The scientific method is systematic approach to investigating phenomena through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and theory development. Features include empirical observation and testing.
Ancient empiricism. Bacon's induction (1620). Galileo combined mathematics with experiment. Newton synthesized. 19th century added statistics. 20th century philosophical analysis.
Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Galileo, Newton, William Whewell, John Stuart Mill, Karl Popper.
Observation and investigation. Hypothesis formation. Prediction derivation. Experimental testing. Theory development. Induction and deduction. Falsification.
Foundation of modern science. Shaped scientific education. Established research standards. Relevant to evaluating claims. Essential to scientific literacy.
