The Scientific Method

Question 1

deduction

Answer 1

Uses logic to link premises with conclusions

If the premises are true, and the logic is performed properly, then the
conclusion is necessarily true

Tease out the implications of the information available to us

Question 2

induction

Answer 2

Uses observation or experience to make conclusions that go beyond the information contained in the premises

conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises

extends our knowledge into new areas

The level of confidence in a conclusion depends on the amount of evidence collected that supports the conclusion

Question 3

steps of the scientific method

Answer 3

Question: Gather observations and develop a question

Hypothesis: Make a hypothesis

Prediction: Make a prediction to test the hypothesis

Experiment: Perform a test and compare the outcome to the prediction

Analysis: If the hypothesis fails, discard and repeat with a new hypothesis.
If the hypothesis passes, test and test again with new predictions

Question 4

what does a ‘theory’ mean

Answer 4

A scientific theory is an explanation or model for the underlying cause
of some physical phenomenon

never absolutely certain

can be disproved by a single piece of contradicting evidence

Question 5

impossibility of proof and certainty

Answer 5

in science, it is impossible to say anything with absolute certainty

Scientific knowledge is a body of statements and ideas of varying
degrees of certainty or confidence

Some ideas have been disproved, some are unsure, some are very sure
and have reached a consensus, but none are absolutely certain

Doubt is central to science

Question 6

metalaws

Answer 6

Universality – physical laws should be valid universally

Symmetry – physical laws should be the same in every place and direction

Time-causality – connected events follow the line of time of the Universe

Uniqueness – scientific theories should predict specific outcomes

Simplicity – Occam’s Razor

Question 7

universality

Answer 7

Physical laws should be valid universally

A law that applies on Earth must apply in the rest of the universe as well

Question 8

symmetry

Answer 8

Physical laws should be the same in every place and direction

There is no special or preferred direction or location in the universe

Question 9

time-causality

Answer 9

Connected events follow the line of time of the universe

Cause happens before effect

Question 10

uniqueness

Answer 10

Scientific hypotheses and theories should predict specific outcomes

In other words, they must be falsifiable

Question 11

simplicity

Answer 11

When faced with two equally valid explanations for the same event, the simplest one is most likely to be true

Compliments falsifiability as simpler theories are more falsifiable than complex ones