Studying Scientific Discovery by Computer Simulation
- 2 December 1983
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 222 (4627) , 971-975
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.222.4627.971
Abstract
BACON is a computer program that simulates some of the important processes of scientific discovery. When provided with data about temperatures before and after two substances are brought into contact, the program infers the concept of specific heat and arrives at Black's law of temperature equilibrium. Comparison of BACON's discovery methods with historical records of Black's work casts light on the relation between data-driven and theory-driven discovery.Keywords
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