> If he came to the same conclusion, you’ve replicated the original findings. You used the scientific method! You most certainly have not. You have decided to

> If he came to the same conclusion, you’ve replicated the original findings. You used the scientific method! You most certainly have not. You have decided to trust two experts instead of one. > This should have occurred at every step of the process, and you can (and should!) review the literature to the best of your ability and get it explained to you as throughly as possible. What if you don't have the ability or expertise to understand the literature? If you're asking for a simplified version then you're just trusting the expert's understanding. (This is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, but still involves a level of trust in the authority of the expert). Out of interest, do you make sure you understand the science behind bridge technology and the engineering of every single bridge you cross, or do you trust in the expertise of certified bridge engineers?