This book is the first synthesis of the practice and the philosophy of the scientific method. It offers scientists a deeper understanding of the underpinnings of the scientific method, thereby leading to more productive research and experimentation. It also provides a greater perspective on the rationality of the scientific approach and its role in society. Topics relevant to a variety of disciplines are treated, and clarifying figures, case studies, and chapter summaries enhance the pedagogy.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
'In encouraging scientists to examine the basic beliefs and attitudes they share, Gauch provides an enriching journey into a humanities-rich version of science. And because it is a book written by a scientist for scientists, its practical use improves productivity while enriching the experience of discovery.' Marye Anne Fox, Chancellor of the University of California, former President of Sigma Xi (2001 - 2002), and Chair of the National Research Council Committee on Undergraduate Science Education
'Written by a scientist for scientists, this is an impressive and comprehensive treatment of the principles of scientific method. Hugh Gauch provides an important, and well-informed, contribution to our contemporary understanding of the practice of science.' Roger Trigg, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick and Chair of the British Philosophical Association
'Hugh Gauch's discussion of the science wars and the impact this has had on science education is significant and important. Extensive international studies reflect the regrettable consequences of such philosophical diversions. This book helps one understand the issues.' William H. Schmidt, University Distinguished Professor of Education at Michigan State University and National Research Coordinator for the U.S. participation in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
'Gauch's claim that a deeper appreciation of the philosophical and theoretical principles undergirding the scientific method would improve the focus, effectiveness and productivity of research scientists is fundamentally sound. Using examples drawn from many fields in science and technology, including pharmacology and clinical medicine, he ably illustrates the relevance and practical benefits of his ideas. This book has much to offer students, educators and professional scientists alike.' Bartholomew J. Votta, Senior Investigator, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Department of Musculoskel et. al. Diseases
'... a resource that should improve the perspective and productivity of almost any student, educator or professional scientist who reads it.' Journal of Biological Education
'... educationalists should find much of benefit in Gauch's elaboration of 'Scientific Method in Practice'. Science & Education
'Written by a scientist for scientists, this is an impressive and comprehensive treatment of the principles of scientific method. Hugh Gauch provides an important, and well-informed, contribution to our contemporary understanding of the practice of science.' Roger Trigg, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick and Chair of the British Philosophical Association
'Hugh Gauch's discussion of the science wars and the impact this has had on science education is significant and important. Extensive international studies reflect the regrettable consequences of such philosophical diversions. This book helps one understand the issues.' William H. Schmidt, University Distinguished Professor of Education at Michigan State University and National Research Coordinator for the U.S. participation in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
'Gauch's claim that a deeper appreciation of the philosophical and theoretical principles undergirding the scientific method would improve the focus, effectiveness and productivity of research scientists is fundamentally sound. Using examples drawn from many fields in science and technology, including pharmacology and clinical medicine, he ably illustrates the relevance and practical benefits of his ideas. This book has much to offer students, educators and professional scientists alike.' Bartholomew J. Votta, Senior Investigator, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Department of Musculoskel et. al. Diseases
'... a resource that should improve the perspective and productivity of almost any student, educator or professional scientist who reads it.' Journal of Biological Education
'... educationalists should find much of benefit in Gauch's elaboration of 'Scientific Method in Practice'. Science & Education
Book Description
Between the covers of this book is the first synthesis of both the practice and the philosophy of the scientific method. It will enable scientists to be better scientists by offering them a deeper understanding of the underpinnings of the scientific method, thus leading to more productive research and experimentation. The book examines "science wars" and science's presuppositions, deductive and inductive logic, probability, statistics, and parsimony, science's powers, its limits, and science education. Topics relevant to a variety of disciplines are treated, and clarifying figures, case studies, and chapter summaries enhance the pedagogy.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ordinary citizen finds value,
By
This review is from: Scientific Method in Practice (Paperback)
I cannot add anything to the other reviews from a professinal point of view. I am an ordinary citizen trying to make sense of statistics.
This book cuts through the fog emminently well. The explanations of the Bayesian approach and of parsimony are excellent. It's nice to know that we can prove something true (beyond reasonable doubt, at least) instead of having to prove things to be not true. How confusing it is to have to prove a "null hypothesis" not true so that we can have a vague double negative about the truth of our alternative hypotheses.
7 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Apparently, a healthier philosophy of science,
By Stefan Jetchick (Sillery, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Scientific Method in Practice (Paperback)
If you're going to conduct research tomorrow and need a "how-to" book, there might be better choices. A more accurate title could be: "A Healthier Philosophy of Science; Making Mincemeat out of Popper, Lakatos, Kuhn and Feyerabend".I really enjoyed the book, although I'm "Math-Impaired" so I can't judge the more technical sections. Aspiring scientists should read it once, I think. The only serious shortcoming is when he says: "Science rests on faith", p. 152, because of the bad influence of Thomas Reid. A more appropriate epistemological foundation would be "Thonnard, F.-J., Précis de philosophie, Paris, Desclée, 1950" (sorry, out of print, but I want to translate it and put it on my website, God willing). For more info, Google my name.
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book to answer the question is this Ph.D. just a technical degree?,
By A Reader (California USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Scientific Method in Practice (Paperback)
As stated in its introduction, this book was motivated by the concerns (perhaps fears is a more apt description) of a doctoral student who felt that she would not have an opportunity to learn about the "philosophy of science." Neither in her coursework nor in informal interactions with her professors.
Although I now believe that this common concern/fear is really more aworry than a reality (and is best addressed by the demarcation problem/boundary work [e.g., science and religion studies as found in Oxford Professor John Hendley Brooke's books/papers]), the inability of many intelligent professors (especially the younger ones) to adequately address it when asked has marred the experience of students in more than a few major doctoral degree-granting research programs.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
This book explores the general principles of scientific method that pervade all of the sciences, focusing on practical aspects. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
plants lack nitrogen, frequentist hypothesis tests, overfit spurious noise, rms prediction difference, worldview forum, postdictive accuracy, contextual negation, validation noise, marble experiment, frequentist paradigm, direct datum, suppositional reasoning, regulating belief, imaginary outcomes, frequentist analysis, frequentist analyses, gaining accuracy, blue draws, likelihood odds, probability axioms, soybean data, discarded residual, frequentist statistics, statistical efficiency, polynomial family Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Duns Scotus, Francis Bacon, David Hume, Karl Popper, Third World, Albertus Magnus, William of Ockham, Scientific American, Robert Grosseteste, The Golem, Thomas Kuhn, United States, Albert Einstein, Thomas Aquinas, Big Bang, Cornell University, Isaac Newton, Roger Bacon, Thomas Reid, Forrest Troyer, Henry of Ghent, Immanuel Kant, Jean Buridan, Paul Feyerabend, Angelic Doctor New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
This book explores the general principles of scientific method that pervade all of the sciences, focusing on practical aspects. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
plants lack nitrogen, frequentist hypothesis tests, overfit spurious noise, rms prediction difference, worldview forum, postdictive accuracy, contextual negation, validation noise, marble experiment, frequentist paradigm, direct datum, suppositional reasoning, regulating belief, imaginary outcomes, frequentist analysis, frequentist analyses, gaining accuracy, blue draws, likelihood odds, probability axioms, soybean data, discarded residual, frequentist statistics, statistical efficiency, polynomial family Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Duns Scotus, Francis Bacon, David Hume, Karl Popper, Third World, Albertus Magnus, William of Ockham, Scientific American, Robert Grosseteste, The Golem, Thomas Kuhn, United States, Albert Einstein, Thomas Aquinas, Big Bang, Cornell University, Isaac Newton, Roger Bacon, Thomas Reid, Forrest Troyer, Henry of Ghent, Immanuel Kant, Jean Buridan, Paul Feyerabend, Angelic Doctor New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- Science Teaching: A Contemporary Synthesis of History and Philosophy in Science Education - 20th Anniversary Edition (Philosophy of Education Research Library) by Michael Matthews on 4 pages
- The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn on 4 pages
- The Golem: What Everyone Should Know about Science (Canto original series) by Harry M. Collins on page 92, and Back Matter
- Francis Bacon on page 118, and Back Matter
- Truth and Objectivity (Philosophical Theory) by Brian David Ellis on page 40, and Back Matter
See all 100 books this book cites
- Smart Biosensor Technology (Optical Science and Engineering) by George K. Knopf on page 434
- Discrete Inverse and State Estimation Problems: With Geophysical Fluid Applications by Carl Wunsch in Back Matter
- Science and Policy in Natural Resource Management: Understanding system complexity by Helen E. Allison in Back Matter
- Philosophy, Science, Education and Culture (Contemporary Trends and Issues in Science Education) by Robert Nola in Back Matter
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