Contrary to popular belief, when scientists use the word "theory", they are not referring to conjectures that they have pulled out of thin air and have no data to support such claims. The scientific use of the word "theory" is much different than the colloquial use.
In science, a theory refers to an integrated set of principles that explain and predict events that are observed in the natural world. Theories, in the scientific sense, summarize and explain facts, and imply testable predictions that allow for the falsification of the theory. Theory is vital to scientific endeavour, as it generates hypotheses to be tested, gives direction to research (and even suggests new areas for research), and, if the theory is good, has a high amount of explanatory power without requiring extensive modification to the theory. Theory without data is just conjecture, but data without a theoretical explanation is as good as meaningless to scientific practice.
In science, a theory refers to an integrated set of principles that explain and predict events that are observed in the natural world. Theories, in the scientific sense, summarize and explain facts, and imply testable predictions that allow for the falsification of the theory. Theory is vital to scientific endeavour, as it generates hypotheses to be tested, gives direction to research (and even suggests new areas for research), and, if the theory is good, has a high amount of explanatory power without requiring extensive modification to the theory. Theory without data is just conjecture, but data without a theoretical explanation is as good as meaningless to scientific practice.
An example of a scientific theory that is often mistaken as just a "theory" is the theory of evolution. Contrary to common misconceptions, evolutionary biology is one of the most prolific fields in science, with hundreds of thousands of peer-reviewed papers attesting to the theory's veracity, and an ever-increasing body of research.
Other examples include general relativity (yes, gravity is technically "only" a theory), special relativity, atomic theory (yes, atoms are "only" a theory too), and germ theory (the theory that small microscopic organisms are the cause of many illnesses).
Other examples include general relativity (yes, gravity is technically "only" a theory), special relativity, atomic theory (yes, atoms are "only" a theory too), and germ theory (the theory that small microscopic organisms are the cause of many illnesses).
by Amygdala May 5, 2011
Dude, did you hear about those new DEEPFAKES videos?
Yeah, they have one of Scarlett Johannson doing it!
No way! Wait where might I be able to find these aforementioned videos? What no, it's not for me, obviously, it's... for scientific purposes.
Yeah, they have one of Scarlett Johannson doing it!
No way! Wait where might I be able to find these aforementioned videos? What no, it's not for me, obviously, it's... for scientific purposes.
by Funghuy June 18, 2018
Let's circulate rumours saying it's been scientifically proven that bobbittizing one's self leads to better sex.
by ragamuffin318 November 1, 2009
A 2 step process of learning and understanding about the world.
I order to begin the process you need a question.
Once you have answers to seek begin the process.
Step 1: fuck around
Step 2: find out
Repeat as many times as necessary.
I order to begin the process you need a question.
Once you have answers to seek begin the process.
Step 1: fuck around
Step 2: find out
Repeat as many times as necessary.
"hey man, do you think the boys are gonna be on Playstation tonight?"
"only way to know is to use the scientific method."
"only way to know is to use the scientific method."
by TheboysinCS October 3, 2020
A method for gathering data about the world around us. Using the scientific method involves coming up with a hypothesis about how something works, and then trying as hard as you can to prove it wrong. If you can't prove yourself wrong then you cannot say you proved yourself right. you can only say you didn't disprove your hypothesis. In the scientific method you can never prove yourself right, you can only prove you weren't wrong. This is often seen as a tedious and annoying aspect of science by outsiders, but in fact scientific minded individuals gain great joy in being skeptical of everything. If you cannot diprove your hypothesis than it is usually phrased something like "The data supported our hypothesis." This is generally followed by a detailed explanation of everything that could have been wrong with your research that could have led to a failure to disprove yourself. Through this method something can become considered a theory only if many many generations of scientists have failed to find any way to prove the hypothesis wrong. This is a considerable accomplishment as most scientists will spend their entire lives finding critiques in method or theory in the research of others, and trying to find a way to disprove their findings. Information acquired in this way is the only information that can be trusted to have any semblance of truth.
Did you hear about how video games make children violent?
Was the scientific method used to reach this conclusion?
Hey a recent study found that fake sweetener can give you cancer.
That study was never replicated.
Evolution is just a theory.
If by theory you mean a conclusion that genarations of researchers have failed to find any way to disprove in hundreds of years time then yes it is.
Was the scientific method used to reach this conclusion?
Hey a recent study found that fake sweetener can give you cancer.
That study was never replicated.
Evolution is just a theory.
If by theory you mean a conclusion that genarations of researchers have failed to find any way to disprove in hundreds of years time then yes it is.
by pandorlla May 27, 2010
When someone always randomly yells out the answers to questions during science class as if they have tourettes...only for scientific stuff.
Teacher: Now class, the most common way for an organism to-
Micah: -Flagella!
Alana and Caroline: Man, Micah has scientific tourettes!
Micah: -Flagella!
Alana and Caroline: Man, Micah has scientific tourettes!
by Vanna White, Alogna, & G~Nut March 27, 2010
In a rude act while three young lads partake in a classified scientific experiment when they insert the three penises into the lassies front orifice in a triangle formation.
Hey there Scooter, gather your lab coat, call up Calvert and let’s perform this fucking Scientific Billy!
by Vince Sasso June 30, 2022