S1, Ep 7: HEADLINE: Scientific Method is NOT Foolproof

Caroline Christian, Ph.D.

The scientific method is a process by which most scientists will do laboratory research. Notice I said most scientists! As mentioned in the past blog post, " Why lab work is important in chemistry", chemistry is an ever-changing science, so sometimes the scientific method is not very helpful at all. But in spite of that it is still taught as the end all scientific process methodology! What is the scientific method you keep talking about? Below you will see a flowchart of the scientific method.

If experiments continually support a hypothesis, it may become a theory. One of the things I hate to hear the most about science is, It is just a theory - that means it can be proven wrong! Well technically yes, but a theory has to pass a lot of stringent requirements first. For example: A theory must predict results of future experiments and a theory must explain future observations. One of the most important things you need to learn to do as a scientist is to communicate your ideas to others. I was certainly not an English major when I was in college, but it is something I wish I would have learned and taken more seriously! So if you like to write and express your thoughts, consider becoming a scientist because believe me, we need more people like you in our ranks.

02/23/2018