The Process of Science Science is whatever it is that scientists do. So, they have a social process, whereby ideas spread, and reputations are made. All that stuff on TV is just for the public.
Textbooks are for students, and debates are strictly sideshows.
If they're serious about their reputation, then they use peer review . That means they ask several experts to review my paper. If the experts don't trash it too badly, the editor sends me their comments, and says that he will publish me if I make some changes. I am not told who the reviewers are, and they may not have been told who I am. But it's really pretty good, and I don't know of anything better.