Scientific Criteria and

Methods
Topic 5: What is the criteria for being scientific? What are the feature of a theory or doctorine to be
called that it is scientific?
What is the scientific method? What is the correct method to ensure the success of
scientists in scientific activity?

DUYGU KÖKSAL
2017900435
FBE6668-PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND ETHICS
 Criteria for Science (1 of 2)
Science must differentiate itself from nonscience or pseudoscience; this is particularly
true of natural sciences and relies on five criteria:
– Intersubjective testing: Two people observing the
same entity the same way should obtain the same
results
– Reliability: The same result is achieved time and again under the same conditions
 Criteria for Science (2 of 2)
– Definiteness and precision: Creating identical circumstances for repeat experiments leads to the
same results.
– Coherence: A focus on the connectedness of the parts of an experiment and their relation to one
another.
– Comprehensiveness and scope: The ability of an outcome to be used for something other than
its intended purpose.
 Essential steps to the Scientific Method (1
of 7)
Definition: a logical
approach to solving
problems.
 Essential steps to the Scientific Method (2
of 7)
1. Ask a question/State the problem: Science is only
concerned with objects or events that are observable, either
directly or indirectly. An example of indirect observation is
the study of atoms which are not readily observed, but their
effects are observed using instruments.
2. Gather information: Research before beginning an
investigation to avoid repeating an experiment.
 Essential steps to the Scientific Method (3
of 7)
3. Form a hypothesis: Hypothesis: a
testable statement, where you predict
the answer to your question.
The hypothesis will state what you think
MIGHT be the answer to the problem or
question you are investigating. Keys:
A good hypothesis is testable.
A good hypothesis is NOT based on
opinion or feelings.
 Essential steps to the Scientific Method (4
of 7)
Examples of Hypotheses:
Students will perform better on a test if they do not sleep for 24 hours before the test.
Is this a good or bad hypothesis? (Can it be disproven or proven?)
It is a GOOD hypothesis because it can be tested.
There is gold at the center of the planet Jupiter.
Is this a good or bad hypothesis? (Can it be disproven or proven?)
It is a BAD hypothesis because it cannot be tested.
If you mix ice cream with cips, the result will taste good.
Is this a good or bad hypothesis? (Can it be disproven or proven?)
It is a BAD hypothesis because it is based on opinion, which depends on personal taste.
 Essential steps to the Scientific Method (5
of 7)
4. Test the Hypothesis: After you have
developed a good hypothesis, you need to
test it.
A researcher must design experiments that
will support or disprove a hypothesis.
The experiments should be repeatable by
others.
5. Analyze data: Many important discoveries
have been made from unexpected results.
If the data is not organized in a logical manner,
incorrect conclusions can be drawn.
 Essential steps to the Scientific Method (6
of 7)
6. Draw a Conclusion: After testing, the data
you gather needs to be studied.
Does the hypothesis seem to be correct? Or,
does the data seem to indicate that the
hypothesis is incorrect?
 Revise the hypothesis if it seems incorrect.

 Retest the hypothesis [using different

experiments] if it seems to be correct.
 Essential steps to the Scientific Method (7
of 7)
Can the scientific method answer ALL questions?
NO! It deals only with the natural world.
It can not answer questions about religion OR morals (right and wrong).
Conclusion
http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/inventions/teachers.cfm
http://www.catchpenny.org/good.html
https://www.romaisd.com/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=6549&dataid=2897
&FileName=Scientific%20Method-Day%202.ppt
www.slideshare.net/mobile/Sisyphosstone/81-criteria-ofscientificresearch
www.slideshare.net/mobile/stanbridge/chapter-1-philosophy-of-science