THE GENERAL PLAN OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The scientist selects a tentative explanation as the beginning step in his enquiry, and this tentative suggestion is taken as a hypothesis, which directs the search for corroborative or negating facts. The hypothesis is merely a question. Each hypothesis is recognized as a question belonging to a larger family of questions.

An investigation is designed in such a way that it involves a direct, analysis of all the major conditions of the hypothesis. Preferably the investigation takes the form of an experiment , which is carried out under carefully controlled conditions during the systematic variation of one of these conditions in particular. These characteristics allow reproducibility of the conditions under which a given experiment is performed. When experimentation is impossible, however, the investigator may employ other methods. Psychological science is founded upon, but not limited by, the experimental method.

If the results of the investigation are not controversial , the hypothesis may be confirmed (although not proved) and the next step involves tying together the results of a large number of scientifically tested propositions which have some system of relationship. The results of this last step may involve the formulation of a scientific law, which is merely a resume of a longer and more detailed description.

Another stage, although not an absolutely necessary one, is the organization of a theory to account for the laws. The laws, as well as the theories, represent generalizations from which formal deductions can be made. These deductions are then set up as hypotheses for further scientific investigation. A particular law or theory is thus tested objectively to whether or not the things which it predicts (which may be deduced from it) are supported or discredited empirically. As more and more correct predictions are added for a particular theory or law, we say that truth is approached (not attained by the theory or law.)

The process of induction from empirical evidence always involves a treacherous step because the evidence is never complete. In testing a certain hypothesis about human behaviour, we can never study all humans but must obtain what is believed to be a «representative» sample from the hypothetical population of all humans. Generalizations are thus of necessity made on the evidence of partial evidence, and so they are made only as probable inferences. The degree of probability — or confidence — that can be attached to scientific inferences differs from one another, and to this extent the business of science is directed toward diminishing error in the general process of scientific problem solving.

Theory and experiment are the helpmates of scientific pursuit, theory suggesting the pattern of the maze, and experirrent determining the blind alleys and the short cuts. Whenever such a maze is found to be composed only of blind alleys, it is modified or discarded. To this extent the term science should be reserved to describe a body of verified knowledge , and the most satisfactory criterion of science is in terms of the method of verification. Knowledge of facts without knowledge of procedures to discover the facts does not constitute science, and this is especially true in psychology. Knowing about the behaviour of people does not qualify one as a psychologist.

(«Methods of Psychology », edited byT.G. Andrews. N.Y., 1964,pp. 3—5)

Read after Lesson II.

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