science 10 Commandments

...and where would we be without science?  Still huddled in our churches, fearful of every storm, every lightning strike and eclipse. 

10 COMMANDMENTS OF SCIENCE

1. Thou Shalt Ask a Measurable Question

• Ask a question whose potential answer can be stated in a way that others can measure. Any "who, what, when, where, why, how or how much" question is vallid, but it must ask for something quantifiable. Questions that ask for numbers are best.

2. Thou Shalt Write a Hypothesis

• A hypothesis is an educated guess that suggests an answer to the question. It is based on some kind of information the scientist already has. The best way to write a hypothesis is by creating an "if/then" statement. Example: "If eggs are kept 10 percent warmer than the mother usually keeps them in the nest, then they will hatch sooner than they do naturally."
• 3. Thou Shalt Do Research

• A scientist seeks to avoid mistakes by finding out how others have tried to answer the same or similar questions in the past. It helps to know what did or did not work for others. This research can be done at the library or on the Internet. It need not be exhaustive, but it should be thorough enough to tell the scientist that the hypothesis is reasonable.

4. Thou Shalt Experiment

• Create an experiment that will test the hypothesis. The experiment must conclude with clear, definite answers that can be related to others in terms of measurements. Example: "Seventy percent of the people interviewed said they would not vote for the candidate."

5. Thou Shalt Not Lie

• Report all results of the experiment. Even results that disprove the hypothesis are valid -- they show what did not work. Never lie, mislead or slant the results to make the experiment look better.

6. Thou Shalt Analyze the Data

• This is where you decide if the hypothesis was true or false. Either answer is considered a valid result. Draw whatever conclusions the evidence will support.

7. Thou Shalt Publish

• You must share your results with others, including the complete details of your experiment, so they can repeat it on their own. You might call this the Golden Rule of science: others must be able to do your experiment and get the same results.

8. Thou Shalt Form Another Hypothesis

• If the results were mixed or negative, a good scientist adjusts the hypothesis for further experimentation. Even if the results are positive, you should try another angle, a new hypothesis that can deepen understanding of the question.

9. Thou Shalt Take Criticism

• When others question your results or even refute them, as a scientist you welcome the opportunity to find the truth. Listen to others' questions, and read their critiques. This will help you learn to be a better scientist.

10. Thou Shalt Remain Skeptical

Skepticism is considered the mainstay of the scientific mind. Scientists doubt all claims until they can be proven. They even question their own findings, and will try disprove their own hypotheses.

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