Is there a word that means "Refinement of knowledge over time"?

I am looking for a simple way to describe the occurrence when someone comes up with an idea based on observations (the world is flat and the middle of the universe), and then refines it over time and ultimately to a more accurate scientific truth (it is round, and part of a bigger universe)

My inline example above is just an example... I'm more interested in a word that either describes the process of refining such an idea, or a person who pursues such an endeavor.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Solution 1:

Based on your example, the process you're referring to is the scientific method. From the Wikipedia entry:

Four essential elements of a scientific method are iterations, recursions, interleavings, or orderings of the following:

• Characterizations (observations, definitions, and measurements of the subject of inquiry)
• Hypotheses (theoretical, hypothetical explanations of observations and measurements of the subject)
• Predictions (reasoning including logical deduction from the hypothesis or theory)
• Experiments (tests of all of the above)

I think the specific aspect you're asking about is the series of refinements that gradually lead from question to educated guess to workable theory. I suppose you could just call it iterative refinement, since that does accurately describe the process. Again from Wikipedia (emphasis mine):

A linearized, pragmatic scheme of the four points above is sometimes offered as a guideline for proceeding:

1. Define the question
2. Gather information and resources (observe)
3. Form hypothesis
4. Perform experiment and collect data
5. Analyze data
6. Interpret data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypothesis
7. Publish results
8. Retest (frequently done by other scientists)

The iterative cycle inherent in this step-by-step methodology goes from point 3 to 6 back to 3 again.

Solution 2:

To me, "refinement" already suggests a gradual process, so I think "refinement of knowledge over time" is a bit redundant; I would simply say "refinement of knowledge." But I can't think of a perfect one-word synonym for that.

A word that I think comes close is "enlightenment"; but although "enlightenment" can suggest a gradual process, it doesn't necessarily suggest a gradual process.

"Gradual enlightenment," perhaps?

Solution 3:

The theory would be said to "evolve". The process would be the "evolutionary development of the theory".

Not to be confused with the Theory of Evolution.