Solving Everyday Problems with the Scientific Method

The following sections are included:

• Dedication
• Preface to the Second Edition
• Preface to the First Edition
• Contents
• Claimers and Disclaimers

The father put down the newspaper. It had been raining for the last two hours. The rain finally stopped, and the sky looked clear. After all this raining, the negative ions in the atmosphere would have increased, and the air would feel fresh. The father suggested the family of four should go for a stroll. There was a park just about fifteen minutes walk from their house.

In the history of philosophical ideation, scientific discoveries, and engineering inventions, it has almost never happened that a single person (or a single group of people) has come up with an idea or a similar idea that no one has ever dreamed of earlier, or at the same time. This person may not be aware of the previous findings, nor someone else in another part of the world has comparable ideas, and thus – his idea may be very original, as far as he is concerned. However, history tells us that it is highly unlikely that no one has already come up with some related concepts.

Observation is the first step of the Scientific Method. However, it can infiltrate the whole scientific process – from the initial perception of a phenomenon, to proposing a solution, and right down to experimentation, where observation of the results is significant.

In scientific discipline, a hypothesis is a set of propositions set forth to explain the occurrence of certain phenomena. In daily language, a hypothesis can be interpreted as an assumption or guess. In this book, we employ both these definitions. Within the context of the first definition, we search for an explanation of why the problem occurs to begin with. Within the context of the second definition, we look for a plausible solution to the problem.

In scientific discipline, an experiment is a test under controlled conditions to investigate the validity of a hypothesis. In everyday language, experiment can be interpreted as a testing of an idea. In this book, we employ both these definitions. Within the context of the first definition, we attempt to confirm whether an explanation of an observation is correct. Within the context of the second definition, we check whether a proposed idea for a solution is valid.

Before we can solve any problem, we need to recognize that a problem exists in the first place. That may seem obvious, but while some problems stick out like thorns in a bush, others are hidden like plants in a forest. As such, not only do we need to tune up our observational skills to see that a problem does exist; we should also sharpen our thinking to anticipate that a problem may arise. Thus, recognition can be considered to be a combination of observing and hypothesizing.

For just about any situation, we can look at it from different perspectives. Take the example of a piece of rock, it will look different from the eyes of a landscaper, an architect, a geologist and an artist.

Once a problem has been defined, we need to find a solution. To determine which route we can take, we will have to take a look at the knowledge that we already have in hand, and we may want to search for more information when necessary. It is therefore, much more convenient if we already have an arsenal of tools that have been stored neatly and categorized in our mind. That simply means, that we should have been observing our surroundings, and preferably have come up with some general principles that can guide us in the present problem.

While there are various ways to view a problem situation, and thus define a problem differently, there are also different ways to solve a problem once it is defined. Some of the solutions may be better than others. If we have the option of not requiring to make a snap judgement, we should wait till we have come up with several plausible solutions, and then decide which one would be the best. How do we know which solution is the best? We will discuss that in the chapter on Probable Value. Generally speaking, we should train ourselves to come up with a few suggestions, and weigh the pros and cons of each resolution. This would be equivalent to coming up with different hypotheses, and judging which one would provide an optimal result.

Relation is the connection and association among different objects, events, and ideas. Problem solving, quite often, is connected with the ability to see the various relations among diversified concepts. Understanding the affiliation of a mixture of notions can be considered as hypothesizing the existence of certain correlation.

Mathematics, even some simple arithmetic, is so important in solving some of the everyday problems, that we think a whole chapter should be written on it.

For a certain problem, we may come up with several plausible solutions. Which path should we take? Each path would only have certain chance or probability of success in resolving the problem. If each path or solution has a different reward, we can define the probable value of each path to be the multiplication of the reward by the probability. We should, most likely, choose the path that has the highest probable value. (The term “probable value” is coined by us. The idea is appropriated from the term “expected value” in Statistics. In this sense, expected value can be considered as the sum of all probable values.).

We run into problems every day. Even when we do not encounter any problems, it does not mean that they do not exist. Sometimes, we wish we could be able to recognize them earlier. The scientific method of observation, hypothesis, and experiment can help us recognize, define, and solve our problems.

The following sections are included:

• Bibliography
• Index