• Science is a provisional belief system.
• Science differs from other belief systems in that scientific knowledge is under a constant process of revision.
• Existing knowledge can be revised, reinforced, or wholly rejected based on the demonstration of observable, reproducible, evidence.

• By this definition knowledge which cannot be updated can not be scientific.
• This is known as the falsification principle.

• It is a philosophical model which allows our knowledge to be updated
• Paradigms can be challenged
• Over time should result in a better understanding of systems
• & therefore more effective interventions

• But it can’t tell us anything about the morality of the interventions

• Four steps: Plan – Do – Check – Act
• The Deming cycle is based on the scientific method in which:
  • Plan – Do – Check =
    Hypothesis – Experiment – Evaluation

• Check phase: examine effectiveness of intervention
  • This is called:
    Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E)
• Act phase: separates out academics from implementers

Cycles outline how to operationalise a project

• Academic settings the approach normally revolves around research projects not project delivery
• Research projects apply the scientific method in order to test a set of hypotheses,
  • so long as the research results in a conclusion it is successful.

• In project delivery success is dependent a specific outcome occurring.
• There is a contractual obligation for certain outcomes to be delivered.

• Science is a provisional knowledge system
• Adaptive management is based on the science method
• Monitoring and evaluation occurs in the Check phase
• Act phase differentiates academics from implementers