After making a series of observations of a certain phenomenon in a laboratory, a scientist develops a theory that explains the results and predicts new values for future observations. Another scientist makes a series of appropriate observations, but his results always contradict the predictions of the theory. What should the first scientist do?

Question

Colt Austin

Social Studies

26 December, 16:28

After making a series of observations of a certain phenomenon in a laboratory, a scientist develops a theory that explains the results and predicts new values for future observations. Another scientist makes a series of appropriate observations, but his results always contradict the predictions of the theory. What should the first scientist do?

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Answers (1)

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Boyd · Answer 1

The first scientist should attempt to modify his theory to bring it into accord with the new observations and if he cannot do so, discard his theory.

Explanation:

If a theory has been already proven to be true by an individual and if it still fails to deliver the same results when conducted by someone else with the same and conditions, the theory cannot be deemed to be valid. This is because one of the criteria for a theory to be valid is its applicability in any given circumstance similar to that the theory was proven to be true in.