The Scientific process
How people think it works…
So, what is a scientific theory?
The word "theory" means something very different in
everyday language than it does in science: to the average
person, a theory is just an idea…
A scientific theory is an explanation of something that has
been demonstrated through repeated experiments or testing.
A scientific theory also makes predictions that can be tested.
How are scientific theories developed?
How science works
EXPLORATION
AND DISCOVERY
Making
observations
New technology
Asking
questions
Personal motivation
Practical problem
Serendipity
Curiosity
Surprising observation
Sharing data
and ideas
Finding
inspiration
Exploring the
literature
Gathering data
Expected
results/observations
Hypotheses
Actual
results/observations
Interpreting data
Supportive, contradictory, surprising
or inconclusive data may ...
Develop
technology
Address
societal issues
... inspire
revised
assumptions.
...support a
hypothesis.
... oppose a
hypothesis.
Build
knowledge
Satisfy
curiosity
...inspire
revised/new
hypothesis.
Inform
policy
Solve everyday
problems
BENEFITS AND
OUTCOMES
TESTING
IDEAS
Feedback and
peer review
Replication
Discussion with
colleagues
Publication
Coming up
with new
questions/ideas
Theory
building
COMMUNITY
ANALYSIS AND
FEEDBACK
www.understandingscience.org
© 2008 The University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley, and the Regents of the University of California
Example of a theory that has been tested:
A new theory was postulated in the early 1900s to explain
geologic evidence:“Plate Tectonics”
•Earth’s surface is divided into many plates that move
slowly over the surface and interact with each other
•Their movements are driven from below - internal heat
and convection in the Earth
•This was a REVOLUTIONARY idea when proposed
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.” Marcello Truzzi
The Scientific Method as school & science fairs often
present it
What do you see missing here?
Science Process in astronomy
• In astronomy, we can’t easily “conduct experiments” - we
need to patiently wait for nature to carry out experiments
that we can observe
• We start with process for distributing telescope time at Kitt
Peak (or, what is Colette doing today, Oct 25-26?)
Take-away message:
Scientists deal with natural events which can be observed, measured, and tested by
scientific methods.
Scientific study is based upon the assumption that the universe is orderly,
reasonable, and testable.
A valid scientific theory offers a well-defined naturally occurring cause
(mechanism) which explains why or how a natural event (phenomenon)
occurs.
Scientific theories are always subject to change.
The processes of science are very successful in dealing with problems within the
limits of science.
Homework: the scientific process. Read article about asteroids and dinosaurs and
Index:
Things we might test:
Is the moon really larger when its on the horizon?
Is it true that you can only balance an egg on its end
on the equinoxes?
Is the moon larger when it rises than a few hours
later?
I took this picture a few minutes after moon rise, Nov. 16 , a
few years ago
I took the second picture at 10:30 PM,
with same setup
Which is larger?
Measure and find out!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Common Elements of Pseudoscience
Dr. Douglas Duncan
University of Colorado
Not all characteristics are always present, but many often are. If you see them, watch out! Without proper
scientific skepticism you may well get fooled, sometimes jeopardizing you money or your health.
Remember, “Science is a Way of Trying not to Fool Yourself!” – Nobel Prize winner and wonderful
character Richard Feynman.
How to tell if something is Pseudoscience. Beware if it…
Is based on Post-diction, not Pre-diction (story is made up after the fact)
Explains things people care about that may not have other explanations (avoids the scientific response, “We
don’t know,” which people often find unsatisfactory)
Uses scientific-sounding language and jargon (often incorrectly; e.g. “energy flows”)
Does NOT use the scientific method of clearly stating the hypothesis and then making a test
Usually has an explanation even when the idea fails (e.g. “astrology is only a tendency,” “the faith-healing
treatment must have been started too late,” etc.)
If it contradicts known scientific principles or is not generally accepted, the originator of the theory claims to
be “persecuted by the scientific (or other) establishment,” is not recognized because “the jealous
establishment,” etc.
How Science is actually conducted
• A scientist, often a team, describe how they test a new
phenomenon, which may come from an idea, or may spring
out of other work…
• Results published in a peer reviewed journal
• Many other scientists try to replicate the first study: if they
can, the hypothesis gains credibility in the field
• Peer review, refereed journals: papers submitted are sent to
anonymous referees, experts in that area, for comments. Etc.
Article not published until referee is satisfied