Applications of the Scientific Method

Introduction 

The scientific method is an experimentation process that scientists use to explore observations and to get answers to pertinent questions. Scientists utilize the scientific method to come up with a more reliable, non-arbitrary, and consistent representation of the real world (Gower, 2012). The approach has four primary steps, namely, observation and description of the contentious issue, hypotheses formulation, prediction of the existence of other phenomena based on the hypothesis, and carrying out experimental tests to confirm or refute the hypotheses (Gower, 2012). For the current assignment, the research problem is whether electronic cars are more cost-effective as compared to conventional cars with internal combustion engines. The testable hypothesis is that electric cars are cheaper and more efficient compared to cars with internal combustion engines. 

The issue 

Compared to their regular counterparts, many electric vehicles are highly-priced. However, the popular argument has been that the cost for running and maintaining electric cars is generally lower, making them more cost-effective and efficient in the long run (Carrington, 2017). This has seen an increase in the popularity of this type of car, with the increasing demand seeing many manufacturers coming up with electric car models. According to a recent report, the increasing demand for electric vehicles will see them become cheaper than conventional cars by 2022 (Carrington, 2017). The main driving factor for this fall in price will be the reduced cost of batteries. The lower prices are expected to trigger a large-scale roll out of electric vehicles which many experts believe will come with cost-saving environmental benefits. Despite electric cars being subsidized in many countries, they remain relatively more expensive compared to traditional cars that use internal combustion engines (Shaffer, 2016). It is reported that electric cars make up only 1% of the share of new cars sold globally. Despite this grim revelation, industry pundits are confident that the long-term cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles, as opposed to the green revolution, will help cut down the prices of electric vehicles. But at the moment, whether electric cars are more cost-effective compared to conventional cars remains a debatable issue (Shaffer, 2016). 

The hypothesis 

Electric cars are more cost-effective and efficient in the long run compared to cars with internal combustion engines. 

Actions required to test the hypothesis 

To test the above hypothesis, the action required is an experiment. The experiment will make it possible for the researcher to tell whether the prediction put forward is accurate or not. For the current problem, the experiment will be quite capital-intensive. It will involve purchasing of two vehicles, one electric and the other one a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. The two vehicles will then be assigned to two participants the researcher will randomly recruit. The participants will be assigned the vehicle for their daily use and will have to record every other amount of money they spend on running and maintaining the two vehicles. They will have to do this for about three years after which the total maintenance and running costs for each of the vehicles will be added to the initial amount of money used to purchase them. This way, the researcher will be able to tell which vehicle is a cheaper alternative over three years. 

Evaluating the success of the program 

According to the scientific method, a hypothesis must be dismissed or modified if the experimental outcomes are inconsistent with the predictions. The current program will be deemed to be a success if the outcomes show that electric cars are actually more cost-effective compared to conventional vehicles. The researcher will also take into consideration the findings from similar studies. Findings that are consistent with the studies conducted by other researchers will be an indicator that a program is a success. Findings that are inconsistent with most of the previous studies will be an indicator that the previous researchers did not take into consideration some important factors or that the current study was marred by some errors. Testing for reliability and validity is another way through which the success of the program can be evaluated. Testing for validity and reliability allows the researcher to establish the extent to which the research tools and procedures are accurate. A reliability test will reveal the extent to which the assessment tool results in consistent and stable results. On the other hand, validity establishes how well a test measures the variables it is meant to measure. 

Additional steps that might be taken 

If the findings confirm that indeed electric cars are more cost-effective and efficient compared to conventional vehicles, then the final step would be to present the results to a larger audience and provide recommendations on what future studies should focus on. On the other hand, if the outcomes are contrary to the hypothesis, the researcher might have to modify the hypothesis and argue that conventional cars are more cost-effective compared to electric cars. Alternatively, the researcher will have to adopt a different research method. The contrary findings might be due to the utilization of a research approach that does not fit the current study or the utilization of variables that do not best capture the phenomenon under analysis hence the need to take an alternative approach. The findings might also reveal that electric cars are more cost-effective when it comes to environmental impact, an outcome that might require the researcher to modify the hypothesis. If this is the case, the modified hypothesis should read “electric cars are more environmentally efficient compared to conventional cars.” 

References 

Carrington, D. (2017, February 21). Electric cars “will be cheaper than conventional vehicles by 2022.” The Guardian . Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/25/electric-cars-will-be-cheaper-than-conventional-vehicles-by-2022 

Gower, B. (2012). Scientific Method: A Historical and Philosophical Introduction (1st ed.). New York: Routledge. 

Shaffer, L. (2016, June 14). Electric vehicles will soon be cheaper than regular cars because maintenance costs are lower, says Tony Seba. Sustainable Energy . Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/14/electric-vehicles-will-soon-be-cheaper-than-regular-cars-because-maintenance-costs-are-lower-says-tony-seba.html