Teaching Scientific Method

Teaching Secular Worldviews includes the teaching of Scientific Method alongside teaching Humanism and Atheism.

But how do teachers define what is meant by Scientific Method? James Williams (CV and Profile) of Sussex University wrote 'JUST HOW DOES SCIENCE WORK? THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND KS4 SCIENCE'

Abstract 
'The new programme of study for KS4 science has, as an underpinning approach, ‘how science works’ (HSW). This paper reports on some small scale research into trainee teachers’ understanding of the scientific method and definitions of key terms in science that relate to HSW. After a brief examination of aspects of the history and philosophy of science and approaches to the scientific method, the paper documents the results of a questionnaire put to 25 trainee secondary science teachers. Respondents were asked to provide an account of their understanding of the scientific method and definitions of terms such as facts, theory, law and hypothesis. Results from this research shows that there is no commonality of understanding of the scientific method and varying definitions of key terms that reveal misconceptions about the actual status of theories and Laws in science. The implication of this research is that a better approach to the teaching of HSW must be developed that includes agreed aspects of the scientific method and revised terminology that removes ambiguity from the definitions of key terms in science.'

James Williams wrote the book (pub. February 2011) How Science Works: Teaching and Learning in the Science Classroom.

Product Description This title introduces how science works, the way science is now taught in secondary schools, to all teachers - whether trainee, recently qualified or established. "How Science Works (HSW)" provides the opportunity for pupils not only to understand the facts of science, but also to develop as critical thinkers and to become creative problem-solvers. James Williams introduces HSW, looking at the background to this approach to teaching science and draws on the current curriculum to explore strategies for effectively introducing aspects of HSW into lessons across all the science disciplines. Each chapter includes reflective tasks to use individually or as part of group discussions, research tasks, further reading and associated web links.
About the Author James D. Williams is Lecturer in Science Education at the University of Sussex, UK.