ISSUE184 [Dancing in the Dark] 第13次作业 by subtory

subtoryUID: 2298678

TOPIC: ISSUE184 - "It is a grave mistake to theorize before one has data."
WORDS: 589          TIME: 00:45:00          DATE: 2009-7-8 9:36:09

1、科学研究的一般方法：先收集数据，再建立理论。
     一些领域的现象极其复杂，很难直接建立理论，海洋科学、大气科学：North Atlantic Oscillation and El Nino
2、有时候很难获得数据
     数学领域
    理论物理中，思想实验：狭义相对论
3、先构建理论对获取数据有指导作用
    Neptune

Experiment and observation are essential in scientific research. It is a widely used method to make new discoveries by developing new theory after obtaining data. Thus it has been suggested that theorizing before one has data is a grave mistake. However, in many circumstances, experiment and observation are difficult to carry out and data are not available, and scientists have to theorize through hypothesizing and deduction to make the research advance forward.

In scientific research, experiment and observation are the main way leading to new discoveries. Scientists observe new phenomena and form new theory to explain the phenomena, which is a general method in scientific research. It is even impossible to theorize before having data in some disciplines. For example, in oceanography and meteorology, most phenomena are extremely complicated. If one has no data, it is impossible to form an integrated theory to explain the phenomena. Most great discovery in oceanography and meteorology such as North Atlantic Oscillation and El Nino were all first noticed by some particular and interesting phenomena, and then scientists continued accumulating related data. After analyzing enough data, laws behind the phenomena could be revealed and new theories were formed. Therefore, it is an effective way to make important discoveries through theorizing after having enough data.

However, scientists do not always have the chance to obtain enough data, and they have to theorize before they have data to make the research and their thoughts move forward. In this way, discoveries can be made as well. In most disciplines of mathematics, there are almost no data available, and mathematicians usually develop new theories on the basis of old theories. Even in physics, which pays special attention to experiment, there are also circumstances where some experiments are extremely difficult to carry out. Sometimes physicists develop new theories by deduction and reasonable hypothesizing. Sometimes they also employ "thought experiment", which is technically impossible and is carried out in the brain by imagination and logical reasoning. In thought experiment, new theories can be established without any real data obtained. For example, thought experiment contributed considerably to the development of special relativity by Einstein. The point is, as long as the hypothesis is reasonable or possible, and the deduction is logical and correct, new discoveries can be made without the help of any data.

Moreover, forming new theories can make the experiment and observation more effective. New theories can predict new phenomena, and then it can direct the experiment and observation to focus on the possible phenomena, which makes the experiment and observation much easier to find new phenomena. A classic example concerns the finding of the Neptune which is the eighth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. It was found by mathematical prediction, which calculated the possible position of the star, and observations focused on the right position at the right time, and then the Neptune was found. Besides, many classic experiments designed to prove proposed theories are also directed by the theories, such as the experiment of proving the existence of Electromagnetic waves and a series of experiments of proving general relativity. Therefore, theorizing in advance can largely facilitate experiment and observation.

In conclusion, theorizing after having data is an effective method in scientific research and is widely used. However, in many circumstances, obtaining data is extremely difficult, and theories can also be developed by hypothesis and deduction, which are also fruitful as long as the hypothesis is reasonable and the deduction is correct. Besides, theories can predict new phenomena, and experiments and observations guided by theories can find new phenomena more effectively.

lisa0702UID: 2646704

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吉子轩UID: 2623412

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1# subtory

virgo_zhang0910UID: 2380285

Experiment and observation are essential in scientific research. It is a widely used method to make new discoveries by developing new theory after obtaining data. Thus it has been suggested that theorizing before one has data is a grave mistake. However, in many circumstances, experiment and observation are difficult to carry out and data are not available, and scientists have to theorize through hypothesizing and deduction to make the research advance forward.

In scientific research, experiment and observation are the main way(ways) leading to new discoveries. Scientists observe new phenomena(phenomenon用复数好些吧？~) and form new theory to explain the phenomena(phenomenon), which is a general method in scientific research. It is even impossible to theorize before having data in some disciplines. For example, in oceanography and meteorology, most phenomena(phenomenon) are extremely complicated. If one has no data, it is impossible to form an integrated theory to explain the phenomena. Most great discovery in oceanography and meteorology such as North Atlantic Oscillation and El Nino were all first noticed by some particular and interesting phenomena(phenomenon), and then scientists continued accumulating related data. After analyzing enough data, laws behind the phenomena could be revealed and new theories were formed. Therefore, it is an effective way to make important discoveries through theorizing after having enough data.

However, scientists do not always have the chance to obtain enough data, and they have to theorize before they have data to make the research and their thoughts move forward. In this way, discoveries can be made as well. In most disciplines of mathematics, there are almost no data available, and mathematicians usually develop new theories on the basis of old theories. Even in physics, which pays special attention to experiment, there are also circumstances where some experiments are extremely difficult to carry out. Sometimes physicists develop new theories by deduction and reasonable hypothesizing. Sometimes they also employ "thought experiment", which is technically impossible and is carried out in the brain by imagination and logical reasoning. In thought experiment, new theories can be established without any real data obtained. For example, thought experiment contributed considerably to the development of special relativity by Einstein. The point is, as long as the hypothesis is reasonable or possible, and the deduction is logical and correct, new discoveries can be made without the help of any data.

Moreover, forming new theories can make the experiment and observation more effective. New theories can predict new phenomena, and then it can direct the experiment and observation to focus on the possible phenomena, which makes the experiment and observation much easier to find new phenomena. A classic example concerns the finding of the Neptune which is the eighth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. It was found by mathematical prediction, which calculated the possible position of the star, and observations focused on the right position at the right time, and then the Neptune was found. Besides, many classic experiments designed to prove proposed theories are also directed by the theories, such as the experiment of proving the existence of Electromagnetic waves and a series of experiments of proving general relativity. Therefore, theorizing in advance can largely facilitate experiment and observation.

In conclusion, theorizing after having data is an effective method in scientific research and is widely used. However, in many circumstances, obtaining data is extremely difficult, and theories can also be developed by hypothesis and deduction, which are also fruitful as long as the hypothesis is reasonable and the deduction is correct. Besides, theories can predict new phenomena, and experiments and observations guided by theories can find new phenomena more effectively.

对组长的敬佩如同滔滔江水连绵不断啊~呵呵~学习学习~找了些无关紧要的小错误~加油！还不知道组长能不能看到回复呢~