Science Meets Real Life: The Scientific Method

Science Meets Real Life: The Scientific Method

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Science Meets Real Life: The Scientific Method

Scenario 1

The scientific method is a model used by scientists to come up with answers from available information. There are five steps involved when using the model. These are observation, hypothesis, experiment, and conclusion. The method can be designed to fit scenarios in everyday life and solve problems. This model can be applied to the above scenario with a few adjustments to it. When one enters a dark room, the first natural instinct is to find a light source. The noted absence of this light source is the first step in the model. There must be validation of the observation, which is the surety of the correct switch and room. From here, one can formulate a question for the process (Blakstad, 2012). The question formulated could be why there is no lighting. The query should help in the formation of a hypothesis which is a statement used to speculate outcomes (Shuttleworth, 2008). The hypothesis formed should be reasons for the absence of light. For example, there might be a blackout in the neighborhood, a power failure in the house’s electrical system or a deliberate action by an intruder. These are all possible hypothesis that must be tested to come up with a reliable answer.

The next step involves testing each of the hypotheses. The first step to testing the hypothesis is to organize data in accordance to individual relevance. For the first hypothesis, one ought to check the environment. Do the other houses in the neighborhood show evidence of a black out? Are there any lit porches? If so then the hypothesis of a blackout in the area can be dismissed. The second hypothesis to be tested is whether the problem is localized. This can be tested by trying to access other light sources to see if they are in proper working condition. This will help in dismissing or accepting the second hypothesis. The third hypothesis can be tested by checking to see any evidence of a home invasion. This can be by observing the outlay of the house to check if there has been any disorganization. After analysis of this data, one should then check which observations support the hypotheses made. The hypothesis with the most evidence supporting it should be regarded and used for further research (Shuttleworth, 2008).

From the hypothesis chosen, one must then form a conclusion. The conclusion in this case is the next cause of action. From the observations made, the next cause of action should be with regard to safety and caution. The results of the decision made will be evidence of the practical nature of the model.

Scenario 2

When dealing with the family business one is often faced with problems that require the use of a proper decision-making model. For instance, the business may be experiencing a decline in the net profit. How would the scientific method be of help?

The first step to addressing this dilemma would be to identify the problem. A decline in the net profit of a business would be either an increase in the costs incurred or a decrease in revenue earned. A research into the financial records of the business should provide the necessary details. Once either is identified as the cause of the loss then, proper hypotheses must be formed. For example, the company may be using resources that it can no longer afford. The company may be losing sales volumes to competing firms. Other hypotheses would be that the company needs t expand its revenue earning activities or downsize to minimize costs. The next step would be to carry out experiments to test the hypotheses passed. Concerning its revenue-earnings, the business may choose to conduct an audit to determine if the earnings made by the ventures are reflected in the financial books. This could clear all doubts regarding the transparency of the managers. The administration may also look into the nature of the ventures and establish if they are a going concern. When testing the hypotheses on cost the managers may choose to evaluate the firm’s liabilities. They must establish if these liabilities outweigh the company’s potential to pay them.

After the tests have been conducted, the results must be analyzed for conclusions to be drawn. In this scenario, there may be more than one hypothesis that can be correct. Therefore, one should not expect to adjust the hypotheses as even when they are incomparable to the result they are still part of scientific evidence. The hypothesis that best fits the results of the tests should then be used to come up with resolutions. At the end of the research, the business will have its problem, set of reasons for them, and the solution to the main problem. The other hypotheses give an insight to the company’s status and possible threats to its continuity. They could be used as research data in the future. An advantage of the use of this scientific method in this scenario is that it can be used to compile a report for use by investors as well as the present and future managers of the firm.

References

Blakstad, O. (2012). Scientific Method. Explorable.com. Retrieved from: https://explorable.com/scientific-method

Shuttleworth, M. (2012). Research Hypothesis. Explorable.com. Retrieved from:  https://explorable.com/research-hypothesis