Evidenced-Based Reasoning in an Inquiry-based Framework

Generalization of a Scientific Method

"A habit of basing convictions upon evidence, and of giving to them only that degree or certainty which the evidence warrants, would, if it became general, cure most of the ills from which the world suffers." 
            -- Bertrand Russell

What can/do we observe?

  • What is observable directly without "help"?

  • What is observable with "help"?

    • Is what I observe changed by the "help"?

    • Am I using the "help" in such a way that it is "helpful"?

  • What is observable indirectly (by inference or deduction)?

  • Are my observations:

    • accurately recorded?

    • honestly reported?

What can/do we learn from these observations?

  • What can I conclude based on observations?

  • What can I conclude based on inferences from my observations?

  • What can I say that is consistent with my observations?

  • What can I say that is consistent with inferences from my observations?

How sure are we that we are "right"?

  • If I repeated or changed my method of observation, would it change what I:

    • observe?

    • infer?

    • conclude?

  • Is what I have observed consistent with what others have observed?

  • Is what I have inferred consistent with what others have inferred?

  • Is what I have concluded consistent with what others have concluded?

 This applet, A Better Fire, is from Shodor's Interactivate.

Why should we care?

  • What approximations were made to formulate the problem?

  • What approximations were made to implement the formulation?

  • How would one proceed to remove these approximations?

  • What would be the expected effect of these improvements?

  • Can the model be used as a sub-model for a larger system?