Description

The Scientific Method is the series of processes by which hypotheses, ideas and theories are shown to be true beyond a reasonable scientific doubt. Most science'fact' is expressed in terms of probabilities rather than certainties. Thus, by means of statistical calculations, researchers aim to determine whether an observed association between two events or characteristics may have occurred by chance (coincidence), whether they frequently occur together (correlation) or whether they occur together because one causes the other (causative relationship). In this article we review the Scientific Method and consider the statistical tests that are applied. We then focus on the occasions when science changes its mind and review eight such occurrences.

More from this issue

A vote with two candidates is simple the majority is clear. When there are more candidates, the vote is still clear if one receives more votes...

Jan 2017
Journal Article

Natural products are ubiquitous in nature but do not form a large proportion of the A-level syllabuses in the UK. In this article we briefly...

Jan 2017
Journal Article

Chemists have always been at a disadvantage when it comes to writing for the public in a way that will get them interested in our science and what...

Jan 2017
Journal Article