The Origins and Influence of the Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method?

• method of procedure that has characterized natural science consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

Background

• No single creator, evolved over time by Ancient Egyptians, Muslims, Greeks, and Europeans
• Sir Isaac Newton refined the process into what we use today in the 17th century

Before the Scientific Method

• Ideas were not based off proof
• Based off Induction (Bottom-up approach
• Broad Conclusions from many observations

Spontaneous Generation was believed to be common knowledge before the Scientific Method

Miasma Theory

Different Ideas

• Aristotle (One of Original)
• Roger Bacon (Based on Muslim scientists)
• Galileo (Father)
• Francis Bacon (Novum Organum)
• Descartes (Treatise Discource)

THE MODERN SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Make Observation
• Conduct Research
• Form Hypothesis
• Test Hypothesis
• Record Data
• Draw a Conclusion
• Replicate