The Scientific Method

The scientific method is the process by which new scientific knowledge is gained and verified. The study of this method, and of its long history, is essentially a study of science itself. Many criticisms of science, scientists, or scientific knowledge stem from a misunderstanding, or ignorance of this method. It is the purpose of this book to expose both the history of the method, along with its modern use, its strengths, and its weaknesses.

Table of Contents

 * /Introduction/

Philosophy of Science

 * /Introduction to Science/
 * /Components of the Method/
 * /History of Scientific Thought/
 * /Empiricism and Inductivism/
 * /Rene Descartes' Method/
 * /Hypothetico-Deductivism/
 * /Critical Rationalism/
 * /Criticisms/

How to design and conduct an effective scientific experiment

 * /Determining What to Measure/
 * /Independent and Dependent Variables/
 * /Control of Experimental Conditions/
 * /Control of Measurement Errors/
 * /Tests for Experimental Validity/
 * /Data Analysis/

A sampling of historical experiments

 * /Historical Experiments in Biology/
 * /Historical Experiments in Chemistry/
 * /Historical Experiments in Physics/
 * /Historical Experiments in Psychology/

Appendices

 * /Timeline/
 * /Resources/