Ráðunautafundur - 15.02.1989, Page 11

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hypothesis, predictions are made about other classes of fact that should be true if
the research hypothesis is actually true. To the extent that well-designed and
carefully controlled experiments confirm or fail to confirm the predictions, the
hypothesis is confirmed or rejected (Platt, 1964; Hurlbert, 1984). Thus, the
hypothetico-deductive method of science provides the means for evaluating the
reliability of the research hypotheses generated by retroduction. As such, it is the
primary means of increasing the reliability of our knowledge of processes important
to grazing management.
THE EVOLUTION OF RANGE SCIENCE
As a science matures or evolves, it passes through several stages (Wiegert, 1988). In
the beginning the science is largely descriptive and concern rests with determining
what is there. During this stage the method of induction may be used to establish
laws of association between classes of facts. Once a large body of fact has
accumulated, much energy is devoted to seeking order and pattern in the facts.
Scientists then become more concerned with how things are arranged and how they
function. Finally, scientists endeavor to explain why the patterns and functions exist
as they are observed. During these latter two stages of development, the methods of
retroduction and hypothetico-deduction are used extensively.
Range science has its roots in range management (Stoddart et al„ 1975). As a
result, range scientists traditionally have focused their attention on describing
components of range ecosystems as a first attempt toward providing information
planners needed to manage rangelands. Most management recommendations are
currently based on this kind of information. Traditionally, it has been difficult to
differentiate the role of the manager (planner) from that of the researcher
(scientist). In most cases researchers have been more intent on providing
management recommendations that on providing fundamental understanding of
process important in grazing management. This creates confusion among
contemporary managers and researchers and often leads to ill feeling between these
two groups: the managers see little of value for planning emanating from research
and the researchers feel that managers are simply too conventional to apply the
latest research results.
I believe that range science is in transition from the what to the how and why
stages of development. As a result, many range scientists lack a clear understanding
of their role in range science/management. Often, the "experiments" that range
scientists conduct are designed to describe soil, plant and animal responses to
various management alternatives, rather than to understand the processes important
to grazing management. I believe that the role of range scientists now and in the
future will be to provide the base of scientific knowledge upon which planners can