Doing Science

Please note that this web-page title predates Ivan Valiela's book by the same name and has substantially different content.


Read Me First!

Explains the point of view and motivation of these files about "doing" science.


(Where) Should I Go to Graduate School?

Recruiting propaganda aimed at prospective graduate students in biological oceanography.


Science the Process

How the process of science, i.e., creating new knowledge, differs from its products, i.e., knowledge and technology.


Extinct and Living Approaches to Science

Find your beliefs and make sure that they are not in the cemetery of "isms."


Creating Hypotheses

Where theories and hypotheses come from; science's best kept secret.


Telling Good Hypotheses from Bad

Criteria for evaluating hypotheses.


An Example: Why Intelligent Design is a Scientifically Deficient Hypothesis

It cannot make any interesting, testable predictions.


Avoiding Common Pitfalls in the Practice of Science

How not to hit the nail exactly on the thumb.


Metaphors and Analogies

Comparisons that are sometimes useful in teaching how science works.


Terms of Reference

If your views and mine don't match, maybe my definitions are at fault.


Conclusions, Dos and Don'ts

An executive summary.


But it ain't over 'till the writing is done.

If it hasn't been written up, it hasn't been done. Here is some advice on:

Papers

Proposals

Reviews


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