A discussion about the context of discovery and justification

The dynamics between hypothesis and experimentation in science

Abstract

This essay discusses the dialogue between hypothesis and experimentation in the construction of scientific knowledge, explaining the new epistemic concerns related to an experiment, especially in the early 80s. Conceptions of experimentation usually disseminad in science education are briefly presented. Through the concept of exploratory testing, outlined by Steinle, it talks about the distinction explicit by Reichenbach between the contexts of discovery and justification showing,through a literature review, relevant objections to this dichotomy in the light of modern philosophy of science.