The Method to the Medicine
- Jackie Lochridge
- Dec 31
- 2 min read
What is the Scientific Method?
You may not remember the science classes you took in school, but those classes probably introduced you to the scientific method. If you entered a science fair, you almost certainly used the scientific method to formulate a question and hypothesis, design experiments to test the hypothesis, and reach conclusions about your question. In those early learning contexts, the scientific method is straightforward and easy to follow.
In more advanced scientific realms, such as medical research, it's not always possible to follow the simplest version of the scientific method. Even so, thorough and accurate research can be conducted using a systematic approach similar to what you may have used to prepare for your first science fair.
How is the Scientific Method Used in Medicine?
The scientific method is applied in medical research just as it was in those science classes. Take a new medication for example: the molecule binds to a receptor in the lab, so the the hypothesis is that it will bind in vivo and improve the targeted health condition (e.g. pain). Before researchers can test that hypothesis, they must ensure the drug is safe to give to humans, establish a dose range, and determine how the drug is processed and what the effects are on the human body (Phase 1 clinical trials). Once that information has been obtained, the hypothesis can be tested using people who have the condition the drug should help (Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials).
Why is the Scientific Method Important?
Answering life's questions using the scientific method ensures proper planning to avoid incorrect or misleading conclusions, and that consideration has been given to factors that could confound the testing or conclusions. In the example of a new drug, study design almost always uses a placebo (a.k.a. sugar pill) to ensure that the new drug is having an effect that wouldn't be seen otherwise. Clinical trial also generally involve blinding so neither the participants nor the doctors administering the study drug or placebo know if they are receiving or giving drug or placebo.
In addition to finding new medicines and vaccines, the scientific method is used in all branches of science to search for better understanding of the natural world. The scientific method can also be employed to investigate public health and communicable diseases. While the scientific method creates solid conclusions, new testing methods and technologies can prove those conclusions wrong, so it is important to continually complete the cycle of questioning, testing, and drawing conclusions.
References
Science Buddies. Steps of the Scientific Method. Science Buddies. Published 2012. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/steps-of-the-scientific-method
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The Scientific Method in Vaccine History. cpp-hov.netlify.app. https://historyofvaccines.org/vaccines-101/how-are-vaccines-made/scientific-method-vaccine-history
Aydemir D, Ulusu NN. Identifying and Solving Scientific Problems in the medicine: Key to Become a Competent Scientist. Turkish Journal of Biochemistry. 2020;45(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.1515/tjb-2018-0357
Mathews JD. Scientific Method in Epidemiology and Research in Community Health. Community Health Studies. 2010;1(1):26-30. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-6405.1977.tb00641.x
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