SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND HYPOTHESIS

 SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND HYPOTHESIS

This article mainly describe about Scientific Method and Scientific Inquiry and Hypothesis. Scientific method is define as, a series of steps followed by scientific investigations to answer specific questions about the natural world. Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. A hypothesis is a potential answer to the question, one that can somehow be tested.

 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

Scientific Method and Scientific Inquiry are not same. There are differences between Scientific Method and Scientific Inquiry

First one is that, the scientific method has a linear or defined order. But scientific inquiry has no such a linear or defined order. The second difference is that, the scientific method answers a single posed question. But scientific inquiry may end up generating more questions. Another difference is that, the results of scientific method may be communicated at the conclusion of the experiment. But in scientific inquiry communication is a key component throughout.

 

Scientific method

The scientific method was first outlined by Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626). We can simply define the scientific method as a series of steps followed by scientific investigations to answer specific questions about the natural world. There are four basic steps in scientific method. They are,

·        Make an observation.

·        Ask a question.

·        Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.

·        Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.

·        Test the prediction.

·        Use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.

 

                                                                       Scientific Inquiry

 

Science is learning and understanding something new. Inquiry means asking for information or investigating something to find out more. Therefore, scientific inquiry is the use of evidence from observations and investigations to provide logical explanations and answers to questions.

Scientific inquiry have two functions: first, to provide a descriptive account of how scientific inquiry is carried out in practice, and second, to provide an explanatory account of why scientific inquiry succeeds as well as it appears to do in arriving at genuine knowledge. [2]

 

HYPOTHESIS

A hypothesis is a potential answer to the question, one that can somehow be tested. This hypothesis is not necessarily the right explanation. Instead, it's a possible explanation that we can test to see if it is likely correct, or if we need to make a new hypothesis. [4]

There are many types of hypothesis. They are,

·        Simple Hypothesis.

·        Complex Hypothesis.

·        Directional Hypothesis.

·        Non-directional Hypothesis.

·        Associative and Causal Hypothesis.

·        Null Hypothesis.

·        Alternative Hypothesis.

REFERENCES

1. Hempel, C.G., 1966. Philosophy of Natural Science. Printice Hall. Inc., Englewood Cliffs.
2. Models of scientific inquiry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Models_of_scientific_inquiry
3. Scientific method,  https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/the-scientific-method/#:~:text=The%20basic%20steps%20of%20the,conclusions%20and%20refine%20the%20hypothesis.&text=Critical%20thinking%20is%20a%20key,logic%20to%20come%20to%20conclusions.
4. Scientific method, https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology