Science of Biology and Scientific Method 21 



of newly discovered facts which may not have been available when the 

 original generalizations were made. There are numerous popular, but 

 erroneous, conceptions concerning the limitations and advantages of 

 science and what science tries to do, or can do. Some uninformed per- 

 sons may think that science can do anything, can solve all problems. 

 While this may not be completely true, the employment of the scientific 

 method in the solution of most problems will give more logical and 

 accurate answers than if an unscientific method is used. However, even 

 when the scientific method is used, if the proper precautions are not 

 followed in the use of its rules, erroneous conclusions or results may be 

 obtained. 



The failure to appreciate and understand the true nature of science 

 and its methods has caused much misunderstanding and some unjusti- 

 fied criticism of the value of the methods of science. Some misinformed 

 persons may criticize science because biology cannot explain fully what 

 "life" is. Here, as elsewhere, scientists can use only the tools which are 

 available to them — they can investigate scientifically the chemical reac- 

 tions and the physical processes inherent in living things and attempt to 

 explain life in terms of such investigations. This may not give the com- 

 plete explanation of life, possibly because the investigations are as yet 

 incomplete or somewhat inaccurate or because the ultimate problem is 

 not solvable by science. Even if scientists cannot solve the problem com- 

 pletely, they may gradually come closer and closer to the ultimate solu- 

 tion by the correct application of the scientific method. 



There may be variations in the steps to be followed in the use of the 

 scientific method but the following are representative: 



A. The Clear Recognition and Accurate Statement of the Problem to 

 Be Solved 



There are enormous numbers of -unusual, or previously unobserved, 

 problems or circumstances which are constantly present in the labora- 

 tory as well as in daily life. These may be simple and easily solved, 

 or complex, requiring laborious observations and experiments for their 

 solution. Before attempting a solution there must be a proper aware- 

 ness and clear recognition of the specific problem or situation. It should 

 be clearly in mind and accurately stated so that irrelevant, yet closely 

 related, problems do not enter in. In order to have the particular 

 problem clearly in mind, the investigator should organize his present 

 knowledge of the problem and familiarize himself with additional, perti- 

 nent information with which he may not now be familiar. The aware- 



