Identify the features of scientific method from the following list. A. Clearly…
2020
Identify the features of scientific method from the following list.
A. Clearly defined variables and procedures
B. Empirically verifiable hypotheses
C. Little or no scope for self correction
D. Linguistic justification of conclusions
E. Ability to rule out rival hypotheses
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A.
A, B and E only
- B.
B, C and D only
- C.
C, D and E only
- D.
B, D and E only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The scientific method is judged against a fixed set of criteria: it uses precisely defined (operationalised) variables and procedures, states hypotheses that can be empirically tested, stays open to revising its conclusions as new evidence arrives (self-correction), and designs tests that can rule out competing explanations rather than arguing for a view in words alone.
Checking each statement in the list against these criteria:
Statement | Genuine feature of the scientific method? |
|---|---|
A. Clearly defined variables and procedures | Yes - operational clarity lets a hypothesis be tested precisely. |
B. Empirically verifiable hypotheses | Yes - a scientific hypothesis must be testable against observation or data. |
C. Little or no scope for self correction | No - the method is marked by ongoing revision through replication and peer scrutiny, not resistance to correction. |
D. Linguistic justification of conclusions | No - conclusions are justified by empirical evidence, not by how an argument is worded. |
E. Ability to rule out rival hypotheses | Yes - a valid method must design tests that can exclude competing explanations. |
So the statements that genuinely describe the scientific method are the ones on clearly defined variables and procedures, empirically verifiable hypotheses, and ruling out rival hypotheses.
The combination "B, C and D" is wrong because it drops the operational-definition criterion and keeps two ideas - resistance to correction and linguistic justification - that misdescribe the method.
The combination "C, D and E" is wrong because it drops the empirically-verifiable-hypothesis criterion and again keeps the same two flawed ideas.
The combination "B, D and E" is wrong because it keeps the linguistic-justification claim, which is not a genuine criterion of the scientific method.