to grill your favorite foods. Now it would be time for me to form my hypothesis. My hypothesis is that if I grill the salmon for 20 minutes on 450

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is an organized way that helps anyone answer a question or begin to solve a problem. It is used in all types of Sciences such as Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Psychology. For psychologists it offers a standardized way to test a hypothesis, build on theories, and gain knowledge about the mind. There are several steps to TheScientific Method and each step serves its own purpose. By using the Scientific Method, you can understand better what psychologists go through to arrive at conclusions about human behavior. The first step in the Scientific Method is to formulate a specific question that can be tested. Once you have identified the question, you can formulate a hypothesis. The hypothesis explains the association between

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The Scientific Method is the standardized procedure that scientists are supposed to follow when conducting experiments, in order to try to construct a reliable, consistent, and non–arbitrary representation of our surroundings. To follow the Scientific Method is to stick very tightly to a order of experimentation. First, the scientist must observe the phenomenon of interest. Next, the scientist must propose a hypothesis, or idea in which the experiments will be based around. Then, through repeated experimentation, the hypothesis can either be proven false or become a theory . If the hypothesis is proven to be false, the scientist must reformulate his or her ideas and come up with another hypothesis, and the experimentation begins again. This...show more content...

Furthermore, flies were observed laying eggs where the maggots formed. Thus, he concluded that maggots are the result of flies, not spontaneous generation. He then called the principles behind his experiment "Metodo Scientifico" or The Scientific Method.

The first cases of what would be considered properly using the Scientific Method can be found earlier, though, back in the studies of Galileo, early in the 17th century. He first observed that heavy objects gain speed as they fall. He then proposed, or hypothesized, that the rate of falling of massive objects was proportional to the distance that the object has fallen. Following the Scientific Method, he tested his hypothesis and found it to be false, since objects falling unequal distances do not fall in the same amount of time, as his hypothesis led to. Since his hypothesis failed, he made a new one, which proposed that the rate at which an object falls is directly proportional to the time the object has spent falling. This was tested by rolling balls down an inclined plane and calculating the speed and time values from those observations. Later, these experiments led to the discovery of the gravitational constant g, and a better understanding of the Scientific Method.

The Method has been used many times since Galileo conducted his experiments, and it has been considered a valid way of conducting experiments since Get more content

The Usefulness of the Scientific Method The development of the scientific method in the late 1500's to the early 1600's was a crucial stepping–stone in the science community. The scientific method is based upon observations, hypotheses and experimentation. The concept is rather simple, and can be applied to many areas of study. Once an observation is made, the observer can make a hypothesis as to why that phenomenon occurs and can then design an experiment to prove whether or not that hypotheses is valid. Although the scientific method has been extremely useful in the discovery of various things from usages of medications to studying animal behavior, there are still those who question the usage of this tool. These critics claim that since...show more content...

There are several disease that are we still do not know much about despite copious amounts of research. Cancer and Alzheimer's are two major examples of these mysterious diseases. Although the scientific method is useful in the development and research on various medications and treatments, there are still limitations. Patients react to treatments in various ways, because bodies and systems vary from person to person. There is simply too many variable to be able to pinpoint the exact reaction a patient may have. Clinical trials and studies can narrow down these reactions down to a list of possible side effects, but doctors can never know for sure how a patient will respond. There are many unknowns and treating actual patients is much different that conducting an experiment investigating how two medications will effect an experimental unit. During a designed experiment, the experimenter can control all the variables except for the experimental variable and get clear straightforward results. On the other hand, when treating a real patient with a severe illness, such as cancer, the physician has to keep an eye on all body systems. They cannot simple give all of their attention to the area of the body that is currently affected. In these practical settings, there is simply too many variables for the scientific method to be as useful as it normally

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Scientific method what comes to mind? Do we start thinking of some type of formal process that will answer all our scientific questions or problems? When I was in school many years ago, we were taught that scientists go through a series of steps to find a solution to a problem or find evidence to support or disprove a theory. It all seemed rather cold, and formal. Going back to school, school has taught me that science has undergone significant changes and has moved away from the rigidity of a fixed series of steps in what was formerly called the scientific method. I think the best way to describe what helps me understand scientific method, is trying to shed some light on the uncertainties through...show more content...

What I have found is that a lot of research on adult learner has been done only performed recently. If we go back to the first half of the twenty first century, organization theory was dominated by classicists who viewed organizations as rational systems and valued efficient operations above all. They promoted the idea that management is a process of planning, organization, command, coordination n, and control and that design of an organization should be like that of a machine. This concept spawned the modern bureaucracy. (Morgan, 1997a) Morgan's points out those organizations could be considered cold and dehumanizing, so we are suppose to think of organizations as machines? As we interact everyday with many organizations that are bureaucracies such the schools we attend, the bank we keep our money. Bureaucracies have been a very successful because they work and they are efficient. They have been consistence and persisted because this gives the manager control over the people. This concept was ingrained in managers. This theory was scientificly management was developed by Fredrick Taylor during the early

Essay Scientific Method

Unit 9 Final Project (Science Meets Real Life)

SC300

July 16, 2013

Tarah Wells

The Scientific Method

Each and every day, you are faced with having to make split–second decisions, and the need to solve random problems that you encounter. To reach those decisions and work those problems out you are subconsciously using the scientific method. Apply the steps of the Scientific Method to two situations that could occur in your everyday life. Use the scientific method in the first scenario provided by your instructor to solve the problem at hand. Scenario 1: An overflowing or cloggedtoiletMy youngest son has recently been potty trained, so I took him to use the "big boy" potty. He used the toilet right away, wipe, and then (his...show more content... Pieces of tissue with glitter along with pink and blue color on them. The water and tissue then began going down the toilet rapidly. So I gave it an extra flush and everything went flowing down the toilet like it was supposed to. My hypothesis was true. This problem has been solved correctly. Come to find out, my daughter was enjoying polishing her nails. She was trying different colors and designs. She used plenty or more than enough tissue to clean her nails and change the site of them. Instead of putting the tissue in the trash can, she decided to put the tissue in the toilet. She was able to flush the toilet being that there was no previous clog up. The water just flowed down and the tissue lingered around which caused the toilet to become clogged. Scenario 2: A problem with an appliance at your home. My family and I just moved into a new home. One morning not long after moving there and eating picnic food and/or fast food we decided it was time to go grocery shopping. We went to the grocery store, came home, unload the trunk full of groceries, and load it into the freezer. Later on I went into the freezer to grab some ice cream for the kids to eat and it was soft. It did not become soft during the ride home from the grocery store. I am sure of that because we carry a cooler filled with ice when we go grocery shopping. I stuck the ice cream back into the freezer. Ask Question: Why was the ice cream soft when I removed it from the freezer?

Scientific Method In Psychology

The lesson that is perhaps the most important one we learned this week is the scientific method. The scientific method is not only used in particularly every subsection in science, but allows psychologists to test different ideas about behavior. Pastorino and Doyle–Portillo in the General Psychology textbook describes the scientific method as " a set of rules for gathering and analyzing information that enables you to test an idea or hypothesis". (8) All scientists adhere to these standard set of rules in order to be able to better analyze the data and share the results throughout the scientific community. The scientific method consists of a few distinct parts: allow for observation, make a prediction, form a hypothesis, choose a research method/ design an...show more content...

The next step is to form a testable hypothesis, or educated guess. A hypothesis must phrased in a way that in which another person can test the same hypothesis to verify or discredit it. After the hypothesis is formed, the experimenter must choose and appropriate research study. For example, if a scientist want to do a study about the behaviors of a particular person, like in the case Phineas Gage and the psychological affects of the iron rod that shot through his head, than the scientist may want to conduct a case study. Once the research method is established and the study has been planned out, then it is time to conduct the experiment and collect the data. The final step is to analyze the data to see if it supports or rejects the hypothesis. If the results do not support the hypothesis, then one should revise their hypothesis. If the results do support the hypothesis, then the study should be replicated to validate this study. Sharing the results of the experiment with other members of the scientific community is also an important part is advancing one's understanding of the particular

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The Importance Of The Scientific Method

The scientific method in the twenty–first century represents a major role of testing our hypothesis' whether it is in the industry, school, market, or in our lives. We are constantly coming up with theories or ideas and conducting experiments on these ideas without even realizing it. The scientific method allows us to expand our knowledge in certain fields that we are mastered in or helps us learn new possibilities that we are not aware of. The use of chemistry and the scientific method is important to incorporate into our lives and society.

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is defined as " a way of learning that emphasizes observation and experimentation– to understand the world" (Tro, 2015, p. 6). The scientific method involves major characteristics such as an observation. When making an observation, it can simply be by looking at a sample with your eyes or by using instruments that can make observing a sample easier, such as a microscope. Next, the scientist would formulate a hypothesis. Formulating a hypothesis is simply stating what the scientist observed and what they want to explore and measure. Following the creating of a hypothesis comes conducting an experiment using the hypothesis. Conducting an experiment is a "highly controlled observations designed to validate or invalidate hypotheses" (Tro, 2015, p. 6). Lastly, the scientific method concludes with laws and theories. In some cases, experiments and observations can lead to the development of a

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The Scientific Method

In the article understanding "Science and How it Really Works", It becomes apparent that the Scientific Method is much more involved and dynamic than simply forming a Hypothesis, making observations, conducting an experiment and forming a conclusion based on the data collected. While these processes are the backbone they don't necessarily always follow one another in a sequence and there is much more involved in each step than one may perceive from the simple list. Generally speaking the Scientific Method begins with an observation that allows you to form a hypothesis. In order to come up with a well informed hypothesis one can look through scientific journals that may lend some light onto the subject your thinking of investigating. Sometimes talking with peers or discovering new tools on the market that allow you to look at things differently than before can be inspirational and lead to observations that then allow you to form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a...show more content... Good experiments that produce reliable data generally have some factors to consider. The sample size and whether it is a good representation of the "universe" you are considering. Are there any biases in the way in which the samples are selected? In other words is it random and does everything within your "universe" have an equal chance of being selected in your sample? If you are testing the effects of certain drugs for example is there a control group that is not receiving the treatment? Last but not least, can the experiment be repeated by others? Conducting a good experiment may be the most difficult part of the scientific method. Often times there are constraints that don't allow you to perform the perfect experiment. This may include budget limits, ethical considerations, of the inability to control other factors that may influence your

Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

Utilizing The Scientific Method

SCI110, Introduction to Science

May 1, 2015

The Scientific method is a process that scientists use to solve a problem. It generally involves four distinct steps that constitute the "Scientific Method". This paper describes the steps of the scientific method, and its application in a real–world scenario we experienced.

Step 1: Formulating a Problem

Formulating a problem can range from simple to difficult solutions to a problem. In order to solve a problem, you must first know what the problem is. To begin with we can determine what the problem is not, just based on facts known by yourself, coworkers, friends or family. By asking a question, eliminating...show more content...

When the water level in the sump pit rises, this switch turns on the pump. This pumps the water out of the pit and into a pipe which ejects the drainage water out of the house and (hopefully) far away from the house."

With the sump pump installed, we waited for severe rainstorms to hit before observing the results. After one light storm, there was no flooding. But after a second, more severe storm, the floor continued to take on water, which led us to the Conclusion that either the flooding was not due to the rising water table, or the sump pump was ineffective at stopping the rising water table.

At that point we decided to observe the flow of water outside during the next big storm. When it finally hit, we went outside and observed a significant amount of water flowing straight down the wall just outside the walkway, from the top of the walkway under the deck. Once again, the walkway floor took on water. We revised ourHypothesis to state that the basement walkway was flooding due to water flowing directly down the exterior wall, underground, where it entered gaps in the wall to the walkway.

Our solution to test the Hypothesis was to install a gutter under the deck, under the flashing which separated the walkway roof to the walkway

exterior wall. This would catch rain water and funnel it away from the wall, therefore preventing water from flowing directly down the wall where it could enter the walkway

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Knowledge and Scientific Methods As we talk about scientific thinking in class, we come upon the term of critical thinking to describe scientific thinking. When evaluating any sort of scientific claims, we must make sure that we are able to justify them and ignore any evidence that can blind from the truth. When we think scientifically, we must look at all the possibilities which are crucial to help us think critically. There are some explanations that need more evidence than what we really see because sometimes we do not see all the truth behind the reasoning, which include the six principles. Those six principles are ruling out rival hypothesis, correlation vs. causation, falsifiability, replicability, extraordinary claims and last...show more content...

We found that many scientist have been trying to research stem cells for a while now. Because it is a very controversial topic, many seems to not agree with this idea as stated in (Rehman, 2014). It takes so much research to be able to find out the results that stem cells can actually have. In the stem cell research they claim that they can have specialized cells (embryotic cells), to help produce more cells that able to cure other diseases. Since this research take a lot of time and embryotic cells to do it makes the research harder to do. In this claim I think that the principle of replicability is necessary in order to make sure that this claim can actually help in bone–narrow and other things. If we are not sure that this cannot help certain diseases as it claims then why should be using the embryotic cells on research that does not help. For these reason, having this research replicable by many people is an important factor to find the effectiveness of this procedure. Since bone–narrow is common we must replicate this process to make sure that this claim can be used in the future as this article states. Just like this article stated above said, we must use our six principles of scientific thinking when looking at claims to make sure that our claims are true or not, which in this case included Get

Scientific Method

Science is part of everyone's everyday life, and the scientific method is used in a variety of day to day tasks, whether we are consciously aware of it or not. The scientific method is a process by which problems are approached in order to solve that problem by making observations and performing experiments. This paper will look at two problems that could be encountered in daily life, and using the scientific method to solve the problem.

Daily Use of the Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

Science is part of daily life, from the alarm clock that wakes a person up in the morning to the vehicle that is used to transport them throughout their day. Even down to the body a person lives in, there is science that can be applied to a person's...show more content... Mom has heard that there is a flu going around at daycare, and is also aware that her husband took the child out the night before for fast food that the child typically is not allowed to have as a special treat. Mom goes to the internet and looks up symptoms of the flu as well as the effects of a change in diet. She goes to WebMD and looks up symptoms of the flu, and asks her child questions based on what she finds out about the flu. The child says he has muscle aches, is tired has already reported a headache, and the mother checks his temperature, he is running a mildly elevated temperature which has risen a full degree when checked an hour later. The mother could not find any credible information about the change in her son's diet for a single meal to test that theory. Because of the elevated temperature she gives her son a children's fever reducer, which also helps to relieve her child's headache. She puts the child back to bed and checks on him every few hours, his temperature is still elevated but lower than it was initially she estimates by touch, in the morning she confirms by taking the child's temperature again, it is closer to the level it had been the night before causing her to provide another dose of fever reducer and call the doctor's office, the doctor's office confirms that the symptoms are likely the flu, and tell her to keep her son home until he has been

Scientific method is the way scientists learn and study the world around them. It is the process by which scientists work over a period of time to construct an accurate (i.e. reliable, consistent and non–arbitrary) representation of the world. In the study of natural phenomenon, personal and cultural beliefs strongly influence our interpretations and perceptions. Scientific method relies on standard procedures to minimize these influences when developing a theory.

Scientific method consists of four steps:

(1)– Making an observation of a phenomenon.

(2)– Formulating a hypotheses to explain the phenomenon.

(3)– Proving the hypotheses correct by a series of experiments and tests. If the experiments do not bear out the hypotheses,...show more content... Almost 2000 years later Galileo challenged Aristotle's s work on mechanics and cosmology. Galileo did not ridicule Aristotle, but simply showed that he had jumped to the wrong conclusions and derived at inadequate answers because of his physics being not very mathematical. Errors in Aristotle's work were rectified through direct observation and by the availability of new instruments and experimentation techniques in the 17th century. Amongst other contributions, Galileo contradicted Aristotle's view that bodies naturally returned to their natural place. It is believed that Galileo demonstrated by throwing different weights from the Leaning Tower of Pisa that the weight of the bodies was irrelevant to their speed of falling and only the density of the medium counted.

Lavoisier interpreted facts discovered by others and corrected them for errors. He is considered the father of chemistry although he discovered no new chemical substances apart from a few new chemical facts. Lavoiser used to carry out a lot of experiments, quantify their results and take various precautionary measures. He studied Stahl`s theory on combustion and found errors in reasoning. Stahl had given the concept 'phlogiston' for combustion but Lavoiser proved that no such thing existed. Lavoisier repeated Boyle`s experiments which had showed an increase in the weight of cal of tin when