1.2. The Scientific Method http://www.ck12.org
Developing Theories
If many experiments are performed and each and every one supports the hypothesis, it may be that the hypothesis can
be accepted. Atheoryis an explanation that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed by multiple researchers and
has gained wide acceptance. The term theory is one that is often misunderstood by people in the general population
who are unfamiliar with the scientific method. Though a scientist may state that a theory cannot be proven correct,
he or she is certainly not saying that it is in doubt. A scientific theory has generally been confirmed over and over and
over again, although small details within a theory may be adjusted from time to time as new discoveries are made.
In a later chapter, you will learn about atomic theory and how it has changed over the last few centuries. While the
existence of atoms has not been in question for some time, new details about how the atom functions have resulted
in many updates and alterations of the essential theory.
Scientific Laws
Ascientific lawis a statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments and to which there
are no known exceptions. A familiar scientific law is the law of gravity. The force of attraction between two objects
is dependent in a very specific way on the masses of those objects and on the distance between them. The law of
gravity has been tested and proven countless times. Scientific laws often have a mathematical basis, though that is
not necessarily a requirement.
Scientific Communication
Today’s scientists rarely work alone. Rather, most scientists collaborate with one another in various settings as part
of a group effort. The majority of research scientists work either for a company, such as the DuPont Chemical
Company, or for one of many universities, such as the California Institute of Technology. Working as part of a group
has many advantages. Most scientific problems are so complex and time-consuming that one person could not hope
to address all of the issues by himself or herself. Instead, different members of a research group are each tasked
with a particular small aspect of a larger research problem. Collaboration between members of the group is frequent.
This occurs informally in the laboratory on an everyday basis. Research groups also typically have regular meetings
where one or more members of the group may give a presentation to the others on the status of the research that
they are doing. Progress normally occurs in small steps rather than grand, sweeping discoveries, and that progress
is helped along by the teamwork that comes from working as part of a group.
Modern scientific research is usually expensive. Lab equipment, chemicals, research space, and the upkeep of
technical instrumentation all cost money. Research groups need to raise money in order to continue their work. For
research done at universities, much of that money comes from government sources, such as the National Science
Foundation or the National Institute of Health. Private companies can fund their own research, but they may seek
outside funding as well. Scientists write grant proposals explaining the goals and projected costs of their research,
and funding agencies make decisions about which research projects they would like to fund. The long-term viability
of most research labs depends on the ability to get and maintain funding.
Communicating Results
Suppose that your research is a success. What now? Scientists communicate their results to one another and to the
public at large in several ways. One is to publish their research findings in publications called scientific journals.
There are many hundreds of scientific journals covering every imaginable field of science. A few of the major
chemistry journals include the “Journal of the American Chemical Society,” the “Journal of Physical Chemistry,” and
“Inorganic Chemistry.” Some journals have a very narrow scope, while others publish articles from many different
scientific disciplines and appeal to a wider audience. Examples of the latter include the journals “Science” and