The problem with the “scientific method”

A common misconception in science is that science provides facts or “truth” about a subject. Science is not collection of facts; rather, it is a process of investigation into the natural world and the knowledge generated through that process. This process of investigation is often referred to as the scientific method and it is typically defined in many textbooks and science courses as a linear set of steps through which a scientist moves from observation through experimentation and to a conclusion as shown below:

However, this classic portrayal has a number of problems. Science is not a linear process – it doesn’t have to start with an observation or a question, and it commonly does not even involve experiments. Instead, the scientific method is a much more dynamic and robust process. Scientists get their inspiration from the natural world, from reading what others have done, from talking to colleagues, or from experience. They use multiple types of research toward investigating phenomena, including experimentation, description, comparison, and modeling. Some scientific investigations employ one of these methods, but many involve multiple methods, or some studies may even have characteristics of more than one method. Results from one research study may lead in directions not originally anticipated, or even in multiple directions as different scientists pursue areas of interest to them.

Practice of science: Methodologies

Given the detail needed to understand this practice, a single paragraph or even chapter will not do. Thus, we have developed a series of 11 modules that convey the practice of science and present the different methodologies used in scientific research. These 11 modules are part of a larger series of modules called our Process of Science modules, and these modules provide a detailed answer to the question “What is science and how does it work?” If you would like to learn more about individual scientific methodologies, please visit our Practice of Science modules:

(Click on Each of the links below for additional material)

1. Research Methods: The Practice of Science
2. Research Methods: Experimentation
3. Research Methods: Description
4. Research Methods: Modeling
5. Research Methods: Comparison
6. Data: Analysis and Interpretation
7. Data: Statistics
8. Data: Using Graphs and Visual Data
9. Data: Uncertainty, Error, and Confidence
10. Scientific Communication: Understanding Scientific Journals and Articles
11. Scientific Communication: Peer Review

Summary

Scientific investigation is not always a linear process that starts with a hypothesis and ends with a conclusion, as portrayed in the classic “Scientific Method.” The true scientific method is a much more dynamic and much less predictable, and can involve various methods that may overlap. This module serves as an introduction to our Practice of Science series of modules, which describe key scientific methodologies.

Key Concepts

• The scientific method is a process of discovery that does not follow a prescribed, linear pattern of steps.