We know how to form hypotheses, gather data, evaluate it, and examine our hypothesis in light of that data. We call the entire field the Scientific Method. Unfortunately, only the scientists seem interested in using it. Both religion and government run as far away from it as possible, which is truly a shame. What follows are the reasons I find the entire issue marvelously beautiful.
Some material is irrelevant, some is essential.
HOW it will be evaluated. Are we using smell, instruments, are they calibrated correctly, and so on. Not who they think is cuter or better built, but who they will vote for. We must match whatever we are measuring with an appropriate device for doing that measurement. This involves precision and scale.