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Outline on the Qualities of the Scientific Method
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  See Also:  An Overview of the Methods of the Social Sciences
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  There are THREE Qualities of the Scientific Method which are utilized by the natural & the social sciences  
  a. Organized Skepticism:  All scientific claims must be supported by proof (research) which has been reviewed by the scientific community and replicated by others  
  Organized skepticism attempts to mitigate the effect of values in research by making the research process visible to all  
  b.  Share Findings:  There is an obligation to share both findings & methods so that others can review & replicate the experiment  
  The sharing of findings is done to prevent mistakes & hoaxes  
  One of the fundamental differences btwn common sense & science is that scientific knowledge is shared & replicated ( tested by others ) while common sense is merely our own personal experience w/ little or no methodology, replication, etc.  
  c.  Minimized Values:  Science tries to minimize values in research
For most of the public AND many scientists (social & natural), there is assumption that science is neutral, i.e. value free
 
  Max Weber originated idea of value-free science, but even he knew it was impossible to accomplish  
       The Scientific Method
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       The History of the Development of the Scientific Method
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       Criticism of science:  Weber on values & science
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       Hoaxes:
         The Piltdown man
         Cold Fusion
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The End