Question

Describe & discuss two items/concepts about scientific methodology? What question(s) remain unclear about scientific methodology?

Answer 1

Two concepts about scientific methodology are theory and hypothesis. For making predictions about future observations, we use theory. A testable prediction that can be logically arrived from the theory is called as hypothesis. Theory includes testing and verification of aspects from natural world using scientific methods, accepted protocols and proper evaluation of the results. Theories are also tested under controlled conditions for an experiment. A scientific hypothesis i.e., proposed explanation for a particular phenomenon requires scientific methods to test it. Scientific hypotheses are generally based on the previous observations and knowledge. Prediction is made based on the hypothesis and then experiments are run to test the prediction. Results are analyzed to check whether the hypothesis is correct or incorrect.

Sometimes scientific methodology is unclear, it has limitations. Scientific methods can answer only the objective questions which are based on the quantitative facts that are measurable, observable and experiments that can be repeated. It is unable to answer qualitative subjective questions that are based on opinions or beliefs.