Examples of Scientific Method

The scientific method is a research method that characterizes natural Sciences since the seventeenth century. It is a rigorous process that allows describing situations, formulating and contrasting hypothesis.

To say that he is a scientist means that his goal is to produce knowledge.

It is characterized by:

The scientific method can lead to theory development. Theories are statements that have been verified, at least partially. If a theory is verified as true in all time and place, it becomes law. The natural laws they are permanent and immutable.

There are two fundamental pillars of the scientific method:

Examples of scientific method

1. Anthrax contagion

Robert Koch was a German physician who lived in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

When we speak of a scientist, his observations are not only of the world around him but also of the discoveries of other scientists. Thus, Koch first starts from Casimir Davaine's demonstration that the anthrax bacillus was transmitted directly between cows.

Another thing he observed were unexplained outbreaks of anthrax in places where there was no individual with anthrax.

Koch's investigations had multiple consequences in the scientific community. On the one hand, the discovery of the survival of pathogens (that cause disease) outside the agencies initiated the sterilization protocol for surgical instruments and other hospital items.

But in addition, his methods used in anthrax research were later perfected for the study of tuberculosis and cholera. For this, he developed staining and purification techniques, and bacterial growth media such as agar plates and Petri dishes. All these methods are still used today.

1. Smallpox vaccine

Edward Jenner was a scientist who lived in England between the 17th and 19th centuries.

At that time smallpox was a dangerous disease for humans, killing 30% of those infected and leaving scars in the survivors, or causing them blindness.

However, smallpox in the livestock It was mild and could be spread from cow to human by sores located on the cow's udders. Jenner found that many dairy workers claimed that if they had caught smallpox from cattle (which was cured quickly) they would not get sick from human smallpox.

1. You can apply the scientific method

The scientific method is a way of testing hypotheses. In order to be applied, it is necessary to be able to carry out an experiment.

For example, let's say you are always very sleepy during your math class.

As can be seen in this simple example, the scientific method is demanding when drawing conclusions, especially when our first hypothesis is not proven.