Scientific thinking

SCTH001
Dr. Noura Abou Zeinab

Spring 2018/2019
Research is …….

 Knowledge acquisition gained

through reasoning
through intuition
butmost importantly through the use of
appropriate methods
The Scientific Method

Polgar, Thomas 2
 Basic Elements of the Scientific
Method
 Empiricism: the notion that enquiry is conducted through
observation and knowledge verified through evidence

 Determinism: the notion that events occur according to

regular laws and causes. The goal of research is to
discover these

 Scepticism: the notion that any proposition is open to

analysis and critique
Polgar, Thomas 3
 Scientific Method
1. Choose a question to investigate
2. Identify a hypothesis related to the question
3. Make testable predictions in the hypothesis
4. Design an experiment to answer hypothesis question
5. Collect data in experiment
6. Determine results and assess their validity
7. Determine if results support or refute your hypothesis

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 The Scientific Method
1. Suspicion that a factor (exposure) may
influence occurrence of disease or a noted
health outcome

- Observations in clinical practice

- Examination of disease/outcome patterns
- Do subpopulations have higher or lower rates?
- Are disease rates increased in the presence of certain factors?

- Observations in laboratory research

- Theoretical speculation
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 The Scientific Method
2. Identify variables you are interested in:
• Exposure - (risk factor, protective factor,
predictor variable, treatment)
• Outcome - (disease, event)

3. Formulate a specific hypothesis

- Frame a hypothesis which seeks to answer a specific question
about the relationship between an exposure and an outcome

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 Intellectual processes and
approaches used in science
 Intellectual processes and
approaches used in science
1. Analysis and Synthesis:
 1.1 Analysis
 1-2 Synthesis
2- Scientific intuition:
 2.1 Sensory intuition
 2.2 Native intuition
 2.3 Mental Intuition
 2.4 Innovative intuition
3 - Inference
 Intellectual processes and
approaches used in science
3 – Inference
 3.1 Deduction (interpolation)
 3.2 Induction (extrapolation)
 3.3 Exemplification measurements
 Intellectual processes and approaches used
in science
3 – Inference
 3.1 Deduction (interpolation) )‫(استنباط‬
 3.1.1 Direct deduction
 3.1.2 Indirect deduction
 A- Measurement (Mensuration)
 B - Conditional inferences
 1- Joint
 2- Discrete
 C) Mathematical inferences

 3.2 Induction (extrapolation) )‫(استقراء‬

 3.2.1 Incomplete scientific induction
 3.2.2 Complete scientific induction
 3.2.3 Complete mathematical induction
 1. Analysis and Synthesis:
1.1 Analysis

 The term “Analytic” is derived from word ‘Analysis’

which means to break or resolve a thing into its
constituent elements.

 It is a method of unfolding of the statement in question

or conducting its different operations to explain the
different aspects minutely which are required for the
presentation of pre-discovered facts
 1. Analysis and Synthesis:
1.1 Analysis

 This method includes breaking up the unknown problem into

simpler parts which can be recombined to find solutions.
 The procedure adopted is to go ‘from unknown to known’ and find
out desired results.

 The great psychologist, Thorndike, supported this method. He

believed that through analysis, the highest intellectual performance
of the mind is possible
 1) Example
In ALGEBRA,
If a/b = c/d, Prove that
ac+2b2/bc = c2 + 2bd/ cd
 Proof:
 Identify
ac+2b2/bc = c2 + 2bd/ cd
(ac+2b2 ) cd = bc (c2 + 2bd)
acd+ 2b2d = bc2 + 2b2d
acd = bc2
a/b = c/d
 But,
a/b = c/d(given)
 Merits of Analysis Methods

 This method is a Logical method and there is no

room for doubts in the mind of scientists.

 Thinking and reasoning power of scientists is

developed by this method.

 The Self confidence of scientists develop.

 Merits of Analysis Methods
 It encourages Scientific originality and creativity among scientists .

 Logical approach to prove proposition and statements

 Active participation in learning process.

 The scientists gets clear understanding of the topic and helps him to
go through the whole process himself.

 A scientist proceeds from unknown to known

 Demerits of Analysis Methods

 This method is a lengthy method.

 It is not possible to learn all topics through this method.

 This method is not suitable to all types of scientists.
 The method is not useful at lower stage of mathematics
learning which involve objective thinking and exploratory
approach.

 The method has slow speed, Time taken for reasoning and
 1. Analysis and Synthesis:
1.2 Synthesis

 This method is opposite of analytic method as synthesis

is compliment of analysis.

 The term ‘synthetic’ is derived from word “SYNTHESIS”

which means to combine together.

 A scientist proceeds from known to unknown

 Facts already known are applied to new situations so that

the combination of known facts help us to find new facts.
Example
In ALGEBRA,
 If a/b = c/d, Prove that
ac+2b2/bc = c2 + 2bd/ cd

Proof: Given
a/b = c/d
Add 2b/c to both sides
a/b+2b/c = c/d+2b/c
ac+2b2/bc = c2 + 2bd/ cd
 Hence proved.
 a/b = c/d,
 ac+2b2/bc = c2 + 2bd/ cd
 Merits of Synthesis Methods
 IT Saves time and labour as the method is a short method.

 Majority of scientists benefitted by this method .

 Most of the topics in mathematics are covered by this
method.
 There is systematic presentation of facts which makes
the method a neat one.
 The memory of the scientist is glorified.
 Accuracy is developed by the method.
 A scientist proceeds from known to unknown.
 Demerits of Synthesis Methods

 Thereis possibility of forgetting in this

method.

 Itincreases the elements of doubt among

scientists.

 Thinking and evolving a sense of discovery

among learners.
 Conclusion

 In mathematical research, both analytic and

synthetic method should go together.

 Analysis leads to synthesis and synthesis makes

purpose of analysis clear. To understand
mathematics use analytical approach and to
retain knowledge and get work done fast, use
synthetic approach.

 Therefore ANALYTICO SYNTHETIC METHOD.

“Analysis is a method of discovery,
synthesis is
a method of concurred elegant
presentation”.
 2- Scientific intuition
 Scientific intuition: It is a mental process in which a
scientists is aware of what he perceive directly without
moving from introductions and without any kind of
scientific methods.

 It is thus different from inference that moves from

introductions to results.
 In general there are several types of intuition:
 2.1 Sensory intuition
 2.2 Native intuition
 2.3 Mental Intuition
 2.4 Innovative intuition
 2- Scientific intuition
2.1 Sensory intuition

 It is an intuition that relies on the five senses and

imagination all together.

 For example: An engineer, in order to establish a specific

work, is able to imagine and create certain images and
forms as well as to recognize relationships and to choose
among them
 2- Scientific intuition
2.2 Native intuition

 Which is the basis of the extrapolation processes

used in natural sciences (experimental), which
allows scientists to access to scientific laws.
 2- Scientific intuition
2.3 Mental intuition

 It is a mathematical intuition that we recognize

logical relationships and mathematical axioms
)‫(البديهيات‬
 2- Scientific intuition
2.4 Innovative (creative) intuition

 Sometimes it is called Inspirational intuition from which a scientist

can reached to the scientific theories and new discoveries.

 This type of Inspirational intuition is what distinguished innovative

scientists such as Newton, Gauss and Einstein.

 Although intuition is necessary in science because it is the source of

innovation, it always requires evidence and proof.

 Inference is usually provided by this evidence or proof.

 3 – Inference

 Meaning of inference: is a kind of conclusion.

 It is a process of transition from one introduction or a group
introductions to results.
 Or demonstrate a case by one or more other cases.

 Hence, we can identify the most important elements of inference:

 1. Introduction or introductions to infer the validity of a result.
 2. A specific result for this introduction or introductions.
 3 – A logical relationships linking these introductions to the result that is
required of them.
 4 - Rules on which a scientist used to think about moving from the
introduction or introductions to the result.