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Today we delve into the details of the Scientific Method that so many of us used from classrooms to scientific laboratories. We examine what the process entails, why we value it, and the greater implications and applications of these steps.
In the news
Salamander Organs Fossilized
A salamander fossil from France is so well preserved that not only is the skin mineralized, but so are many of the internal organs. [Report]
Artificially Aged Proteins
Using heat and pressure, researchers put organic matter through a maturation process to test whether or not proteins like keratin can truly survive fossilization. [Report]
Comb Jellies as Sisters to the Rest of Animalia
In an attempt to determine what group was first to branch off of the animal family tree 27 DNA sections were sequenced and determined comb jellies to be the outliers. [Paper]
Fanged Kangaroos!
A group of kangaroos sporting sharp curved teeth were recently discovered to have survived through the climatic event that was originally believed to have killed them off. [Report]
The Method
The Scientific Method is a set of steps intended to guide the process of scientific research and discovery towards the most correct conclusions possible by attempting to eliminate distractions and personal bias. It achieves this by creating an uniform procedure for asking and answering questions. These specific steps will sometimes vary in their detail, some being simpler while others cover a larger point of view of the scientific process.
If you’d like a more in-depth look at this process and a detailed description of what science really is, check out the rest of Berkeley’s Understanding Science online guide.
Why We Use It
One of the main goals for following this process is to avoid human error as much as possible. One of the greatest human habits to overcome is called confirmation bias, or the habit to only give value to the information that supports what you already believed. This may just sound like a bad habit some people have, but research has shown that our brains are designed to look for information in this way. So by using a semi-strict system to test ideas that can then be used by other to re-test that idea, we are less likely to fall victim to confirmation bias.
This is a highly discussed phenomenon:
New York Times – Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds
Psychology Today – Study Shows a Bias for Evidence of What We Want to Be True
Confirmation Bias: A Ubiquitous Phenomenon in Many Guises
It also helps with science communication. Most scientific papers are written in a format that mirrors the steps of the method; including a description of the observations and question, the research, a statement of the hypothesis, run-through of the test, listing of results, and finally the conclusion. This ideally makes research easy to discuss between scientists, and easier for other researchers to replicate.
Issues with the Method?
Though these steps have proved extremely useful in streamlining scientific progress, some people have pointed out potential problems with the Scientific Method. They worry that it may limit the perspective of those entering scientific fields to think that there is only a single correct way to go through the method of doing science.
This brings up a valid point that these steps are not a recipe for science, but a guide to the process of logical deduction. It is meant to aid us in honest discovery. This process is the natural way by which our brains uncover answers about the world, even infants can be seen using it (sometimes with hilarious results).
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If you enjoyed this topic and want more like it, check out these related episodes:
- Episode 56 – Evolution of Evolutionary Theory
- Episode 49 – Fake Fossils
- Episode 46 – Cryptozoology
- Episode 39 – Speculative Evolution
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