8
research. S/he then tests the hypothesis by trying to falsify it. It is possible to falsify
a hypothesis, but it is not possible (in geology, usually) to prove a hypothesis. Take,
for example, the hypothesis that all ants have six legs. One cannot prove that is the
case because it is not possible to count the legs on every ant that is alive today and,
of course, the legs on every ant that was alive in the past. Now consider the hypothesis that all sheep are white. Observations are then made, and one single observation
of a black sheep falsifies the hypothesis. This then leads to the next, interesting
scientific question, “Why are some sheep are black?”
Fourth, this book will, hopefully, demonstrate the fact that geologic research,
like any other endeavor, has a human side. We all have our styles, strengths, weaknesses, and foibles. And, of course, we can all make mistakes. One fact that pleases
me, even though I have disagreed, sometimes strongly, with other scientists, is that
in 46 years of undertaking geologic research I have not come across a single case of
a fellow geologist being willfully misleading in his/her research activities. That is a
pretty strong statement and one that should give us all much comfort. It is very
important to point out, however, that this does not mean that we should not question
scientists’ research and conclusions. As I suggested in the Preface, we should all do
a little research, nowadays probably on the web (making careful judgements on the
veracity of sites we visit), and in doing so allow ourselves to make educated judgements on what to accept, what to question and what to reject. And our acceptance,
questioning and rejection should be based on data and not belief.
In summary, geologic research, often involving a significant field component,
can be exploratory and descriptive or it can be hypothesis-driven. Either way, science progresses. New scientific data can often answer a question and lead to one or
more new scientific questions. Scientists rarely have all of the answers. We are
always learning new things. It is understandable, therefore, when other professionals, such as environmental managers or policy makers, become frustrated by the
diffidence of scientists and their unwillingness to become dogmatic about whatever
topic is the subject of discussion. This apparent “changing of the mind” can lead to
accusations of “bad science” or even of scientists feathering their nests with grant
funds. All you need to do is look at how most geologists dress and the cars that we
drive and you’ll know that grant funds have not led to a life of luxury.
What is this book about? Well, it’s not about West Africa, not about 635 million
year-old shallow marine glacial deposits, and not about tiny fossils of snail shells.
But it is about how geologists conduct research and progress their science. More
specifically, it is about coastal geology and it is a sincere effort to communicate
what coastal geologists do and why they do it. It is an effort to explain the relevance
of what we do to the lives of people living in coastal communities, to the tourists
who visit our shores, to the people who manage our coastal economies and, indeed,
the relevance of our work to the well-being of national economies and, therefore,
the populations of entire countries.
The coast is the zone where the marine realm and the terrestrial realm intersect. It
is a dynamic place, one that is affected by climate change and where the processes of
sea-level rise and storm dynamics demonstrate the power of the ocean over the relatively long term and short term, respectively (Figs. 1.8, 1.9, and 1.10). But the coast,
S. J. Culver
research. S/he then tests the hypothesis by trying to falsify it. It is possible to falsify
a hypothesis, but it is not possible (in geology, usually) to prove a hypothesis. Take,
for example, the hypothesis that all ants have six legs. One cannot prove that is the
case because it is not possible to count the legs on every ant that is alive today and,
of course, the legs on every ant that was alive in the past. Now consider the hypothesis that all sheep are white. Observations are then made, and one single observation
of a black sheep falsifies the hypothesis. This then leads to the next, interesting
scientific question, “Why are some sheep are black?”
Fourth, this book will, hopefully, demonstrate the fact that geologic research,
like any other endeavor, has a human side. We all have our styles, strengths, weaknesses, and foibles. And, of course, we can all make mistakes. One fact that pleases
me, even though I have disagreed, sometimes strongly, with other scientists, is that
in 46 years of undertaking geologic research I have not come across a single case of
a fellow geologist being willfully misleading in his/her research activities. That is a
pretty strong statement and one that should give us all much comfort. It is very
important to point out, however, that this does not mean that we should not question
scientists’ research and conclusions. As I suggested in the Preface, we should all do
a little research, nowadays probably on the web (making careful judgements on the
veracity of sites we visit), and in doing so allow ourselves to make educated judgements on what to accept, what to question and what to reject. And our acceptance,
questioning and rejection should be based on data and not belief.
In summary, geologic research, often involving a significant field component,
can be exploratory and descriptive or it can be hypothesis-driven. Either way, science progresses. New scientific data can often answer a question and lead to one or
more new scientific questions. Scientists rarely have all of the answers. We are
always learning new things. It is understandable, therefore, when other professionals, such as environmental managers or policy makers, become frustrated by the
diffidence of scientists and their unwillingness to become dogmatic about whatever
topic is the subject of discussion. This apparent “changing of the mind” can lead to
accusations of “bad science” or even of scientists feathering their nests with grant
funds. All you need to do is look at how most geologists dress and the cars that we
drive and you’ll know that grant funds have not led to a life of luxury.
What is this book about? Well, it’s not about West Africa, not about 635 million
year-old shallow marine glacial deposits, and not about tiny fossils of snail shells.
But it is about how geologists conduct research and progress their science. More
specifically, it is about coastal geology and it is a sincere effort to communicate
what coastal geologists do and why they do it. It is an effort to explain the relevance
of what we do to the lives of people living in coastal communities, to the tourists
who visit our shores, to the people who manage our coastal economies and, indeed,
the relevance of our work to the well-being of national economies and, therefore,
the populations of entire countries.
The coast is the zone where the marine realm and the terrestrial realm intersect. It
is a dynamic place, one that is affected by climate change and where the processes of
sea-level rise and storm dynamics demonstrate the power of the ocean over the relatively long term and short term, respectively (Figs. 1.8, 1.9, and 1.10). But the coast,
S. J. Culver