Scientific Thinking provides comprehensive coverage of such topics as inductive reasoning, confirmation, demarcation, sampling, correlations, causality, hypotheses, experimental methods, and the role of values in science. Drawing examples from both the history of science and more modern scientific work, the book helps readers recognize the ongoing importance of developing good habits of scientific thinking. Questions and exercises are interspersed to encourage active reflection and engagement with new concepts and key cases as they arise in the book.
Comments
“Scientific Thinking is a highly accessible, intuitively organized introduction to scientific reasoning, scientific methods, and the philosophy of science. While it focuses on concepts essential for interpreting and evaluating scientific research, it also weaves in substantive discussion of central issues in the philosophy of science. As a result, readers will not only refine their ability to understand and assess scientific work but also think more clearly and deeply about the nature of science, its objectivity, and its value.” — Nicholas Smith, Department of Academic Literacy and Linguistics, Borough of Manhattan Community College
“Scientific Thinking does something most textbooks avoid: it treats students as people who can handle genuine complexity. The writing is conversational without being breezy, and the arguments build carefully without ever feeling padded. For students in introductory science courses, especially those who come in skeptical or anxious, this book offers a real entry point into how scientific reasoning works, not a sanitized version of it. I’d use this without hesitation.” — Arunava Roy, Assistant Professor & Discipline Lead, Natural Sciences, College of Professional and Continuing Studies, University of Oklahoma
“This book offers an accessible and effective introduction to the scientific method. It’s written in a conversational tone that encourages readers to be active participants in the learning process. The diverse examples and stories do a great job of facilitating the translation of complex concepts, such as induction, causation, and explanation, into issues that impact students in their everyday lives.” — Alzbeta Hajkova, Philosophy Program, School of Humanities, University of West Georgia
