Module 1 – Nature of Science
Science
- systematic study of nature
- from the Latin “to know”
- is a process of inquiry that includes repeatable observations and testable hypothesis
- is a way of thinking and a method of investigation the natural world in systematic manner
Critical Thinking
- judging information before accepting it
Types of Science
Physics – study of the laws of the Universe that govern matter, energy, space and time.
Chemistry – deals with matter at the macromolecular scale observing its reactions, transformations and combinations
Astronomy – study of celestial objects
Geology – study of the Earth
Microbiology - study of microscopic organisms
Psychology – study of behavior and mental processes
Oceanography – study of how the ocean works.
Ecology – study of the biota and the environment and their interactions.
Botany – study of plants
Scope and Limits of Science
1. only that which is observable
2. does not answer subjective questions i.e. “Why do I exist?”
3. Does not address the supernatural or anything that is “beyond nature”
4. Reductionism
Scientist use two types of systematic thought processes
1. Deduction – begin with supplied information (premise)
- proceeds from general principles to specific conclusions
- helps us discover relationships among known facts.
Fact – info or knowledge based on evidence
2. Induction – opposite of deduction
- begin with specific observations and draw a conclusion or discover a general principle
Scientific Method
1. Observation
2. Question
3. Hypothesis
4. Predictions
5. Test/Experiment
6. Conclusion
Hypothesis – tentative answer to some questions
- educated guess
- testable statement
Prediction – deductive logical consequence of a hypothesis
Sampling error – is a difference between results from a subset and results from the whole
Theory – is an integrated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a number of hypothesis, each supported by consistent results from many observations or experiments.
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