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== Principles of science ==

== Principles of science ==

The basis of modern science is observation and hypothesis, it involves constructing the best theory to explain an occurrence based on the evidence at the time. The generally accepted scientific procedure is:

The basis of modern science is observation and hypothesis.  It involves constructing the best theory to explain an occurrence based on the evidence at the time. The generally accepted scientific procedure is:

* Observations of an unknown phenomenon are made

* Observations of an unknown phenomenon are made

* A hypothesis is made to explain the observations

* A hypothesis is made to explain the observations

* A experiment or experiments are carried out to test the hypothesis.

* A experiment or experiments are carried out to test the hypothesis.

** If the experiment supports the hypothesis it is considered a theory

** If multiple experiments support the hypothesis it is considered a theory

** If the experiment does not support the hypothesis it is either rewritten or discarded

** If the experiment does not support the hypothesis it is either rewritten or discarded

* If at a later date evidence is produced which contradicts the theory, it is discarded and a new hypothesis is developed

* If at a later date evidence is produced which contradicts the theory, it is modified or discarded and a new hypothesis is developed

One of the fundamental tenets of science is that no theory is absolute; theories are constantly changing in response to the observation of new evidence. Hence, a scientific theory that begins with an immutable conclusion and attempts to "fit the facts" to that argument does not fall within the realm of true scientific research.{fact}

One of the fundamental tenets of science is that no theory is absolute; theories are constantly changing in response to the observation of new evidence. Hence, a scientific theory that begins with an immutable conclusion and attempts to "fit the facts" to that argument does not fall within the realm of true scientific research.<ref>Examples would include the claims that God created the world and that all living things evolved from a common ancestor.</ref>

On the other hand, in the absence of repeatable experiments being able to be done (past events such the very beginning of the universe), scientists believe in following the inference to the best explanation.

On the other hand, in the absence of repeatable experiments being able to be done (past events such the very beginning of the universe), scientists believe in following the inference to the best explanation.