| Name |
Denotes stages, procedural theories and the system of science. |
| Purpose & Objective |
To obtain, refine, extend and apply knowledge through problem origination, prevention, solution and challenge of solution. Curiosity, a healthy skepticism, etc. finds the problem. |
| Division of Method |
The master method of all human knowledge methods. |
| Stages |
The general pattern of the major types of mental activity usually aided by physical actions. |
| Sequential |
There are 11 major stages that are sequential and progressive. These stages are arranged in order of usual use but may be followed with flexibly. |
| Repeatable |
Stages are so basic and repeatable that they are not likely to change. |
| Range |
Universal to all nature and human activity. |
| Reliability Factor |
Most reliable of all knowledge methods. |
| Application |
Usually follow techniques, procedural principles and theories, high personal attributes and thinking skills of the research communities. Flexibility or “anything goes” is often essential. |
In the Concept of Method, Justus Buchler (1985) refers to the common expression “the power of a method.” Every day you constantly use methods and this report will help you better use the power of a method to improve your problem solving ability.
Without method, we are left with chance. Chance is the opposite of method and we would have a very disorganized world without methods and techniques. But, what is “Method”? Unfortunately method is a very ambiguous word. It’s so ambiguous that it has been widely misused and misinterpreted in the fields of science and knowledge.
There is no better example of the power of a method than the results produced by the scientific method throughout the development of modern civilization. I did a search of the literature on the value of method. This is what various authors emphasize: