Beginner’s Guide to Scientific Method

by Stephen S. Carey

This is a concise, introductory book that provides an introduction to the sciences and scientific method. It is comprehensive, readable, non-technical, and challenging in its ideas. A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SCIENTIFIC METHOD requires students to use the scientific method to design experiments and assess their own results. The book is brief enough to be used as a supplementary text in a first course in any of the sciences, though comprehensive enough to be used as the primary text in a course in scientific reasoning.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Scientific Method, Nonfiction, School

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kopesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introductory textbook on scientific method. It is concise, yet quite powerful in lubricating your mental cog wheels. Of course, it is a starting book for anyone who desires a career In science, and should be regarded as such. Thus, it should serve as a jumping platform towards more explicit and powerful books detailing the scientific method.
All in all, an exquisite piece of work. Buy it if you can.

[Pietro Gambarotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this book to be a good introduction to the scientific method and a suitable tool for science didactics. Chapter 5 is about ways to establish causal links and could be a useful introduction for those who need a simple yet effective glimpse into how to use statistical inference in science.

One quick remark : I would have spent a few pages to explain how real common research is rarely a step-by-step method, but different steps frequently follow an unpredictable (and chaotic) order.

[d1gital · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Important knowledge. Wish there were more “beginners guide” with this style of exposure.

[Pepito Benegas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.

[Trinity Schwind]

Read for Keith Korcz Phil 201 course. How To Think About Weird Things

[Manikya Ramesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what I was looking for.. it tells about the basic principles of scientific method which no other book mentions about, in simple way.
Other books assume the reader is well versed about these principles and directly deal with practical methods. As a result they are hard to grasp and digest. Many researchers are compelled to do research without any understanding.
My suggestion is -
Build a solid foundation by reading this book first. Then read any other advanced Book in scientific research.