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Published byBethanie Gladys Walsh Modified over 8 years ago
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“Facts are not science – as the dictionary is not literature” –Martin H. Fischer If science is not facts, what is it?
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The Nature of Science
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Nature of Science Science is a process by which we try and understand how the natural world works
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Science is NOT… Collecting or memorizing facts or observations ALTHOUGH this does help!
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Science is a process… …but not necessarily one “set in stone” system of rules We use the “Scientific Method” because it is the most commonly observed and used method This method provides the most understanding and meaning to new scientists
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Uncertainty There is NO certainty in science There ARE degrees of probability and potential for change Scientific understanding can ALWAYS be challenged with new evidence NOTHING in science is ever PROVEN.
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Modern science is based on several assumptions… The world is real and not just our imagination Humans can accurately perceive and understand the physical universe Natural processes are sufficient in explaining the natural world Nature operates in the same way everywhere in the universe and at all times (except where we have sufficient evidence to demonstrate otherwise)
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Modern science has limitations… Observations are limited by human senses Our senses are unconsciously influenced by previous experience It is impossible to know if we have observed all possible aspects, controlled all possible variables, or considered every possibility of a phenomenon
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Science is contingent knowledge It is NOT absolute Based only on available evidence NOT on “proof” History of science is full of changes in understanding and explanations
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Science must follow certain rules Scientific explanations must be based on careful observations and testing of hypotheses It must be able to be disproven Solutions can NOT be based on opinion, popular belief, or judgment Explanations cannot be based on supernatural forces (because they cannot be disproved)
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Science must follow certain rules All hypotheses are not of equal value The “best” hypothesis is that which best explains ALL the facts/evidence Science is NOT democratic or fair
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It is also important to point out… …that science CAN be misused BUT its limitations are its strengths
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The Scientific Method Better than other methods
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Observation What is happening? Is there anything interesting?
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Purpose What do you want to find out? What is your goal?
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Hypothesis What do you think will happen? What is the most probable outcome? BE CAUTIOUS!
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Materials What things do you need to test your hypothesis?
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Procedure What will you do to test your hypothesis? This should include an explanation of how you will use the materials A well designed procedure will include multiple trials
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Independent Variable The variable you are testing What will you change?
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Dependent Variable What are you measuring? What is the outcome – what units will your data be in?
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Constants The things that do not change from one trial to the next What might influence the independent variable that should be maintained?
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Control The standard to which you will compare your experiments
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Results When you did the experiment, what happened? What did you see, hear, smell, measure?
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Conclusion What did your results mean? Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Are further experiments needed? What could have been improved?
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Scientific Theory
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A scientific theory is the best fit explanation for a phenomenon that is repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation via the scientific method
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Criteria for a scientific theory A theory must be falsifiable A theory must fit a phenomenon with consistent accuracy A theory is well supported by many independent strands of evidence, not just one
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Criteria for a scientific theory A theory must fit previous knowledge or experimentation A theory can be adapted to account for new evidence A theory must be the simplest explanation – Occam’s Razor
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Examples of Scientific Theory Quantum Theory Cell Theory Theory of Evolution Climate Change Plate Tectonics
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So what’s the difference between a law and a theory? A law is an obvious generalization that describes a phenomenon A theory attempts to explain why a phenomenon happens Both can be disproven if and when new evidence is discovered
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