1. The Scientific Method Compiled by : Garrett Schatte

2. Science  A common misperception of science is that science defines "truth". Science does not define truth, but rather it defines a way of thought. It is a process in which experiments are used to answer questions. This process is called the scientific method and involves several steps:

3. Objectives  1.Define science  2.Develop a hypothesis  3.Define theories  4.Differentiate between hypothesis and theory

4. 1. Observe an event. 2. Develop a model (or hypothesis ) which makes a prediction. 3. Test the prediction. 4. Observe the result. 5. Revise the hypothesis. 6. Repeat as needed. 7. A successful hypothesis becomes a Scientific Theory. The Scientific Method model test

5. Food Science  Throwing something together  Hypothesis  Your grandmother’s time-tested recipe  Scientific Theory.

6. Repeatability  A successful theory is repeatable.  By you.  By anyone.  Examples:  Cold Fusion (1989)  Ecstasy (Science, 2003)

7. Requirements  Objective reality  We all see the same world.  Constant Laws of Nature  What happens here, happens there.  What happened yesterday will happen tomorrow.  The Cosmos is knowable.

8. Recap: Theories, Guesses, Laws  What does the word “Theory” mean to you? “A conjecture; guess” (Webster’s Dictionary)  Does it mean the same to a scientist? “A model which has been born out by repeated tests and observation.”  Is a Theory less than a Law? “Evolution is just a theory, it is not a fact.”  Do Theories “grow up” to be Laws? “Einstein’s Theory of Relativity”

9. Theories  So: a theory is a highly successful hypothesis.  All hypotheses make predictions.  All theories make predictions.  All theories can be tested.  Result: Any scientific theory is subject to change as our ability to make tests, or make observations of a test’s results, improves with time.

10. Non-scientific Theories  Make no predictions  Un-testable  Can’t be falsified

11. Non-scientific Theories  Car won’t work?  Aliens drained the battery.  Spaghetti is bland?  You were meant to eat bland food.  Car won’t work?  Gods must be angry.  Spaghetti is bland?  At the instant of tasting, tongue is transported to alternate dimension where all flavors are rendered nullified. Happens instantaneously.