L2

• Scientific Method


  1. Observation

  2. Problem

  3. Hypothesis

  4. Hypothesis Testing/Validation

  5. Conclusion
• Scientific Method


  • Methodological approach to the process of inquiry
  • In which empirically grounded theory of nature is constructed and verified
• Empirically Grounded Theory Component Ideas

  
  

  • Nicolaus Copernicus
  • Tycho Brahe
  • Johannes Kepler
  • Galileo Galilei
  • Rene Descartes
  • Isaac Newton
• Nicolaus Copernicus


  A scientific model that could be verified by observation
• Tycho Brahe


  Precise instrumental observations to verify the model
• Johannes Kepler


  Theoretical analysis of experimental data
• Galileo Galilei


  Pioneered quantitative experiments whose results could be generalized in mathematical expression
• Rene Descartes


  Mathematics to quantitatively express theoretical ideas (with Newton)
• Isaac Newton


  Invented differential calculus, synthesis of mechanical theory
• Critical Components of Scientific Methods

  • Observation and experimentation
  • Instrumentation and instrumental techniques
  • Theoretical analysis and model building
  • Theory construction and validation
  • Paradigm development and integration
• Aristotle, regarded as the father of science, was the first to realize the importance of empirical measurement, believing that knowledge could only be gained by building upon what is already known
• Measurement and observation, the foundations upon which science is built, were Aristotle's contribution
• Aristotle proposed the idea of induction as a tool for gaining knowledge, and understood that abstract thought and reasoning must be supported by real world findings
• Alchemy (medieval Europe)


  • An important precursor of science but NOT considered a science
• Fundamental components of the universe (medieval Europe)


  • earth, wind, fire, and water
• Chemistry and Physics (modern Europe)


  • Fundamental components of the universe: energy and mass, atoms and molecules, fields and particles
• We ACCEPT the HYPOTHESIS as VALID IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO INVALIDATE IT
• Science can only achieve "near truths" but NEVER the ABSOLUTE TRUTHS
• Silliman University believes that there is an ABSOLUTE TRUTH
• Jesus: 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'
• Science is empirical in nature. "Empiricism" - knowledge is derived from sense-experience
• Further testing is NOT repeating the experiment per se but TRYING TO determine the "reach" of the solution
• If further testing succeeds in different areas or scenarios, then a generalization can be formed