Scientific Theory: What Are Controlled Studies and the Scientific Method

In the world of science, one of the key ideas is the scientific method. This method is the basis for how theories are proved either true or false. It is a multipart process that takes a fair amount of time in order to analyze the world around us.

The scientific method has four main parts. The first is the observation stage. During this stage of the process a person to observe something about the world and decides he or she would like to study it. The next step is that the person creates a hypothesis, or possible explanation for the observation that was made. He or she uses reasoning and creative thinking to guess what will happen or why a certain phenomenon exists. The next stage in the process is the actual testing of the hypothesis. It is a essential that the experiment is designed properly so that all variables except for the experimental one are constant. This ensures that the data gathered is reliable. Finally, the last stage in the scientific method is the conclusion. During this stage, the person must decide whether or not his or her hypothesis was correct. In order for the findings to be deemed reliable, and it must be possible for others to re-create the experiment and observe the same things.

A controlled study is a way of testing a certain hypothesis that person wishes to test. For example, if a person has a hypothesis that medicine one is better than medicine two for the treatment of a specific illness, then he or she should create three experimental groups. One group to receive medicine one, another group should receive medicine two, and the final group should receive a placebo. The third group will be known as the control group, because they are not actually taking a real medicine. Additionally, the person testing the hypothesis can make it a double blind study by making a third-party view the results without knowing which group has taken which medicine. This way, it is obvious whether or not one medicine is better than the other. Finally, after the hypothesis has been proved, it must be possible for other people to re-create the same experiment and get the same results.

Scientific theory states that the main goal of science is to understand how the world works and offer explanations for it. One of the main theories in the study of biology that has lead to several breakthroughs is the theory of evolution. Some people even refer to this theory as a principle or law since it has over 100 years of support by many different people.

Source:
Benitz, Bill. Lecture: Biology. September 7, 2009