Science is a systematic and logical approach to discovering how things in the universe work. But how do we “do” science? The words “systematic” and “logical” are a bit vague and can be interpreted as different things by different scientists. So, what is the actual “scientific method” and why is it important?
The steps of the scientific method go something like this:
- Make an observation or observations.
- Ask questions about the observations and gather information.
- Form a hypothesis – a tentative description of what’s been observed, and make predictions based on that hypothesis.
- Test the hypothesis and predictions in an experiment that can be reproduced.
- Analyse the data and draw conclusions; accept or reject the hypothesis or modify the hypothesis if necessary.
- Reproduce the experiment until there are no discrepancies between observations and theory.
As we can see, in the above steps, there is no ambiguity. Consider an example. Suppose a gardener wants to figure out what really works for tomato crops. He has so many parameters to test. Soil, weather, weeds, irrigation, fertilisers and so on. How will he ever know which combination of these will yield the best tomato crops?
Simple. The gardener has to be follow the scientific method. Divide the crops in separate categories which have different parameters and which can test a particular combination of the inputs. Observe the results. Make a note of it. Propose the best input combination based on the result. Repeat the experiment multiple times and if after multiple repetitions, one particular combination of input elements stands out, then the gardener can say with reasonable confidence what works well for tomato crops. This is scientific method in a nutshell.
Science is truth. Truth is science. Science is bigger than any one person. The scientific method is designed so that we are very objective in evaluation of any hypothesis and not get carried away in emotions. Logical postulations, secular assumptions, vain imaginations all lead to a sort of pseudoscience; theories that cannot ever be tested but are accepted as facts anyway. Astrology is a prime example for this.
Evidence is the most important thing in whole scientific method. Without evidence, nothing should be believed. While measuring any theory, we have to be purely objective and avoid cognitive biases. For a theory to be scientific, it has to be falsifiable as well. Also, science can never succeed without having an extremely open mind. Always be prepared for alternative to be true.
Of course, many scientific theories regarding things like Cosmology, planet formation, biological evolution and other age dependent theories are not hard science since there is little to no hypothesis testing. We can’t really go back in time to see how planets were formed. Neither can we go back to feed Dinosaurs to see their digestive tracts and make comments over it. So, in those cases we go with best possible theory which supports all the known facts. Theories like Big Bang, evolution, expansion of the universe are good examples. They seem to explain most of the facts known to mankind, which is why we should have very little objection in considering them scientific theories. We may never know for sure if they are indeed true or not, but that’s the best we got.
Scientific method is more crucial in disproving hoaxes too. If not for scientific methods, someone could easily say that earth was made by God in 13 days and aliens exist right among us. Hitchen’s razor says (roughly) that “He who makes a FALSIFIABLE claim should provide evidence to prove it or be presumed false.” So if I say “There are purple dinosaurs living in my basement” – then you won’t believe me until I show them to you…which is an entirely reasonable demand. The existence of God is a good example.It is a bit trickier though. If I say “God does not exist” – and you say “Provide me evidence of the lack of God!”- then I am unable to do so because you can’t prove a negative. That does not give you the right to claim that God exists. So, if only something is falsifiable, we have to prove the opposite. Otherwise the claim falsifies itself. Therefore, none has to prove that God doesn’t exist in order to claim it.
Scientific method is the only way to live a life as well. We often have a weak spot for things we care about. This becomes dangerous if we lose perspective. For example, suppose you are trying to figure out which of your friends care about you the most. It is so easy to get carried away and only recall the best and the worst things they have done to you and ignore the rest. Also, recency and other cognitive biases comes into play. The best way to do this is to go scientific. Make a table. Give them points based on the duration you have known them and score them based on their contribution to your life. [I know that probably this is not the best example I can give for scientific method. But I hope readers get my point.] There can be no objective system without measurement.
Arthur C. Clarke said, “Science is the only religion of mankind.” It remains one of my favourite quotes of all time. Science provides us with a logical, factual and generally rational explanation of the World around us. Science helps us understand our world. From understanding gravity to the spherical shape of the Earth to climate change, science helps us understand, and interact with the world around us. Science has helped form the world that we live in today. I urge everyone to follow scientific methods in real life no matter what field of work they are in. It will liberate you.
To Infinity and Beyond... 