The Scientific Approach

Without understanding how to approach the scientific method, we would be far from reaching the progress that we’ve made thus far in the sciences. The scientific method is empirical, replicable, and tentative. Empirical means that it’s based on observations and measurements of reality. Replicable means that the findings must be observed, repeated, and verified by others. Tentative means that it’s based on observable, measurable events, which increases the chances that errors in methodology are caught. The scientific approach is based on asking solvable problems. Theories and hypotheses must be testable and there must be some possible, verifiable way that we can be wrong, and that is called the principle of falsifiability.

There are 5 tenets of the scientific approach. The first one is to observe events, like world events, personal experiences, past research, etc. The second is to develop a theory. A scientific theory is a collection of ideas that describe or predict a phenomenon. Good theories are testable, parsimonious, and fruitful. Parsimony refers to the simplest or most possible explanation and a fruitful theory means it raises many new questions and ideas. The third step is to develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a prediction or statement about the relation between two variables. A variable is a characteristic that may take on different values. The independent variable is the manipulated variable that causes changes in the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the measured outcome that depends on the independent variable. Confounding variables may skew the result because its effects cannot be separated from the independent variable. The fourth step is to conduct empirical research. This is when researchers design the study, collect data, analyze the results, and draw conclusions. The final step is to communicate your findings, usually by publishing the research in a reputable scientific journal.

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