Scientific Method Data, Facts, Theories and Laws
Science Yields Conclusions Called Scientific Facts, Laws or Theories
May 26, 2009
Ultimately, the scientific method yields results (data) for the researcher. These data are subjected to analysis, usually by statistical means. Statistical analysis enables the scientist to make valid interpretations of the data. The final results then may generate one or more conclusions. If these results and conclusions are valid, a simple scientific fact, or a scientific law or theory, may be established.
Valid Results and Data Are Products of Well-Designed, Controlled Experiments
Well-designed experiments yield valuable data. It is important that the data and results be reproducible. This means that repeated experiments give similar results. Experiments that are not reproducible are problems. A single, successful experiment is never the final word. Reproducibility is very important. If a repeated experiment yields different results, this is meaningful. Typically, lack of reproducibility means that there is an unknown factor or variable that is influencing the experiment. Whenever this occurs scientists re-think and re-design experiments to determine what is happening.
The worst case scenario is for a scientist to report on a series of experiments and have other scientists later determine they are invalid, not reproducible or in error. This may be attributable to a critical control omission or some other unknown variable.
An illustration of a simple error causing problems occurred when one scientist was unable to reproduce another's experiment. Later, it was determined the second investigator's experiment was done at a temperature that differed enough to cause an aberrant result. When the temperature was adjusted and corrected, the results were the same for each scientist.
This is the scientific method in action. Observations lead to hypotheses. Hypotheses lead to experiments. Experiments lead to data and the resulting conclusions are called facts, theories or laws.
It is important to remember that not all hypotheses are valid. Many hypotheses are shown as incorrect by the very experiments designed to validate them. But, good science is honest science and well-designed experiments yield useful results that clarify scientific thinking.
Good Science Is Honest and Logical
With few exceptions, most scientists see, interpret and accept data objectively. Scientists as a group are honest investigators. Sometimes, scientists misinterpret their data. Rarely, some scientists have altered or skewed their data to validate a hypothesis or point. Fortunately, other scientists, who are honest in repeating the same experiments, or doing related experiments, usually detect and report on these errors. Scientists critique, re-evaluate and remain thoughtful skeptics.
Science, therefore, has checks and balances against serious and longstanding errors. That also explains why scientific truth is relative. Old theories fall to new observations, new hypotheses, new experiments and data. Certainly, some scientific data seems immutable, unchanging and absolutely true. The cell as the basic unit of all organisms is consistently true. The principle of gravity, the speed of light, electron flow and many other principles or facts of science are studied, restudied and tested in multiple ways to determine what is true and valid.
In order for people to know what has been discovered both oral and written reports of the scientific findings are made. Scientists typically report new findings by:
- formal scientific talks given at academy or professional meetings, and
- published papers, abstracts and reports on the subject.
Science is a way of understanding by experimentation and that is what makes scientists such inquisitive people.
To learn more about the scientific method see:
Sources
Alters, S and B. Alters. 2006, Biology. John Wiley & Sons Inc., Hoboken, N.J. 755 pp
Glantz, S.A. 1992. Primer of Biostatistics. McGraw-Hill, New York. 440 pp
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