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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 |
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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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