Method
What is method? How should it be defined?
One of the tasks of scientonomy is to explain how methods change through time. Thus, a proper definition of method is in order.
In the scientonomic context, this term was first used by Hakob Barseghyan in 2015. The term is currently accepted by Scientonomy community.
In Scientonomy, the accepted definition of the term is:
- A set of criteria for theory evaluation.
Contents
Broader History
Prehistory here
Scientonomic History
The original definition of the term was proposed by Barseghyan in 2015.1
Acceptance Record
Community | Accepted From | Acceptance Indicators | Still Accepted | Accepted Until | Rejection Indicators |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientonomy | 1 January 2016 | That's when the first scientonomic definition of the term, Method (Barseghyan-2015), became accepted, which is a indication that the topic itself is considered legitimate. | Yes |
All Theories
Theory | Formulation | Formulated In |
---|---|---|
Method (Barseghyan-2015) | A set of requirements for employment in theory assessment. | 2015 |
Method (Barseghyan-2018) | A set of criteria for theory evaluation. | 2018 |
Accepted Theories
Community | Theory | Accepted From | Accepted Until |
---|---|---|---|
Scientonomy | Method (Barseghyan-2015) | 1 January 2016 | 1 September 2019 |
Scientonomy | Method (Barseghyan-2018) | 1 September 2019 |
Suggested Modifications
Modification | Community | Date Suggested | Summary | Date Assessed | Verdict | Verdict Rationale |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sciento-2018-0005 | Scientonomy | 8 October 2018 | Accept the new definitions of method as a set of criteria for theory evaluation and methodology as a normative discipline that formulates the rules which ought to be employed in theory assessment. | 1 September 2019 | Accepted | The consensus concerning this modification emerged primarily off-line, following a series of discussions. It was noted that the new definition "does clarify the scientific understanding of methods as normative theories that can be both accepted and employed".c1 It was also highlighted that the consensus on this modification "has been manifested on several occasions, including the first scientonomy conference in May 2019 in Toronto, where several of the speakers treated the suggested definition of method as accepted".c2 Importantly, it was also agreed that the acceptance of "this definition will require a whole series of changes to other theories already accepted by the scientonomic community to accord with the new definitions, for example, the Methodology can shape Method theorem."c3 This raises an important workflow-related question: does this mean that the encyclopedia editors have the right to make the respective changes?c4 |
Current Definition
Currently, method is defined as a set of criteria for employment in theory assessment. Three different types of criteria have been identified so far: criteria of demarcation, criteria of acceptance, and criteria of compatibility. Methods should not be confused with openly professed methodologies, which prescribe how science ought to be done. Methods should also be differentiated from research techniques, which are used in theory construction and data gathering.
Open questions
•There is currently an open question regarding the status of technological knowledge in the mosaic, and whether they should be formulated as “accepted” or “useful” beliefs. (Sean Cohmer, 2015).
•In addition, we can ask how technological research tools relate to employed methods. Currently, according to the TSC, knowledge concerning technical tools takes the forms of accepted beliefs, of the kind “telescopes are useful tools for examining distant celestial bodies”. This in turn leads to the employment of telescopes as a method for examining celestial bodies. However, are there technological tools that are used independently of any method? (Paul Patton, 2016) One possibility might be the technique of brainstorming: we commonly use it as a research technique, but don’t seem to formulate it as a method. (Hakob Barseghyan, 2016)
In Scientonomy, the accepted definition of the term is Method (Barseghyan-2018).
Method (Barseghyan-2018) states: "A set of criteria for theory evaluation."
This definition of method is meant to encompass the criteria of evaluation of all types, regardless of their being explicit or implicit, and thus merge what was previously separated into two classes of elements - methods and methodologies.
Ontology
Existence
In Scientonomy, it is currently accepted that "There is such a thing as a method."
Subtypes
In Scientonomy, the accepted subtypes of Method are:
Supertypes
In Scientonomy, the following supertype of Method is currently accepted:
Associations
In Scientonomy, the following associations of Method are currently accepted:
- An acceptance criterion is always part of some method.
- A compatibility criterion is always part of some method.
- A demarcation criterion is always part of some method.
Disjointness
In Scientonomy, no classes are currently accepted as disjoint with Method.
Epistemic Stances Towards Methods
In Scientonomy, the accepted answers to the question can be summarized as follows:
- The stance of compatibility can be taken towards an epistemic element.
- The stance of norm employment can be taken towards a normative theory.
- The stances of theory acceptance, theory pursuit and theory use can be taken towards a theory.
If a question concerning the ontology of a method is missing, please add it here.
Dynamics
Mechanism of Scientific Inertia for Methods
In Scientonomy, the accepted answers to the question can be summarized as follows:
- An employed method remains employed unless replaced by other methods.
- An element of the mosaic remains in the mosaic unless replaced by other elements.
- An accepted theory remains accepted unless replaced by other theories.
Necessary Methods
In Scientonomy, the accepted answer to the question is:
- In order for the process of scientific change to be possible, the mosaic must necessarily contain at least one employed method.
If a question concerning the dynamics of a method is missing, please add it here.
Related Topics
This term is also related to the following topic(s):
References
- ^ Barseghyan, Hakob. (2015) The Laws of Scientific Change. Springer.