Scientific method fundamentals and application

Scientific Method and Climate Change

One of the predominant changes occurring in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has been the manner in which economic, political and cultural movements have evolved to bring the world closer. This paradigm, globalism, tells us that a number of actions in modern life are connected, regardless of the political unit or geographic location of a country. Globalism shows us, however, that there have been a number of trends occurring over the last century, at least, that involve the manner in which industrial activities in one region have a negative effect on other regions -- sometimes globally (Speth, ed., 2003).

How is it, though, that we can formulate both an argument or a way to validate claims made about global environmental issues? Of course, all research actions begin with a question since research is the process of answering unknowns. For research to be valid across all disciplines and over time, however, there must be an established way to formulate a hypothesis, collect data (experiment) and measure and report the results. This is called the scientific method, and refers to a way of investigating, testing, observing, analyzing, and then finding out whether the result confirm or deny the original proposal. The method consists of: a) formulating a question or hypothesis, b) designing an experiment or means of collecting data, c) observation or experimentation, d) analyzing the results and considering the proof or disproof of the hypotheses, and e) suggestions for future research (Cary, 2003).

Former Vice-President Al Gore and others have indicated that because of the Industrial Revolution and then rapid growth of the economy, the environment has been adversely affected, causing global warming. The basic hypothesis would be: in combination with the Earth's natural geologic functions, the process of globalization has radically changed earth's environment, causing global warming (Gore, 2006).

If we plan to use the scientific method to understand this hypothesis, our research plan would be thus:

Stage

Activity

Analysis

Issue

Average global temperatures have risen in the last several decades leading some to believe that pollution has caused global warming.

Global warming has effects on polar ice melt, weather patterns, agriculture, and sea levels.

Question / Hypothesis

In combination with the Earth's natural geologic functions, does globalization change the earth's environment, causing global warming?

We could further refine this by date range, specific type of environmental change, and/or the notion of overall climate patterns.

Design Experiment

Due to expertise and monetary resources, our experiment would be more of a comprehensive literature review of scientific studies.

Focus would be on peer-reviewed journals and books with scholarly bias.

Data Collection Stage

Using appropriate databases, find representative samples of current research on climate change.

Try to find arguments from both sides; also consider history of pollution, climate studies, etc.

Tabulate Data

Use appropriate data tables and measurements to identify and categorize studies.

Ensure that comparisons are like -- e.g. temperature changes over time measured in similar ways in similar locations. Verify data.

Conclusions

Analyze conclusions from a scholarly viewpoint.

Do we have enough data at present?