Introduction to the Scientific Method

Outline

This course should be construed as a question, plunging us into the spacetime dimensions in which that thing called science, imagined as a truth box, moves. Is it true? What is it?

Ignorance of the ride through ideas from here and there, from yesteryear, from yesterday and from today leads to disappointment and dogmas, some of which are very damaging. But above all, if we fail to take a walk through the forest of scientific ideas, we will miss out on the enjoyment of understanding where and why the trees and shrubs that make up that thing called science sprang up. All that we have been told about science are a few eternal, objective ideas fallen from the sky. Once again, we wonder, What is the scientific method?

Assessment Method

The grading will depend on attendance and participation in the classroom and the writing of assignments. The deadline is 4 December.

Lective hours

Remarks

Attendance via Zoom requires mandatory identification with a University-issued email address.

Recommended Reading

• N. Medinilla: "Introduction to Scientific Method".
• N. Medinilla: "Opaque Box Research".
• A. Chalmers: "What Is This Thing Called Science?". Open University Press, Hackett, 1999.

Timetable

• 02 October, 17:00-19:00
• 16 October, 17:00-19:00
• 23 October, 17:00-19:00
• 30 October, 17:00-19:00
• 13 November, 17:00-19:00

Lecture Theatre

• 6205

Virtual Classroom

• https://upm.zoom.us/j/87690426967

Tuition Language

English.