The Scientific Method: What does it mean to you?

Published: May 19, 2016, 8:21 p.m.

Our first Sci on the Fly Podcast: “The Scientific Method: What does it mean to you?” involves a discussion on the scientific method. In its most general sense the scientific method is simply a form of asking and answering research questions. Yet in practice, particularly in elementary and middle school education, the scientific method is more prescriptive and points future scientists in the direction of experimentation and hypothesis testing. While in many science disciplines this is how research is conducted, there are others- like in some social sciences- where this is too formulaic and prevents the generation of new information. In this episode, six current AAAS S&T fellows discuss the variation of scientific methods across disciplines, the diversity of research questions that science can answer, and the importance of a more heterogeneous approach to understanding the scientific method.