![]() ![]() He created a theory explaining that dreams actually represent unconscious wishes. In contrast, Sigmund Freud provides an example of a bad theory. This is a good theory because it allows for many specific testable hypotheses and thus generated thousands of research papers and was responsible for a better understanding of childhood development. For example Jean Piaget created a theory about childhood development occurring in stages from birth to adolescence. A “good theory” is not defined by its likelihood to be correct but rather by its ability to generate many hypotheses. The idea that a good theory is one that can be easily proven right is another common misunderstanding. Good Theories are ones in which they are likely to be proven right Scientific papers are not meant to be grand conclusions, but rather discussions of thought, process, and limitations (Misconceptions, n.d.). Research, even without strong conclusions, leads to new ideas and conversations. In fact, most studies don’t come to a clear conclusion, and that is okay. ![]() Even if a scientific inquiry does not come to a clear conclusion it is still publishable and includes useful information. Some people think that if scientific studies don’t reach a strong conclusion they become unpublishable or unhelpful. Creativity is necessary for coming up with new ideas, ways to test ideas, and making connections (Misconceptions, n.d.). Many scientists say creativity is an important aspect of the scientific process. While a huge aspect of science is analytical, science also requires creativity. This chart from UC Berkeley Understanding Science shows the complexity of the scientific process (Understanding Science, 2012).Īnother misconception about the scientific method is that the scientific process is purely analytical. Another important aspect of the scientific process that helps with reliability is replication, good research should be able to be replicated and generate the same results (Gazzaniga, 2011).įigure 1. Scientists share their results with the scientific community and it allows for conversation and dialog (Understanding Science, 2012). The scientific community plays a huge role in “checking” science. Some people may ask, “If science is so messy, how can it be trusted?” This is a good question. Ideas generate new ideas and lead to new hypotheses, and deeper understanding. ![]() #What is the scientific method freeInstead of being a linear process, the scientific method is a complex cycle that involves many people and does not follow set steps, but is more free form in nature. Scientists are always making new observations that inspire new questions or results are unexpected and a new test is conducted. While there is a general process that is followed, scientists are not bound by this structure. Many people think of the scientific method as a linear process, performed step by step. The most common misconception related to understanding the scientific method is over simplification. The basic building blocks of the scientific method are: a theory, an explanation or model that explains a phenomenon, a theory provides explanations for previous observations as well as makes predictions a hypothesis or a testable prediction and research, how the scientist tests this hypothesis (Gazzaniga, 2011). In a nutshell the scientific method explains and guides how scientists do their work and research. ![]() The scientific method is the way in which scientists answer questions about how things work. (Keyes 2010) This paper will explore and address common misconceptions regarding the scientific method.Īlthough the biggest misconception about the scientific method is oversimplification, this section gives a basic overview of the scientific method in order to understand the rest of the paper. It has been beaten into their brains by teachers and textbook in one form or another since elementary school, but as she questions them more she realizes that in reality her students actually have a very shallow understanding and have many misconceptions about the scientific method. She explains that her students are confident in their understanding of the scientific method. She always starts the semester with a discussion of the scientific method. Mary’s University in San Antonio TX, describes her class at the beginning of the year. In her paper “Teaching the Scientific Method in the Social Sciences” Grace Keyes of St. ![]()
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