The Discipline of the Scientific Method
The scientific method is a guide to mental activity stages. However, it also serves the purpose of being a discipline for those following it. It keeps them on the right track, trains them not to ignore contrary evidence, encourages them to be ethical, seek creative solutions, to test, etc. Thus, it lives up to its reputation of being a self-correcting method. Often people think that the requirement that the hypothesis be tested is its self-correcting feature, but this is only one of them. Researchers are always under pressure to produce results, finish on time, and be first. Human nature being what it is, you get better research if the discipline of the scientific method is enforced. Universities supervising the research and government agencies awarding grants should, as part of their responsibilities, be sure that researchers are following the discipline of the scientific method.
