Species and Scientific Correction

Theories are created to help scientists in explaining patterns of some given data, developing new questions that can be asked in the collection of new data.  The understanding of science in regard to the universe – planets movement and people’s behavior is based on the ability for good data collection.  People who are involved in collection and analysis of good data are held highly by scientists, while these scientists also regard highly others who were before them. Science is self-correcting in that experiments are   repeated by many scientists making it difficult for fictitious results to go on for a long time without being found out.  If scientists are interested in certain results, they repeat the experiments with data which has been availed and they may make some changes for testing other explanations for the finding (Markman, 2010).

It is not always true that science is self-correcting or that disproven theories can be corrected due to various reasons. To begin with, some findings that may correct previous results are not given as much interest or consideration as the original research. Secondly, there is a possibility that potential correction will be contested especially when they are considered to be negative. In addition, there is more frenzied competition for publishing space in prestigious journals so that new discoveries are given more attention while publishing corrective research is given less attention.  Therefore, self-correction is unintentionally undermined by human and institutional factors.

 Of the researchers are dishonest, they can be caught when their scientific experiments are repeated by other researchers.  In the lab scientist follow the specified methods instead of making their own adjustments. Following the scientific methods provides reliable results since the methods are evidence-based while any modification would results to unproven scientific conclusions (Comstock, 2013). 

 

Reference

Markman, A., (2010).Why science is self-correcting. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201008/why-science-is-self-correcting

 

Comstock, G. (2013). Research ethics: a philosophical guide to the responsible conduct of research. Cambridge University Press.44