What is science? |
Science is the structured search for explanation of events and the universe around us. This discovery process is commonly called the "scientific method" and is based on a learning process built on observation, hypothesizing, and testing. The process not only has feedback loops to earlier steps, but spirals to and from other research. This interaction with other research and an openness to outside opinion and critical review is key to successful scientific inquiry.
One of the most difficult aspects of scientific inquiry is our cultural and experiential influence on how we perceive reality. This possible bias influences not only what we observe, or not observe, but also affects the testing mechanism we develop to confirm or reject our hypothesis. The personal interaction with the scientific process is easy to discuss, but extremely difficult to recognize without explicit examination of possible personal influence on the process itself. The scientific researcher must recognize that the mere act of measurement may influence the conclusion because the hypothesis being tested cannot be tested in either physical or conceptual isolation.
Science is not just accepting the work of others, but includes a critical examination of prior methodology and conclusions with an attempt to further expand knowledge within the field.
Comments on this white paper are welcome.
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Last modified: May 22, 2007