Scientific method and sources of knowledge – UGC NET Question

In this question, statements A, C, E and F correctly describe the scientific method, while B and D are wrong. Statement A is true because systematic observation and logical reasoning are central to scientific inquiry. Statement C correctly identifies hypothesising, testing and verification as typical steps, and statement E is right that objectivity and replicability are crucial. Statement F is also true since scientific principles can be adapted within qualitative frameworks, whereas B is false because empirical evidence is fundamental and D is false as intuition alone cannot constitute scientific research.

Option A:
Option A treats B as the only wrong statement and ignores D. While B is indeed false because the scientific method depends on empirical evidence, D is also incorrect since relying solely on intuition contradicts scientific rigour. By missing one of the wrong statements, this option does not fully answer the question.

Option B:
Option B correctly identifies both B and D as wrong statements and does not misclassify any of the true statements. It recognises that rejecting empirical evidence and relying only on intuition are both incompatible with the scientific method. Because it captures the full set of wrong statements and excludes the correct ones, this option is the right answer.

Option C:
Option C marks only D as wrong and overlooks B. Although D is clearly false, B is equally incorrect because scientific research requires empirical data. Since this combination fails to include all the wrong statements, it cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D wrongly includes statement C among the wrong statements along with B and D. Statement C is actually a correct description of typical steps in the scientific method. By misclassifying a correct statement as wrong, this option becomes logically inconsistent.