Fundamental principles of science

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 Taking science to be "Trying to give correct answers to questions that we feel have correct answers", what are the fundamental principles in this process?

One view is that they are
  • Open-mindedness
  • Impartiality
  • Reproducibility
  • Collaboration
  • Clarity and precision

The basis for saying this is
  • This is the way that people behave when carrying out science that has resulted in useful answers.
  • These principles seem to make sense if our aim is to give correct answers to questions that we feel have correct answers, or in current terminology, they have face validity.

Open-mindedness

There needs to be a willingness to draw whatever conclusions are indicated by the evidence, rather than starting with a particular point of view and looking only for evidence in support of it. There is no problem with having some opinion on what the outcome of research is likely to be, provided that the opinion is based on evidence and is not fixed; so that when new evidence is collected, the opinion is adjusted appropriately, according to the new totality of evidence. Open-mindessness includes a willingness to accept unexpected discoveries (e.g. Fleming's discovery of penicillin).

Impartiality

Everything is dealt with fairly and even-handedly
  • There is unbiased collection and summarising of data. This is as opposed to taking a point of view and looking only for evidence that support it.
  • Conclusions are based fairly on the evidence.
  • Uncertainties in data and conclusions are clearly set out.
  • There is a clear distinction between "fact" and "opinion".

Reproducibility

So
  • experiments are reported with enough detail of the methods to enable them to be repeated by others,
  • experiments are reported with enough detail of the results and methods of analyses for the conclusions to be scrutinised,
  • there is zero tolerance for dishonesty.
We might also describe this as "transparency".

Collaboration

So
  • There is publication and disseminating of data and conclusions to anyone interested.
  • There is integration of the conclusions from a study into other existing knowledge, with weighting based on the strength of evidence.
  • Discussion is in a rational, impartial manner, as a collaborative exercise aimed at obtaining correct answers. This is as opposed to an adversarial process, with personal attacks and so on.

Clarity and precision

This is through definitions and standards (see http://www.whatisscience.info/3.html).







Last updated: 10 Apr 2018