Which premise is at the foundation of the scientific method?
A) If a hypothesis is repeatedly tested and found incorrect, it must be abandoned.
B) Some hypotheses cannot be tested scientifically.
C) Beliefs that are plausible to many experts are assumed to be accurate.
D) The scientific method is founded on all of these.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The premise that if a hypothesis is repeatedly tested and found incorrect, it must be abandoned is at the foundation of the scientific method. This principle is known as falsifiability and is essential to the scientific method. Option B is incorrect because the scientific method is specifically designed to test hypotheses, so any hypothesis that cannot be tested scientifically is not considered part of the scientific method. Option C is also incorrect because scientific beliefs are not assumed to be accurate simply because they are plausible to experts; instead, they must be supported by evidence and subject to rigorous testing. Option D is incorrect because while the other premises are important considerations in the scientific method, only A accurately represents the foundational principle of the scientific method.

Which Premise Is at the Foundation of the Scientific Method