Understanding Scientific Inquiry

Authors

  • Peter J. Veazie University of Rochester, Rochester New York, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23756/sp.v6i2.437

Keywords:

Erotetics, research questions, research philosophy

Abstract

Science is a process of inquiry: a process of asking and answering questions.  However, a good question is more than an interrogatory, and a good answer is more than information: there are logical constraints that dictate when a question is answerable and what qualifies as an answer.  This paper will provide an understanding of (1) when a question is answerable, (2) when a question is not ready to be asked, (3) when a question is trivial, (4) what is required for a response to be an answer, and (5) what sequence of inquiry is required to identify an answer.  Equipped with this understanding, a scientist can better determine an appropriate sequence of study for a research program as well as identify the necessary arguments to warrant claims of understanding, funding, and the publication of research findings.

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References

RESCHER, N. 2000. Inquiry dynamics, New Brunswick, N.J., Transaction Publishers.

SCHA, R. J. H. 1983. Logical Foundations for Question Answering, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Philips Research Laboratories.

WIŚNIEWSKI, A. 1995. The posing of questions : logical foundations of erotetic inferences, Dordrecht ; Boston, Kluwer Academic Publishers.

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Published

2018-12-31

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Volume 6 Issue 2 2018

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