Abstract
The ‘scientific method’ may be defined as a time-tested broad pattern of problem solving which gives efficient results. Many individuals such as John Dewey, have claimed that the scientific method can be used for all problem solving. Others argue that there are many types of problems for which the scientific method cannot be used, particularly for complex human relationships such as those found in politics and sociology. This paper will follow the thesis that the scientific method may generally be applied to all types of problems; and that where the method appears inapplicable it appears thus because of application of the wrong pattern of the scientific method’s triad of patterns of problem solving.
First published in Proceeding of the American Society of Civil Engineers 95 No. PP1 (1969), 47–53.
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© 1969 The American Society of Civil Engineers
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Mantell, M.I. (1969). Scientific Method — A Triad. In: Rapp, F. (eds) Contributions to a Philosophy of Technology. Theory and Decision Library, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2182-1_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2182-1_10
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