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'''[[Scientific]] method''' is a body of techniques for investigating [[phenomenon|phenomena]] and acquiring new [[knowledge]], as well as for correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on gathering [[observable]], [[empirical]] and [[Measure (mathematics)|measurable]] [[evidence]] subject to specific principles of [[reasoning]],<ref>

'''[[Scientific]] method''' is a body of techniques for investigating [[phenomenon|phenomena]] and acquiring new [[knowledge]], as well as for correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on gathering [[observable]], [[empirical]] and [[Measure (mathematics)|measurable]] [[evidence]] subject to specific principles of [[reasoning]],

[[Isaac Newton]] (1687, 1713, 1726). "[4] Rules for the study of [[natural philosophy]]", ''[[Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica]]'', Third edition. The General Scholium containing the 4 rules follows Book '''3''', ''The System of the World''. Reprinted on pages 794-796 of [[I. Bernard Cohen]] and Anne Whitman's 1999 translation, [[University of California Press]] ISBN 0-520-08817-4, 974 pages. The collection of data through [[observation]] and [[experiment]]ation, and the formulation and testing of [[hypothesis|hypotheses]].  

[[Isaac Newton]] (1687, 1713, 1726). "[4] Rules for the study of [[natural philosophy]]", ''[[Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica]]'', Third edition. The General Scholium containing the 4 rules follows Book '''3''', ''The System of the World''. Reprinted on pages 794-796 of [[I. Bernard Cohen]] and Anne Whitman's 1999 translation, [[University of California Press]] ISBN 0-520-08817-4, 974 pages. The collection of data through [[observation]] and [[experiment]]ation, and the formulation and testing of [[hypothesis|hypotheses]].  

[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/scientific%20method scientific method], ''[[Merriam-Webster|Merriam-Webster Dictionary]]''.

[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/scientific%20method scientific method], ''[[Merriam-Webster|Merriam-Webster Dictionary]]''.

The advantage of the scientific method is that it is unprejudiced. One can test an experiment and determine whether his/her results are true or false. The conclusions will hold regardless of the state of mind, or the bias of the investigator and/or the subject of the investigation.

The advantage of the scientific method is that it is unprejudiced. One can test an experiment and determine whether his/her results are true or false. The conclusions will hold regardless of the state of mind, or the bias of the investigator and/or the subject of the investigation.

Although procedures vary from one [[Fields of science|field of inquiry]] to another, identifiable features distinguish scientific inquiry from other methodologies of knowledge. Scientific researchers propose [[hypothesis|hypotheses]] as explanations of phenomena, and design [[experiment]]al [[research|studies]] that test these hypotheses for accuracy. These steps must be repeatable in order to predict dependably any future results. [[Theory#Science|Theories]] that encompass wider domains of inquiry may bind many hypotheses together in a coherent structure. This in turn may assist in the formation of new hypotheses, as well as in placing groups of hypotheses into a broader context of understanding.

Although procedures vary from one [[Fields of science|field of inquiry]] to another, identifiable features distinguish scientific inquiry from other methodologies of knowledge. Scientific researchers propose [[hypothesis|hypotheses]] as explanations of phenomena, and design [[experiment]]al [[research|studies]] that test these hypotheses for accuracy. These steps must be repeatable in order to predict dependably any future results. [[Theory#Science|Theories]] that encompass wider domains of inquiry may bind many hypotheses together in a coherent structure. This in turn may assist in the formation of new hypotheses, as well as in placing groups of hypotheses into a broader context of understanding.