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Theoretical principles (or principled models)
de-idealized
Representational models (or mediating models)
explaining
Phenomena
providing frames for data models
Data models
Models of experiments (experimental procedures)
guiding
organized
experiments
Raw data (out of the world)
Fig. 6.4 A hierarchical framework for theories, models, experiments, and data
explained. They are also models of experimental data in the sense that they organize
and model the data from the experiments. So Mendel really discovered phenomena
by proposing two data models—which were expressed in terms of “laws” or
“generalizations” in his 1866 paper. Mendel used the generalizations (implying
two data models) to describe the patterns of the formation of hybrids. Although
Mendel had no notion of a data model, the models described by his generalizations
further represent significant phenomena: the regularities of the combination and
transmission of traits in some certain crosses between true-breeding forms and
hybrids. Therefore, Mendel did make a scientific discovery—this was an
experi-
mental discovery of phenomena
—and Mendel's discovery consisted of
the empiri-
cal modeling of experimental data.
Mendel's discovery is a key to classical
genetics, because the phenomena and the models are
necessary
for the later
“Mendelian” theories of genetics
.
10
The view can be confirmed by the fact that
the rediscoverers and the ensuing geneticists “invented” the two fundamental laws
of heredity and the concept of the gene to explain the genetic phenomena and the
models.
What is the notion of a data model, and why is it significant? The notion of a data
model has been widely used by philosophers who discuss the role of models in
science. They generally agree that there exist models of data that mediate between
theories and data, although they have slightly different but largely similar
frameworks (Suppes
1962
; Mayo
1996
; Giere
1999
,
2010
; Teller
2010
; Brading
2010
). In order to fit with the goal of this chapter, I adopt the hierarchical
framework for theories, models, and data as shown in Fig.
6.4
. The framework
shows that a model of experimental procedure can guide the performance of an
experiment and produce raw data. It can also provide a frame for a data model to
organize raw data produced from the experiment. Representational models can be
10
Mendelian genetics or Mendelian theories of genetics underwent a continuous micro-change
from the rediscoverers Hugo de Vries and Carl Correns, to the British Mendelian William Bateson,
to the American geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan. They all have similar but different versions of
classical genetics. Darden (
1991
) impressively and convincingly showed this developmental
process of Mendelian genetics.
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