How Swedes were fooled by the book “Surrounded by Idiots”

Re:How Swedes were fooled by the book “Surrounded by Idiots” by coliveira on Thursday January 16, 2020 @11:08AM (#22065812)

To be a scientist is not enough to use the scientific method in isolation. Because modern science is much bigger than anyone can understand as an individual, it is an imperative requirement that you also articulate your findings to the scientific community as a way to prove/disprove your personal conclusions. In other words, the requirement for proper use of the scientific method in a modern society can only been accomplished through the scientific community. Now, you could in theory do this without a PhD, but your chances are minimal of even being able to start the discussion, so if you're really willing to do science the first meta-step is to prove yourself going through a PhD program.

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Re:How Swedes were fooled by the book “Surrounded by Idiots” by fastball on Thursday January 16, 2020 @01:19PM (#22067269)

Using the scientific method in isolation is enough to be a scientist. If I:

1. form a falsifiable hypothesis based on observation 2. come up with (reproducible) experiments in an attempt to confirm and (more importantly) falsify my hypothesis 3. accurately measure and analyze my experimental results 4. modify or throw out hypotheses where necessary 5. rinse repeat

I am a scientist. If I then make prescriptive statements / claims to people based on this science, it is of course imperative that I share my scientific methodology with whoever I am making these claims to. But I can do science on a desert island all alone.

  but your chances are minimal of even being able to start the discussion,

Could you expand on this a bit? I'm not sure I understand the point you are making here. Furthermore, getting a PhD does not "prove" you can do proper science, even in scientific disciplines, as has been made clear by the reproducibility crisis in academia.

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Re:How Swedes were fooled by the book “Surrounded by Idiots” by coliveira on Thursday January 16, 2020 @04:38PM (#22069244)

What you're saying is correct in theory, but in practice this process happens through the scientific debate, which is done (if we like it or not) through scientific publications and conferences. If you don't have a PhD you'll have a lot of trouble to participate on these scientific forums, because the community requires a minimum of proof that you're a serious researcher. This minimum requirement is nowadays a PhD in the area.

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