17
The (idealized)
scientific method
•Hypothesis: An
assertion or conjecture that must still be tested.
•Theory: A
system of rules and principles of wide applicability that
have been tested.
•Natural Law: A very
well tested theory
Make observations
Form hypothesis
Make predictions based on hypothesis
Test
predictions with new observations
predictions with new observations
Fails
Beginnings
of a new theory
Succeeds
Forming hypotheses is the creative part of the process
Making predictions and testing them is the key feature of the
“scientific method.”
“scientific method.”
The only useful theory is one which lets you make predictions, so you never really get out of the testing loop.