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Since before the Renaissance, the Scientific Method has been the basis for science investigation. When I queried high school students recently about the process, they unanimously responded that the scientific method started with the formation of an hypothesis. Then, they said, test that hypothesis against data. I disagreed. It is a mistake of first magnitude to form an hypothesis in a vacuum or even with just some preliminary observations or thoughts. Preconceived ideas and opinions can be misleading, distracting, and disastrous.
When I teach the scientific method, I quote Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conon Doyle. In The Scandal in Bohemia, Holmes turns to his associate, the venerable, but naive Dr. Watson, and says,
“Watson … it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts…”
You must first have some basis for hypothesizing, some substantiation for formulating. You must start with data and facts, not random suppostions. Do not form opinions based on scant observations and vague notions. Let the data speak.
Then, once the data are collected and a valid hypothesis formulated, that hypothesis can be tested against additional experiments. The hypothesis might be verified, contradicted, or modified. One experiment can disprove an hypothesis, but no amount of data can prove an hypothesis. The experiment and hypothesis usually iterate until some overarching theory is formed. The theory should explain the behavior of nature in some way. A theory, in physics, is virtually useless it can make predictions. Predictions are made and the new data are compared to the predictions.
In technology and in life, do not form opinions or develop hypotheses until you have accurate, validated data in hand. Start with the data and then form your opinions.
As Adrian Monk says, “You’ll thank me later.”