The answer is that, while science can be done (and often is) following different kinds of protocols, the description of the scientific method includes some very important features that should lead to understanding some very basic aspects of all scientific practice. Some of these would be:
- The importance of posing an accessible problem, and formulating testable predictions;
- The necessity of testability of hypotheses;
- The need for clear critical thinking in assessing the evidence collected, from whatever method;
- The tentative nature of all scientific conclusions;
- The circular path of scientific investigation; and
- Some very important practical aspects of scientific investigation.
With these purposes in mind, let's take a look at this hairy old icon of scientific process. Just what
is the scientific method?
The Scientific Method
The scientific method is generally described as a series of steps. Though we speak of
a scientific method, you will find that different sources list slightly different steps, though they all turn out to mean precisely the same thing. In your text, the list is:
- Observations
- Questioning
- Hypothesis
- Testing
- Explanation
