Author Description

The purpose of this short book is to provide in one place a systematic, clear description and discussion of the Scientific Method for the general public, students, teachers, and scientists. The style is informal. It is not about any particular field of science. Instead it discusses how science is done and why it is successful. A convenient outline of the Scientific Method is provided and each step is discussed in the book chapters. Easily understood examples from the history of science are used to illustrate each step. The modern practice of science and its connection to society are also discussed. Written by a working scientist, the book straddles the gulf between simplified descriptions of the Scientific Method for young students and academic treatises on the philosophy of science. The author argues that the Scientific Method should be explicitly taught to all students at multiple academic levels. What is the difference between a hypothesis and an opinion? Can you clearly explain how testing a hypothesis differs from discussing or debating an opinion or belief? Do you know how to assess the likelihood you have a disease, such as COVID, based on your result from a test for the disease? If not, please read this book. For greater confidence in evaluating reports in the news of new scientific results and discoveries, or if you are considering a career in science, read this book now! Do not simply believe reports of fantastic new scientific results. Instead, try to evaluate them. Science is not about belief. Trust scientific results that have clearly been established using the Scientific Method.