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Debunking “ THE ” scientific method

Debunking “ THE ” scientific method. SED 577 – Ron Gray. “ THE ” Scientific Method. A bit of history. First became prescriptive after Dewey (1910) summarized his analysis of reflective thinking into a five-step process. His ideas were decontextualized and integrated into school science.

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Debunking “ THE ” scientific method

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  1. Debunking “THE” scientific method SED 577 – Ron Gray

  2. “THE” Scientific Method

  3. A bit of history • First became prescriptive after Dewey (1910) summarized his analysis of reflective thinking into a five-step process. • His ideas were decontextualized and integrated into school science. • It made “doing science” easy: follow the steps to certain knowledge. • Reinforced by scientific papers.

  4. How should they relate? Authentic scientific practice Classroom practice

  5. Problems? • The simplified, linear scientific method implies that scientific studies follow an unvarying, linear recipe. But in reality, in their work, scientists engage in many different activities in many different sequences. Scientific investigations often involve repeating the same steps many times to account for new information and ideas. • The simplified, linear scientific method implies that science is done by individual scientists working through these steps in isolation. But in reality, science depends on interactions within the scientific community. Different parts of the process of science may be carried out by different people at different times. • The simplified, linear scientific method implies that science has little room for creativity. But in reality, the process of science is exciting, dynamic, and unpredictable. Science relies on creative people thinking outside the box! • The simplified, linear scientific method implies that science concludes. But in reality, scientific conclusions are always revisable if warranted by the evidence. Scientific investigations are often ongoing, raising new questions even as old ones are answered.

  6. But most importantly… Science doesn‘t actually work that way!!! (although publications do!)

  7. Some examples… • Watson & Crick – DNA (modeling) • Mendel – inheritance (sel. data) • Thomas Hunt Morgan – sex-linkage (discrepancy) • Darwin – evolution (pattern recognition) • The Grants – finch evolution (patterns from large data sets) • Wegener – continental drift (pattern recognition) • Jenner – smallpox vaccine (HDM) • Von Humboldt – biogeo of ecosystems (exploration) • Roentgen – x-rays (serendipity) • Einstein – relativity (thought experiment) • Torricelli – barometer (discrepancy) • Leeuwenhoek – microscope (instrumentation) • Jansky – radio astronomy (instrumentation) • Mendeleev – periodicity (pattern recognition) • Kekule – benzene structure (dream/vision) • Adams, LeVerrier, and Galle – Neptune (discrepancy)

  8. Take home message There is no universal scientific method (this is unfortunate for us)

  9. So what is scientific? • Focuses on the natural world • Aims to explain the natural world • Uses testable ideas • Relies on evidence • Involves the scientific community • Leads to ongoing research • Benefits from scientific behavior

  10. Two conversations World to be studied Individual scientists Research community Discovery Credibility Grinnell, F. (2009). Everyday Practice of Science

  11. A new way of looking at this…

  12. A new way of looking at this… There are many routes into the process

  13. A new way of looking at this… Scientific testing is at the heart of the process (discovery)

  14. A new way of looking at this… The scientific community helps ensure science’s accuracy (credibility)

  15. A new way of looking at this… The process of science is intertwined with society

  16. A new way of looking at this… • The process of science is: • Iterative • Not pre-determined

  17. An example… Asteroids and dinosaurs

  18. Asteroids and Dinosaurs Traditional Scientific Method

  19. Asteroids and Dinosaurs Reduced # of marine fossils at KT boundary Q: Was the KT transition gradual or sudden? Discussed with father, Luis Alvarez Test for beryllium-10 as a timer Use of iridium as a timer

  20. Asteroids and Dinosaurs New Q: what caused the iridium levels? Testing the supernova hypothesis Testing the asteroid hypothesis Publication and feedback Community explores multiple lines of evidence Hypothesis supported by evidence, but more Qs

  21. How does this change how we look at inquiry?

  22. New NRC Framework • Asking questions • Developing and using models • Planning and carrying out investigations • Analyzing and interpreting data • Using mathematics and computational thinking • Constructing explanations • Engaging in argument from evidence • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

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