This volume is a logical sequel of Volume I, The Search for System: indeed, it concerns the ways theoretical systems are put to work and subjected to test. Yet it can be read independently by anyone familiar with some factual theories, referring back to Volume I when necessary. Special Symbols AS;B the set A is included in the set B AvB the union of the sets A and B AnB the common part of the sets A and B aEB the individual a is in (or belongs to) the set A Card (A) cardinality (numerosity) of the set A AxB Cartesian product of the sets A and B en(A) consequence(s) of the set A of assumptions equals by definition =dt definition Dt· some x (or there is at least one x such that) (3 x) e empirical datum e* translation of e into a semiempirical, semitheoreticallanguage h hypothesis m(r) measured value of the degree r m(;) average (or mean) value of a set of measured values of, ; P-jT T presupposes P p, q arbitrary (unspecified) propositions (statements) P(x) x has the property P (or x is a P) {xl P(x)} set of the x such that every x is a P pVq p and/or q (inclusive disjunction) p & q p and q (conjunction) p-+q if p, then q (conditional or implication) p if and only if q (biconditional or equivalence) p-q sum over i 2:; t theorem, testable consequence.

As the gateway to scientific thinking, an understanding of the scientific method is essential for success and productivity in science. This book is the first synthesis of the practice and the philosophy of the scientific method. It will enable scientists to be better scientists by offering them a deeper understanding of the underpinnings of the scientific method, thereby leading to more productive research and experimentation. It will also give scientists a more accurate perspective on the rationality of the scientific approach and its role in society. Beginning with a discussion of today's 'science wars' and science's presuppositions, the book then explores deductive and inductive logic, probability, statistics, and parsimony, and concludes with an examination of science's powers and limits, and a look at science education. Topics relevant to a variety of disciplines are treated, and clarifying figures, case studies, and chapter summaries enhance the pedagogy. This adeptly executed, comprehensive, yet pragmatic work yields a new synergy suitable for scientists and instructors, and graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

What is it to be scientific? Is there such a thing as scientific method? And if so, how might such methods be justified? Robert Nola and Howard Sankey seek to provide answers to these fundamental questions in their exploration of the major recent theories of scientific method. Although for many scientists their understanding of method is something they just pick up in the course of being trained, Nola and Sankey argue that it is possible to be explicit about what this tacit understanding of method is, rather than leave it as some unfathomable mystery. They robustly defend the idea that there is such a thing as scientific method and show how this might be legitimated. This book begins with the question of what methodology might mean and explores the notions of values, rules and principles, before investigating how methodologists have sought to show that our scientific methods are rational. Part 2 of this book sets out some principles of inductive method and examines its alternatives including abduction, IBE, and hypothetico-deductivism. Part 3 introduces probabilistic modes of reasoning, particularly Bayesianism in its various guises, and shows how it is able to give an account of many of the values and rules of method. Part 4 considers the ideas of philosophers who have proposed distinctive theories of method such as Popper, Lakatos, Kuhn and Feyerabend and Part 5 continues this theme by considering philosophers who have proposed naturalised theories of method such as Quine, Laudan and Rescher. This book offers readers a comprehensive introduction to the idea of scientific method and a wide-ranging discussion of how historians of science, philosophers of science and scientists have grappled with the question over the last fifty years.

This is a detailed and data-based book showing you tried and tested methods that actually work to allow you to grow your investment portfolio, in good times and in bad. This book is not just about anecdotal ideas that occasionally work. The methods contained within this book have been tested over years of data and the results are shown. The book also contains the recipe for making that kind of data-based analysis yourself. No more costly guesswork... This is the last book on Technical Analysis you'll ever need. "Michael has shown empirical proof of the value of patterns in the markets. Anyone who has ever used an Excel sheet will definitely love this book, as well as for other reasons. This book is easy to endorse, and we should thank him for bringing this research to our attention." - Larry Pesavento, Trade What You See, Tucson, Arizona "To really understand the financial markets, it is my view that Technical Analysis has to be included in the picture. It has always been an important tool for me." - Lars Tvede, Zug, Switzerland "Super exciting reading if you are interested in investing, both for the beginner as well as for the experienced investor. The scientific approach to the development of an investment system is very fascinating and you feel a commitment beyond the usual by the author. No doubt that when a system has to be calculated with all possible variables in order to see the consequences of them, we have here to do with something that is most thoroughly tested. This applies to both the testing of movements and the choice of the asset to be invested in. Furthermore, the author's review of his emotions in connection with his ongoing development with the investments in the market is very relevant as it is often the biggest enemy of the investor. Further, the adding on methodology described in chapter 7 alone pays for this book" - Peter Henriksen, Mijas-Costa, Spain This book is not like any other books about Technical Analysis and about making money trading. Other books tend to feature more theories than data, are more anecdotal than fact-based and they often leave the readers with more questions than answers. In this book, several methods of trading are tested on real data over months and years, so you can really see what works and what doesn't work is not only performed on historical data. The methods are fully explained, and shown in detail. After reading this book, you will be able to test your own ideas.

Our earlier book, How We Know: An Exploration of the Scientific Process, was written to give some conception of what the scientific approach is like, how to recognize it, how to distinguish it from other approaches to understanding the world, and to give some feeling for the intellectual excitement and aesthetic satisfactions of science. These goals represented our concept of the term "scientific literacy." Though the book was written for the general reader, to our surprise and gratification it was also used as a text in about forty colleges, and some high schools, for courses in science for the non-scientist, in methodology of science for social and behavioral sciences, and in the philosophy of science. As a result we were encouraged to write a textbook with essentially the same purpose and basic approach, but at a level appropriate to college students. We have drawn up problems for those chapters that would benefit from them, described laboratory experiments that illustrate important points discussed in the text, and made suggestions for additional readings, term papers, and other projects. Throughout the book we have introduced a number of chapters and appendices that provide examples of the uses of quantitative thinking in the sciences: logic, math ematics, probability, statistics, and graphical representation.

Solve your problems faster & more efficiently! This illustrated book presents an easy-to-use guide using 14 ingredients to originate, solve, & challenge problems (& decisions) in all fields, including your personal life. Each ingredient is explained & suggests the methods to use under them. While the method (little known because of controversies in the educational field that interfered with its development) is called THE GENERAL PATTERN OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD (SM-14), it is not just for scientists--it is the basic way knowledge is refined & extended in all fields of endeavor. There are examples of how each ingredient was used for great discoveries & its application in choosing a career. You will find sound advice on how to prepare a self-development program & learn how to learn. To increase your innovation & creativity, there are cartoons illustrating how to be more productive in finding & originating ideas. This book will enable you to attain real world smarts & become happier & more successful! Order from Norman W. Edmund, 407 NE 3rd Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. 305/525-7327; FAX 305/525-7459.