Re: paleonet Classic brevia on scientific methods

[Phil Novack-Gottshall <pnovackg@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks, Chris, for the recommendation.  I'm not familiar with this article and it sounds neat.

Phil

At 02:45 PM 1/3/2005, you wrote:

Phil,

Try Otto's 1947 paper on the sedimentation unit. You can distill out of it some rather interesting ideas about interpretation and synthesis - and the section of  "assignable causes of variation" is valuable in establishing a valid hierarchy of interpretation of natural phenomena. By extension you can add a cautionary note on the dangers of over interpreting data when to do so is not valid.

Otto, C.H. 1938. The sedimentation unit and its use in field sampling. J. Geol. 46: 569-582

Chris Baldwin

Phil Novack-Gottshall wrote:

Hi all,

In the spirit of new year's reflections, I'm seeking recommendations for your favorite papers on "the scientific method," and historical methods in particular.  I plan to use several in an introductory historical geology/geobiology course that includes many non-science-majors, and would prefer ones that are short, of a general nature, and a "classic".  Although the books (i.e., Popper, Kuhn) are also great, they'll be of less use to me currently.

Examples include:
Chamberlain, T.C. 1965 (reprinted from 1890).  The method of multiple working hypotheses.  Science 148: 754-759.

Platt, J.R.  1964.  Strong inference.  Science 146: 347-353.

Cleland, C.E.  2001.  Historical science, experimental science, and the scientific method.  Geology 27: 987-990.

Aside from the latter article, I have had a difficult time tracking down those that explicitly discuss historical methods (or that don't downright disparage them as unworthy of science, the "stamp-collector" mentality).  Any recommendations for these are especially encouraged.

Apologies for cross-posting.

Thanks,
Phil

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                       NOTE NEW CONTACT INFORMATION
  Phil Novack-Gottshall
  Assistant Professor                            pnovackg@westga.edu
  Department of Geosciences
  State University of West Georgia
  Carrollton, GA 30118-3100

  Phone: 678-839-4061
  Fax: 678-839-4071
                    Temporary website: www.duke.edu/~pn2
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