Essay on Scientific method

To begin our discussion, it is important to mention that the scientific method is an epistemological system to receive and develop new knowledge (Gauch, 2002). Moreover, it is a fact that scientists can use this method in different ways for the purpose to acquire new knowledge because exactly the scientific method is considered to be the best in relation to the search for good and practical additions to human knowledge, and its use has led to the scientific and technological revolution, as it has received the greatest development in the Western world.

Owing to the scientific method, science is a self-renewing and self-adjusting system of knowledge. Moreover, the scientific method helps scientists to replace old theories by new ones which are often more accurate. Explaining this fact, we can mention that the scientific method consists of several specific steps: observation or research, hypothesis, prediction, experimentation and conclusion (Franklin, 2009). The first step allows scientists to ask a question because exactly this step forces scientists to explore the world around them and to find something interesting and unexplored in it. The second step helps scientists to construct a specific hypothesis because it is impossible to begin a research without the presence of a reasonable explanation. The third step is a step of prediction because ability to prediction is the most important part of the hypothesis or theory. These predictions must be falsifiable and specific. The fourth step has more practical character by the reason of possibility to test existing hypothesis in practice by doing an experiment. Moreover, exactly an experiment provides a possibility to compare predictions with empirical data (usually experimental data, often with mathematical calculations). This step is the reason why the hypothesis or theory must be falsifiable because if it is impossible to prove theory’s falsity by experimental results then, in fact, its truth can not be also proved. Information from these predictions can be used to refine the hypothesis. And finally, the fifth step allows scientists to analyze the data and to draw a conclusion on their base. Thus, scientists should make sure that the result reflects true reality by comparing it with other results.

In conclusion, it is important to add that the practical result in acquiring new knowledge can be achieved due to the fact that the core of the scientific method includes the idea that the true value of the hypothesis, theory, or concept is defined by its ability to perform refutable predictions that could be tested by comparison with empirical reality.