How thinking like a scientist can benefit anyone

This week is National Science Week – an annual celebration of science and technology.?Running each year in August, it features more than 1000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres – like Scitech in Perth, Western Australia.

I love all things science and have worked in science-related fields now for so long that I often take the scientific method for granted.?However, for many people the scientific process is an unattainable mystery – something for the brainiacs and boffins, but “not for me”.

This simply isn’t true.?We can all benefit from thinking more like a scientist, even if you’ve never studied science before in your life.

Embrace curiosity

Children are curious about everything.?It’s because everything is new and their brains are constantly soaking up information and learning. The most common question a child asks is “why?”. Sadly, many of us become less curious as we age and more fixed in our ways.?Scientists are typically more curious than the average person.?They’re driven to understand how and why things work. ?

Einstein is reported to have said, “I have no special talent.?I am only passionately curious”.?We can probably agree that Einstein was under selling his intellectual capabilities. However, everyone can benefit from being more curious.?Research shows that curious people are happier, being associated with higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety and greater satisfaction with life.?Curiosity can also expand our empathy and strengthen our relationships.?

Being curious is simply a matter of asking questions. For example, at Scitech we encourage our visitors to ask: Why? How does that work? What happens if…??

Be a critical thinker

Critical thinkers are always questioning the world around them, which is one of the most important traits of a scientist. It goes beyond curiosity. Critical thinking is deeper. It tests assumptions and biases. It requires us to consider the credibility of the information given to us.?What is the source??Are there more credible reasons for something?

This is incredibly important in today’s world where information is so easy to spread but difficult to verify or fact-check. Critical thinking is something that we can all practice. ?A simple approach is to ask “why?”, not once, but many times.?When you’ve got your first answer to your first “why?”, ask it again.?And then again.?As a rule of thumb, asking “why?” five times will lead you to a much deeper understanding.?

Why not take the next step and ask “why not?”, which can lead us to innovation.?Doing or creating something new can open our worlds to so many more possibilities.

Use evidence-based decision making

Scientific thinking is all about making decisions based on evidence. Essentially, this means that decisions are based on fact rather than gut feel or what you think, guess or assume.?Using evidence also means that you’re making your decisions without emotion, so you can think rationally and logically with a clear head. This can help you to make better-informed choices in any area of your life. This could include making better food choices, buying better products, or making better financial decisions.

It is ok to change your mind and also to be wrong

Scientist constantly develop new ideas and theories, and they love to test those theories.?They do this through observation and experimentation. After collecting their data, they re-examine their theory to make sure it still fits the facts. ?When it doesn’t, they revise their theory or come up with a new one.?

Many of us see it as an admission of failure or weakness when we change our mind or make mistakes.?Scientists thrive on it.?This part of the scientific process is critical because it helps to generate new knowledge and find new connections, and it can be applied in any walk of life.?Whether you’re a parent, manager or tradie, don’t be afraid to change your mind.?Test your ideas.?If the evidence suggests they’re not working, then learn from it, modify the idea and try again.

We can all think like scientists

Thinking like a scientist is beneficial in almost any aspect of life. ?It can help us to discover new things or ideas and challenge ourselves to look for the truth in everything. Even a little application of scientific thinking can lead to more flexible thinking about anything and everything you encounter.

During National Science Week, why not allow your inner scientist and curiosity guide you to ask, research and make discoveries to see the benefits it can bring you??