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The view that scientific theories are tools or instruments for predicting observational phenomena, rather than true or false descriptions of the world.

A method of reasoning in which the premises are viewed as supplying some evidence, but not full assurance, of the truth of the conclusion.

An explanation model in science in which a general law or principle is applied to a particular instance to deduce an outcome.

A framework for scientific inquiry that includes making hypotheses and deriving predictions to be tested.

The position that the goal of science is to develop true explanations of the natural world and that, when successful, scientific theories accurately describe reality.

The idea that evidence available to us at a given time may be insufficient to determine what beliefs we should hold in response to it.

A property of a hypothesis or theory whereby it can be subjected to empirical tests to determine its validity.

The view that all observations are affected by the theories and beliefs that the observer holds.

The process of drawing a conclusion about a causal connection based on the conditions of the occurrence of an effect.

The cumulative growth of a system of knowledge over time, in which new information is used to refine, expand, or replace prior understandings.

The belief that just because something is 'natural' it is therefore valid, justified, inevitable, or ideal.

A form of inference which goes from an observation to a theory which accounts for the observation, ideally seeking to find the simplest and most likely explanation.

The idea that systems and their properties should be viewed as wholes, not just as a collection of parts.

The ability of a hypothesis or theory to effectively explain the subject matter it pertains to.

An approach to science that assumes all observable phenomena can be explained by natural causes and laws without recourse to supernatural or mysterious explanations.

The ability for a theory to be proven false by an experiment or observation.

The principle that evidence from independent, unrelated sources can converge to strong conclusions.

A fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline.

The view that knowledge arises from sensory experiences and emphasizes the role of empirical evidence in the formation of ideas.

The principle that states when confronted with multiple possible explanations for a phenomenon, one should select the simplest one with the least speculative elements.

The set of practices that define a scientific discipline at any particular period of time.

The principle that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.

The epistemological position that reason is the primary or most superior source of knowledge about reality.

A logical process in which a conclusion is based on the concordance of multiple premises that are generally assumed to be true.