Lab mouse. Photo by Rama
The techniques of magick are at the root of scientific procedures. You begin by seeing an issue (magick: formulate your goal). Then you design an experiment (magick: design your ritual) based on experience and protocols that limit unwanted influences on the experiment (magick: perform banishing). Next, you perform your experiments and document the results (magick: do the ritual and record it in your magickal record, diary, or journal). Finally, you observe over time to see if the results of the experiment/magick hold.
This is the nature of good laboratory science/magick. Recently, I saw a great article that seems to unite the two. If you want to read the entire