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[[File:ScientificMethodflowchart.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Flow chart illustrating the steps to the Scientific Method]]

[[File:ScientificMethodflowchart.jpg|450px|right|thumb|Flow chart illustrating the steps to the Scientific Method]]

The '''scientific method''' is the ideal process by which [[scientist]]s say [[scientific research]] should be conducted. <ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With General Science.</ref>  It is a standardized process which involves asking questions, searching for answers, guessing a possible answers called a [[hypothesis]], and then evaluating that hypothesis by [[experiment]]s in a specific, rigid fashion. Most articles in scientific journals are formatted according to its steps.

The '''scientific method''' is the ideal process by which [[scientist]]s say [[scientific research]] should be conducted.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With General Science.</ref>  It is a standardized process which involves asking questions, searching for answers, guessing a possible answer called a [[hypothesis]], and then evaluating that hypothesis by [[experiment]]s in a specific, rigid fashion. Most articles in scientific journals are formatted according to its steps.

[[Science]] is an active process where systematic descriptions of reality continue to accumulate as scientists ask questions and use improved experiments and analysis to answer those questions. The goal of the scientific method is to test the validity of a [[hypothesis]] - a proposed description of reality. It is not a set of directions for making original discoveries and it does not set out the means that scientists must use in order for their research to succeed. The whole point is to compare the hypothesis with the [[fact]]s.

[[Science]] is an active process where systematic descriptions of reality continue to accumulate as scientists ask questions and use improved experiments and analysis to answer those questions. The goal of the scientific method is to test the validity of a [[hypothesis]] - a proposed description of reality. It is not a set of directions for making original discoveries and it does not set out the means that scientists must use in order for their research to succeed. The whole point is to compare the hypothesis with the [[fact]]s.

[[Hans Storch]] wrote:

Hans Storch wrote:

:Data must be accessible to adversaries; joint efforts are needed to agree on test procedures to validate, once again, already broadly accepted insights.<ref>[http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/12/23/von-storch-op-ed-in-the-wsj-climategate-reveals-a-concerted-effort-to-emphasize-scientific-results-useful-to-a-political-agenda/ Hans Storch op-ed in WSJ]</ref>

:Data must be accessible to adversaries; joint efforts are needed to agree on test procedures to validate, once again, already broadly accepted insights.<ref>[http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/12/23/von-storch-op-ed-in-the-wsj-climategate-reveals-a-concerted-effort-to-emphasize-scientific-results-useful-to-a-political-agenda/ Hans Storch op-ed in WSJ]</ref>

==Steps of the Scientific Method==

==Steps of the Scientific Method==

Although by no means conclusive, the following steps are used by a majority of scientists in their work::<ref> [http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/PHY_LABS/AppendixE/AppendixE.html] </ref>

Although by no means conclusive, the following steps are used by a majority of scientists in their work:<ref>[http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/PHY_LABS/AppendixE/AppendixE.html]</ref>

#Observation of phenomena

#Observation of phenomena

#Formulation of an hypothesis

#Formulation of an hypothesis

Scientists may be influenced by their world-views to look for certain results that fit a preconception. The test of objectivity and rigor imposed on their work by the need for other scientists to replicate it tends to make the truth-seeking facility of the scientific method prevail in the long run,<ref>Wolfs, Frank L. H.?, [http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html Introduction to the Scientific Method]</ref> although this is difficult where the world-view is widespread.

Scientists may be influenced by their world-views to look for certain results that fit a preconception. The test of objectivity and rigor imposed on their work by the need for other scientists to replicate it tends to make the truth-seeking facility of the scientific method prevail in the long run,<ref>Wolfs, Frank L. H.?, [http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html Introduction to the Scientific Method]</ref> although this is difficult where the world-view is widespread.

==Links==

==Links==

*[http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/sci_meth.htm The Scientific Method, from Clermont College]

*[http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/sci_meth.htm The Scientific Method, from Clermont College]

*[http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html Introduction to the Scientific Method]

*[http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html Introduction to the Scientific Method]

*[http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/project_scientific_method.shtml Science Buddies.org]

*[http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/project_scientific_method.shtml Science Buddies.org]

*[http://www.biology4kids.com/files/studies_scimethod.html Biology for Kids]

*[http://www.biology4kids.com/files/studies_scimethod.html Biology for Kids]

*[http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/plantgrowth/reference/Scientific_Method.html Example of the Scientific Method used, from NASA]

*[https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/plantgrowth/reference/Scientific_Method.html Example of the Scientific Method used, from NASA]

*[http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/sci_meth.htm]

*[http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/sci_meth.htm]

==References==

==References==

*Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon, et al. ''Biology: Concepts and Connections'' 5th edition; Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ (2005)

*Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon, et al. ''Biology: Concepts and Connections'' 5th edition; Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ (2005)

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[[category:science]]

[[Category:Science]]

[[Category:Methodology of Science]]