Changes

We should continuously evaluate whether the products of an exploration effort have passed step 3. For example, compare these two pieces of stratigraphic work:

We should continuously evaluate whether the products of an exploration effort have passed step 3. For example, compare these two pieces of stratigraphic work:

* A simple gross sand isopach map that is essentially unaltered by results of considerable additional drilling. Such correct predictions represent work that has earned a high scientific confidence level and therefore is well past step 3.

* A simple gross sand [[isopach]] map that is essentially unaltered by results of considerable additional drilling. Such correct predictions represent work that has earned a high scientific confidence level and therefore is well past step 3.

* A newly prepared environmental, lithofacies, and seismic–stratigraphic interpretation of a similar sand unit. Although prepared with an impressive degree of advanced technical competence, this is only an untested hypothesis and therefore has only reached step 3.

* A newly prepared [[Depositional environments|environmental]], lithofacies (see [[Lithofacies and environmental analysis of clastic depositional systems]] and [[Carbonate facies]]), and [[Seismic interpretation|seismic–stratigraphic interpretation]] of a similar sand unit. Although prepared with an impressive degree of advanced technical competence, this is only an untested hypothesis and therefore has only reached step 3.

The scientific method recognizes the degree of proof of the hypothesis, not the sophistication of the data used to prepare it.

The scientific method recognizes the degree of proof of the hypothesis, not the sophistication of the data used to prepare it.