HYPOTHETICO DEDUCTIVE METHOD
HDM involves a two tier system of hypothesis (Trotta, et., al., 2013). A more general hypothesis is hierarchically created at the higher level to explain certain set of observational data. At the second level in the hierarchy there are one or more hypothesis that are deductively created as consequences considering the hypothesis at level one to be true. These deductively arrived consequences are subjected to further observation and experimentation to verify them. The validity of the tier I hypothesis depends upon the verification of tier II hypothesis. Thus we can say that HDM involve a system of hypothesis.
In a nutshell the method can be represented as follows:
a. Hypothesising
Scientists faced with some explanation problem, makes a bold gesture and proposes a hypothesis as a tentative explanation for some set of observational data.
b. Deduction
The hypothesis is taken as a truth premise and following deductive reasoning, the scientist make certain predictions. These predictions are logical consequences if the tier I hypothesis is taken to be true. The predictions are themselves hypothetical statements (Tier II). The tier II hypothesis or the predictions or consequences emanating from tier I hypothesis are more specific.
c. Observation
The tier II hypothesis are empirically tested I.e. the consequences deduced need to be examined against the real world processes. The observational data decides the fate of the tier I hypothesis- whether it is to be accepted as a theory, modified or discarded.
The three phase scientific method is termed as the Hypothetico-deductive method (HDM) that shows the hypothetical nature of SM.
The general pattern of reasoning goes like this.
H is……………………………………………………..lHypothesis/Creative phaseIf H (hypothesis) then P (predictions)……………..Deduction phaseP is……………………………………………………..Observation/Testing PhaseTherefore H……………………………………………Conclusion
In a nutshell the method can be represented as follows:
a. Hypothesising
a. Hypothesising
Scientists faced with some explanation problem, makes a bold gesture and proposes a hypothesis as a tentative explanation for some set of observational data.
b. Deduction
The hypothesis is taken as a truth premise and following deductive reasoning, the scientist make certain predictions. These predictions are logical consequences if the tier I hypothesis is taken to be true. The predictions are themselves hypothetical statements (Tier II). The tier II hypothesis or the predictions or consequences emanating from tier I hypothesis are more specific.
c. Observation
c. Observation
The tier II hypothesis are empirically tested I.e. the consequences deduced need to be examined against the real world processes. The observational data decides the fate of the tier I hypothesis- whether it is to be accepted as a theory, modified or discarded.
The three phase scientific method is termed as the Hypothetico-deductive method (HDM) that shows the hypothetical nature of SM.
The three phase scientific method is termed as the Hypothetico-deductive method (HDM) that shows the hypothetical nature of SM.
The general pattern of reasoning goes like this.
H is……………………………………………………..lHypothesis/Creative phase
If H (hypothesis) then P (predictions)……………..Deduction phase
P is……………………………………………………..Observation/Testing Phase
Therefore H……………………………………………Conclusion