The scientific method.

The nature of the scientific method is controversial with claims that a single scientific method does not even exist. However the scientific method does exist. It is the building of logical and self consistent models to describe nature. The models are constrained by past observations and judged by their ability to correctly predict new observations and interesting phenomena. Observations do not prove models correct or falsify them but rather provide a means to rank models: models with more ability to predict observations are ranked higher. The observations must be carefully done and reproducible to minimize errors. They exist independent of the models but acquire their meaning from their context within a model. Model assumptions that do not lead to testable predictions are rejected as unnecessary. Both observations and models should be peer reviewed for error control. Consistency with observation and reason places constraints on all claims to knowledge including religious.