What is the Scientific Method?
Despite the popular notion, there is no pre-defined “scientific method” used by all scientists. To be sure, there are certain “rules” that all scientists must follow when doing science (for instance, as stated earlier, it must be possible to disprove a hypothesis). In reality, there are many different types of scientific methods for developing answers to our questions about the world. One thing that sets science apart from other ways of knowing is that it attempts to be self-correcting. Current scientific knowledge and understanding is subject to regular review and re-analysis. Experimental results require independent duplication and confirmation by other scientists to obtain acceptance. Scientific knowledge is made available for public scrutiny and analysis to anyone who wants it. The real scientific method is critical thinking. Critical thinking acts as the “filter of science.” Scientists use comparative critical thinking to determine which explanations are more likely to be correct
