Words describe concepts. Today the word “science” is used to describe two concepts .  One is to use it in the strict sense, scientific method, and the other is the broad application describing an organized study used to prove an opinion. These two concepts are not synonymous although many today use them that way. The scientific method is used to refute opinions while science as a study is a way to qualify opinions and passions. We can get a better understanding of the difference by examining what the scientific method means.

We want to remove vague notions from a practical study. It is counterproductive to use religion, superstition and impassioned opinions to form conclusions about how the world around us functions. It doesn’t mean we are against them, but since they cannot be observed and confirmed our  results become inconclusive. The scientific method starts out with observations. Through observations, our rational mind sees patterns and we come up with ideas. A hypothesis is an idea that has sound science as a basis. We set up tests to see if the hypothesis isn’t just a hunch but it actually occurs. Any time we are trying to prove something, there can be numerous variables in the testing that can skew the results. An honest expert will always state the margin of error and the variables so others can see. An honest scientist will want others to point out anything they might have missed. A  person who is doing a study to prove an opinion will use only data that supports their hypothesis and will ignore or hide the variables. They will also intimidate those who question the variables and the data. It is dishonest to qualify these claims by inferring they are using science in the strict sense.

When the results aren’t as conclusive as one would like them to be, it could be considered a model. This means the hypothesis can be used in most cases but there are also  variables that can affect it. We see this in physics quite a bit since at an atomic level many of the laws of physics don’t apply.

When the margin of error and variables are taken into account and all other possibilities are eliminated through careful experimentation and study, the results are observed as conclusive. We have a theory or a law. The theory can be used as a stepping stone to help others to make their own observations and hypothesis.  The ground doesn’t need to be covered again unless something in their results causes them to backtrack and revise the theory as we have seen in the past. If it is a medical hypothesis and lives are at stake, the results have to be studied carefully by using something alive and slowly working toward using it on humans. Everyone responds differently, long term effects are taken into account and there are numerous other variables. The margin of error is very tight since lives are at stake and yet we still see recalls.

There are studies that use past trends to try and predict future events. These are interesting but have a high margin of error because the information is ambiguous and there are numerous variables. If anyone was good at predicting economics for example, they would become rich. If we could predict exactly how a person might respond, we could control the world. But people tend to do what they want despite all our predictive studies. It doesn’t mean the studies are worthless but they are simply hybrid horoscopes. We can only tell elections for sure when the results come in. Models are used but the results can only be known when the event occurs. The study might turn a wild guess into an educated guess. It may use scientific principles as foundations for predictions but the variables kill it. It is by no means a use of scientific method. Examples of things that are considered science but don’t use scientific method are; Psychology, Economics and Climate Change.

We will expand on this…