Physical anthropologists derive knowledge through the scientific method.Physical anthropologists carefully and systematically observe the natural world around them. These observations form the basis for identifying problems, developing questions, and gathering evidence data that will help answer the questions and solve the problems, fill gaps in scientific knowledge about how the natural world operates. These data are used to test hypotheses, possible explanations for the processes under study. Scientists observe and then reject or accept these hypotheses. This process of determining whether ideas are right or wrong is called the scientific method. It is the foundation of science.
Science is more than just knowledge of the facts about the natural world. Science is a
way of acquiring knowledge—a way of knowing—through observation of natural
phenomena. This repeated acquisition results in an ever-expanding knowledge
base. In this way, science is empirical, or based on observation or
experience. After the systematic collection of observations, the scientist
develops a theory—an explanation, not just a description, of phenomena. A
theory is an explanation grounded in a great deal of evidence.A scientist
builds a case by identifying incontrovertible facts. To arrive at these facts,
the scientist examines and reexamines the evidence, putting it through many
tests.
The scientist thus employs observation,
documentation, and testing to generate hypotheses and, eventually, to construct
a theory based on those hypotheses. Hypotheses explain observations, predict
the results of future investigation, and can be refuted by new
evidence.
Scientists use these hypotheses to build theories. Theories
can be modified or even replaced by better theories, depending on findings made
through meticulous observation. As observations and hypotheses and
theories are tested and subjected to the test of time, science revises its own
errors.
If a theory proves absolutely true, it becomes a scientific
law. Among the few scientific laws, the well-known ones are the laws of
gravity, thermodynamics, and motion. But scientific truth seldom gets finalized
into law. Rather, truth is continuousy developed,new facts are discovered and
new understandings about natural phenomena are made.
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