Scientific Method
We have already discussed how life itself exemplifies the qualities that define a game. Each task (challenge) we take on has a specific goal (objective) to achieve within a given set of constraints (rules). The more complex the task we take on the harder it may become to determine how to achieve our goal within these constraints.
Over the years philosophers, researchers and scientist have developed various methods for best completing certain tasks. Methods are simply a prescribed process that defines "how" the a series of tasks, activities should be preformed based on the objective. The individual set of instructions to carry out each step in the process is called procedures.
Play: Battleship
đź“ťCritical Thinking | đź•’20 minutes | đź“‚Required File: none
This activity is designed to help students identify how the scientific method can be implemented in a game.
Discussion
How is the scientific method be applied to the game?
Scientific Method​
During the 16th century English philosopher Francis Bacon, concluded that only after observation, inductive reasoning and controlled experimentation, could scientific knowledge be obtained. Bacon's process of scientific inquiry would be refined into what we now call the scientific method.
The scientific method consists of six steps:
- Purpose/Problem: through observation one defines a problem or a purpose for investigation.
- Research: research on a specific topic is conducted to better understand the purpose/problem
- Hypotheses: a question or idea is proposed to solve or explain the purpose/problem
- Experiment: an experiment is conducted to test if the hypotheses was accurate
- Analysis: the outcomes of the experiment are assessed
- Conclusion: the results of the experiments are published
The scientific method while developed to help answer some of the major questions regarding science is not just regulated to the filed of science. The scientific method is used and can be used in a vast majority of applications.
Imagine that you awake one morning to find that the coffee maker is not making coffee. You first make an observation to define the problem as the coffee maker is not working. Next make a hypotheses, perhaps you did not plug it in? You test (experiment) this theory by checking the plug. You analysis the situation by confirming that the plug was indeed not plugged in. You plug it in and concluded that you should always check to make sure the coffee maker is plugged in before attempting to make coffee.
Iterative Process​
While the order of steps in scientific method is linear the entire process is considered iterative.
An iterative process meaning that the process is a cycle in which information is continuously revised. In the case of the scientific method, once a hypotheses is tested and data analyzed, new observations may warrant and new questions or type of experiment.
Creative Process and Scientific Method​
You might have heard the old adage about people being right brain or left brain dominate. I which if you are left brain dominate you are a more analytical or logical thinker, while if you are right brain dominate you are more of a creative or artistic thinker.
This idea that people who think logically are not creative and those who are creative do not follow logic has been proven many times over to be completely inaccurate. Despite that the scientific method is often associated with analytical thinking perhaps due to the bias that the field science is traditionally considered an analytical field. But the scientific method can be equally applied to creative applications as well.
Calligraphy artist and writer Joy Deneen wrote an article entitled "The Scientific Method for Creativity"" for creative design magazine Uppercase in 2021. In the article, Deneen, states that "artists and scientist are driven by inquiry", as such the scientific method can equally be applied to creative endeavors.
According to Deneen, just like with the scientific method, the creative process begins with a question, followed by research. The research explores other creative works for inspiration. The hypotheses in the creative process is referred to as the concept which often entails coming up with many different possible solutions to our question. Experimentation takes place by selecting the best concept and further refining it to a presentable state. This could be a rough sketch of drawing, a toile of dress, a mock up of a graphical layout, or even a prototype of a game. Afterwards is the critique which in the scientific method equates to analysis, reviewing if the experiment does in fact provide an adequate solution to the original question or of if revisions need to be made. Conclusion in the scientific method is where a final results are published, similarly in the creative process selected design is finalized and produced.
Deneen's full article on the "Scientific Method for Creativity" can be read on page 22 of issue #50 in Uppercase magazine or view it online here https://issuu.com/uppercaseyyc/docs/uppercase_50_issuu
The 5 Stages of Creativity​
While the creative process and the scientific method share many similarities, the creative process itself is often broken into stages.
In 1926, educator and psychologist, Graham Wallas introduced the 4 stages of creativity. Over the years others have elaborated on Wallas initial stages expanding it to 5 to 6 stages. The following lists the 5 stages of creativity.
- Preparation – you have to be in the right mindset to be creative
- Incubation – some ideas need time to fully form and may take years to develop
- Insight – the “aha” moment of how the idea comes together·
- Evaluation – testing the idea for feasibility
- Elaboration – bringing the idea to fruition
In many texts when describing the stages for creativity the term "creative process" is often used. However it is important to keep in mind that the stages are points in time while the process is the steps in the activity. The steps are typically broken out during the stages.
Cited References
- Deneen, J. (2021, June 21). Scientific method for creativity. Uppercase, (50), 22–23. https://issuu.com/uppercaseyyc/docs/uppercase_50_issuu
- Sawyer, R. K. (2006). Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.