People should really read what Feynman said about "cargo-cult" science.
"In the South Seas there is a cargo cult of people. During the war they saw airplanes land with lots of good materials, and they want the same thing to happen now." /1
Here is my take, one that I have had my whole professional life:
If you are using the scientific method in your work, you are doing science.
Period.
Case closed.
I have so, so, much more to say about this, and could probably write a whole book about it, but just wanted to state this one of my core professional beliefs in as unambiguous terms as possible.