Scientific Method
Science is a consistent body of knowledge strongly tied to experiment, and expressed
in as few laws as possible. Science relies on experimental and observational facts
of nature. We obtain these facts through experiments or observations which are
repeatable by other scientists.
Observations of natural phenomena (collect data)
Hypothesis (ideas to explain observations)
Looking for a unifying principle. Must be verifiable; must be able to deduce and test
consequences from a hypothesis. Method of multiple working hypotheses
Test the hypotheses by experimenting
a. accept
b. reject
c. modify
When a hypothesis is accepted and others are rejected, it becomes a theory. A theory
is a hypothesis with considerable experimental support. Many consequences of a
theory may be verified, but a theory can never be proved, only disproved. Theories
may have limits in certain situations.
Laws are narrower in scope and expressed mathematically