Scientific Method in Practice

Abstract

As the gateway to scientific thinking, an understanding of the scientific method is essential for success and productivity in science. This book is the first synthesis of the practice and the philosophy of the scientific method. It will enable scientists to be better scientists by offering them a deeper understanding of the underpinnings of the scientific method, thereby leading to more productive research and experimentation. It will also give scientists a more accurate perspective on the rationality of the scientific approach and its role in society. Beginning with a discussion of today's 'science wars' and science's presuppositions, the book then explores deductive and inductive logic, probability, statistics, and parsimony, and concludes with an examination of science's powers and limits, and a look at science education. Topics relevant to a variety of disciplines are treated, and clarifying figures, case studies, and chapter summaries enhance the pedagogy. This adeptly executed, comprehensive, yet pragmatic work yields a new synergy suitable for scientists and instructors, and graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

Logical Issues With the Pressure Natriuresis Theory of Chronic Hypertension

“…However, if the critical tenets of the theory cannot be adequately tested, this would raise questions about its usefulness as a scientific theory. 21,22 …”

Connections between Warburg’s and Szentgyorgyi’s Approach about the Causes of Cancer

“…The enhanced metabolic activity is a direct mechanism of the growth of a neoplasm. The process will be soon anaerobic, which according to the Occam-razor [78], could dominate the metabolism by its simplicity compared to the more complicated Krebs-cycle.…”

“…The proton alone does not exist in aqua-solution, it associates with a water molecule and could be transported only by a slow diffusion to the proton pumps. Having quick, effective proton transporter with small energy dissipation is necessary, which is simply the ordered water [78], which could transport the proton with high speed.…”

Do Our Moral Judgments Need to Be Guided by Principles?

“…In this regard, it has been said that "current explanations of the scientific method feature Aristotle's iterative process as the central core." 17 From specific observations, inductive reasoning provides general principles (bottom-up movement), and with those principles serving as premises, deduction attempts to explain observed phenomena (top-down movement). This leads to successive cycles of observations and generalizations, back up again to observations to verify concepts and to obtain more accurate generalizations.…”