How the Great Scientists Reasoned: The Scientific Method in Action

by Gary G. Tibbetts

The scientific method is one of the most basic and essential concepts across the sciences, ensuring that investigations are carried out with precision and thoroughness. The scientific method isatypically taught as a step-by-step approach, but real examples from history are not always given. This book teaches the basic modes of scientific thought, not by philosophical generalizations, but by illustrating in detail how great scientists from across the sciences solved problems using scientific reason. Examples include Christopher Columbus, Joseph Priestly, Antoine Lavoisier, Michael Faraday, Wilhelm RAntgen, Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and Niels Bohr. Written by a successful research physicist who has engaged in many studies and years of research, all in the attempt to extract the secrets of nature, this book captures the excitement and joy of research. The process of scientific discovery is as delightfully absorbing, as complex, and as profoundly human as falling in love. It can be a roller coaster ride of despairing valleys and exhilarating highs. This book sketches the powerful reasoning that led to many different discoveries, but also celebrates the ah-ha moments experienced by each scientist, letting readers share the thrilling instant when each scientist reached the critical revelation in his research.Places the scientific method in context using historical examplesSuitable for both scientists and non-scientists looking to better understand scientific reasoningWritten in an engaging style with clear illustrations and referencing"

Genres: Science

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kevin Kaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this is strange but the most enjoyable part of the book was the author's story telling and not his thesis statement (title). Usually the story of science, at least in prescribed textbooks, is taught by presenting supposed facts like X discovered this or invented that and Y and Z had some dispute over some prize/thing.

This book is different because the author provided the backstories over those discoveries. He showed, in review of related literature fashion, how X made new ideas from the works of his predecessors and his/her personal knacks (author's thesis statement). This provided a continuity in the story of science which made it significantly more interesting than the aforementioned method. This would no doubt be an excellent way to spice-up lectures and the interests of students.

Unfortunately some concepts and illustrations were difficult to imagine from the text alone and would require additional research (thank you youtube!). Interestingly, documentaries differ in their accounts and sometimes raised more questions than answered, driving you deeper into the topics.

In the end, the book felt rather short but none the less enjoyable.

[Gus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed that this book was short. There are so many things that could have been in it but weren't.

I love the thesis, "there's no such thing as the 'scientific method'" at least not in the sense that we teach to K-12 kids doing the science fair...