8 SCIENCE 



has presented an interesting discussion of scientific method in Modern 

 Science and Modern Man. Here he gives his own description, as follows: 



Scientists collect their facts by carefully observing what is happen- 

 ing. They group them and try to interpret them in the light of other 

 facts that are already known. Then a scientist sets up a theory or pic- 

 ture that will explain the newly discovered facts, and finally he tests 

 out his theory by getting more data of a similar kind and comparing 

 them with the facts he got through earlier experiments. When his 

 theory does not quite fit the facts, he must modify it and at the same 

 time verify the facts by getting more data.^ 



In addition, he has included a "scientific method" which he obtained 

 from a biologist: 



Recognize that an indeterminate situation exists. This is a con- 

 flicting or obscure situation demanding inquiry. Two, state the prob- 

 lem in specific terms. Three, formulate a working hypothesis. Four, 

 devise a controlled method of investigation by observation ... or 

 by experimentation or both. Five, gather and record the testimony 

 or "raw data." Six, transform these raw data into a statement having 

 meaning and significance. Seven, arrive at an assertion which appears 

 to be wananted. If the assertion is correct, predictions may be made 

 from it. Eight, unify the warranted assertion, if it proves to be new 

 knowledge in science, with the body of knowledge already estab- 

 lished.^ 



If this set of steps is studied carefully, it is found to include essen- 

 tially the same operations or activities described by Conant. 



As I see it, scientific method is an alternation of two types of activities, 

 the observational and the explanatory, or an alteration of inductive and 

 deductive reasoning. Scientific method is a cyclic method of accumulat- 

 ing knowledge; nowadays it never starts and never ends. Observation 

 leads to a hypothetical explanatory induction which must be tested 

 deductively by further observation. Each new observation produces new 

 explanations, and each new explanation suggests new observations. At 

 each turn of this cycle, the explanations become better; that is, they 

 more nearly coincide with the natural laws. The hypotheses become less 

 hypothetical as they are founded on more observations. Eventually, 



2 James B. Conant, Modern Science and Modern Man (New York: Columbia 

 University Press, 1952), p. 20. 

 ^ Ibid., p. 20. 



