Scientific_Thinking

Scientific Thinking Method “Science. It is almost a second language as well as a method of inquiry” (Goldmaster & Kirby, 2007). Science connects with the world in many ways such as medicine, psychology, and physics. Science is at the forefront of discoveries that helps us continue to explore new areas and cures for diseases and illnesses in today’s world. We will review the nature of science, the scientific method and its steps, various assumptions, experiments, research, and proof of these discoveries or problems. “The four major steps in the scientific method involve inductive thinking are: 1. Observation 2. Hypothesis formulation 3. Experimentation 4. Verification. Observation is the first step of the scientific method that involves us to explore the cause and effects of what we observe”(Goldmaster and Kirby,2007). Goldmaster and Kirby (2007) stated “Observations lead us to wonder about causes and effects of what we observe, about its character and constitution, and how we might intervene to create desirable change” (Chapter 10). The next step is hypothesis stated by Goldmaster and Kirby as a tentative statement about the relationship between two variables, usually in the form of a predication: “If A, then B.” Experimentation the third step, involves testing the hypothesis through several methods. Finally, verification is the data to support or deny the hypothesis. Other ways of knowing that are a branch of the scientific method is philosophy and appeal to authority. Observation is the common denominator between philosophy and science. Philosophers will look deeper into the reasons for solutions of problems outside of observation. The domain of the science is the world of observation, also known as the empirical world (Goldmaster & Kirby, 2007). According to the Oxford English Dictionary (n.d.) empirical is (an adjective) means based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic. Philosophy is based on theory outside the empirical world based on values, religious beliefs, etc. The appeal to authority deals the fact that people often refer to authority figures for information such as doctors, teachers and religious publications. The logical thought process is the basis of our thoughts. Logical thinking explores creative thinking, inductive, and deductive reasoning. Logic is partially based on deductive reasoning and forms of syllogism. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary syllogism is a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed premises. Two forms of syllogisms are: 1) Categorical syllogisms deal with particular arguments that associate with a subject or class. 2) Disjunctive syllogisms uses either/or dealing denial or affirmation. Fallacies are also part of the logical aspect of thinking that deal more assumptive views. In contrast, persuasive thinking deals with human emotions. They also deal with more psychological aspects of thinking. The persuasive thinker has to maintain control in every aspect. Their focus has to be on their subject and themselves. This requires total awareness of their audience to carry out their mission. It also requires some manipulation and skill to manage both parties through this process. Different emotional appeals are used, for example,: Fear, Rational, Pity, and Pride. Strong use of vocabulary and skill in debating is another attribute of the persuasive thinker. My workplace uses the scientific method of thinking for decision- making when it runs various strategies for different departments. The marketing department will measure buying trends to determine what type of account to offer clients as well as various retail promotions. The collection area measures data in delinquency to forecast loss projections for the company. References Empirical. (n.d.) In Oxford English dictionary online. Retrieved from http//www.oed.com Syllogism. (n.d.) In Oxford English dictionary online. Retrieved from http//www.oed.com G. Kirby & J. Goldmaster Thinking: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Critical and Creative Thought, copyright 2007 Prentice Hall, Inc A Pearson education company