The scientific method, Karl Popper told us, is conjecture-refutation. We come up with a hypothesis we believe explains what is going on, figure out a way to put it to a test, and see what reality has to say about it. If the facts prove consistent with the hypothesis, we breathe a sigh of relief and maybe write it all up for publication, including in the narrative as many relevant details as possible so other scientists can verify if hypothesis testing and data interpretation, among other things, were done correctly. It’s a different story if the facts prove inconsistent with the hypothesis. If we’re lucky, minor adjustments may be enough to allow another experimental try. But if refutation is conclusive, the hypothesis needs to be junked altogether. The honest thing to do at that point is to admit defeat and go away to mull things over. Denying reality is something science abhors. Falsifying test results will get you booted out of the profession -- unless you’re...(Read Full Article)