Scientific Method in Brief

Description

The fundamental principles of the scientific method are essential for enhancing perspective, increasing productivity, and stimulating innovation. These principles include deductive and inductive logic, probability, parsimony and hypothesis testing, as well as science's presuppositions, limitations, ethics and bold claims of rationality and truth. The examples and case studies drawn upon in this book span the physical, biological and social sciences; include applications in agriculture, engineering and medicine; and also explore science's interrelationships with disciplines in the humanities such as philosophy and law. Informed by position papers on science from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Academy of Sciences and National Science Foundation, this book aligns with a distinctively mainstream vision of science. It is an ideal resource for anyone undertaking a systematic study of scientific method for the first time, from undergraduates to professionals in both the sciences and the humanities. Cover Scientific Method in Brief Copyright Dedication Contents Foreword Preface 1 Introduction The gateway into science A controversial idea The AAAS position on method Science as a liberal art Benefits and challenges Personal experience Seven streams Historical and future outlook Summary Study questions 2 Four bold claims Rationality Truth Objectivity Realism Science and common sense Summary Study questions 3 A brief history of truth The most elemental question Aristotle Augustine Medieval scholars Modern scholars Water Summary Study questions 4 Science's contested rationality Science's auditors Elusive truth Theory-laden data Incommensurable paradigms Empty consensus Reactions from scientists The AAAS posture Clear targets Summary Study questions 5 Science's presuppositions Historical perspective on presuppositions The PEL model of full disclosure Implementation of presuppositions Science's worldview forum Justification of knowledge claims Review of functions Summary Study questions 6 Science's powers and limits Rather obvious limitations The sciences and worldviews Empirical method in the humanities Individual experience and worldviews Logical roles and diagnoses Review of boundaries Personal rewards from science Summary Study questions 7 Deductive logic Deduction and induction Historical perspective on deduction Propositional logic Predicate logic Arithmetic Common fallacies Summary Study questions 8 Probability Probability concepts Four requirements Probability axioms Bayes's theorem Probability distributions Permutations and combinations Probability fallacies Summary Study questions 9 Inductive logic and statistics Historical perspective on induction Bayesian inference Frequentist inference Bayesian decision Induction lost and regained Summary Study questions 10 Parsimony and efficiency Historical perspective on parsimony Preview of basic principles Curve fitting Crop yields Crime rates Explanation of accuracy gain Philosophical reflection Summary Study questions 11 Case studies Philosophy Electronic engineering Biochemistry and pharmacology Medicine Sociology Economics Law Discussion Study questions 12 Ethics and responsibilities Philosophical ethics Professional ethics Discussion Study questions 13 Science education Typical NOS concepts Better comprehension Greater adaptability Greater interest More realism Better researchers Better teachers Academic NOS concepts Summary Study questions 14 Conclusions Motion and rationality Summary of scientific method Exit questions References Index