Scientific procedure to obtain data

Viewed from an historical point of view, it is clear that the scientific knowledge has been obtained and that therefore science has advanced in a series of fairly logical steps. On the other hand, counterparts to these steps are difficult to identify in the day-to-day professional activities of a scientist.The way in which science and in particular chemistry advances can be describes in terms of a series of cycles (see diagram below). Observations and data (and laws) lead to the proposal of theories that, in turn, suggest predictions which can be tested by designing new experiments, and the whole process starts all over again.