Page 58 - Invited Paper Session (IPS) - Volume 1

IPS57 Eric Rancourt
3.2.1. The basic scientific approach
Application of the scientific approach means that a series of steps are
followed with discipline to ensure that rigour and defendable approaches are
used in statistical programs and in management practice. The steps of the
approach are summarized below:
1. Needs: A problem or issue is identified and requires data to be
examined/collected or a decision to be made;
2. Observation: Existing or passed data are analyzed, the literature and
previous approaches are studied, and available methods are
considered;
3. Hypotheses: Hypotheses are formulated and/or a design is elaborated
with the intent of testing a certain view;
4. Test / Do: A test is conducted on the first iteration, and possibly in more
than one, and then the approach is implemented;
5. Analysis: Results are studied and conclusions are drawn;
6. Communication: Findings are communicated to peers and open for
constructive criticism;
7. Iteration: The process is iterated after the test for subsequent tests or
for implementation.

Needs  Observation  Hypotheses  Test/Do  Communication

To enrich the scientific approach, the three values of the Branch are made
present in these steps as:
• Valid statistical inference is promoted and imbedded into step 3 when
formulating hypotheses and developing the design;
• Quality is sought at all steps but plays a more prominent role in step 4
where it is measured (or estimated);
• While rigour is implicit in the scientific approach, it is actively pursued
at each step.

3.2.3 An Enriched Scientific Approach
The scientific approach has always served the Methodology Branch well, but
to provide a broader perspective on needs, issues, methods and approaches,
a check point is added to consult in order to ensure that the rest of the
sequence is viable and appropriate. The sequence of steps is:
1. Needs: A problem or issue is identified and requires data or a decision;
2. Observation: Existing or past data are analyzed, the literature and
passed approaches are studied, and available methods are considered;

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