The Nature of

Science2010 Virginia Science SOL

Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.

UNDERSTANDABLETHE NATURAL WORLD IS

The Natural World is Understandable

The natural world is understandable through the careful collection and critical analysis of empirical evidence.

Every discipline in modern science has derived its principles and paradigms through this process.

EVIDENCESCIENCE DEMANDS

Science Demands Evidence

Scientific knowledge involves a combination of observations and inferences.

Scientists use data to make inferences and formulate explanations of phenomena.

Data can be obtained through experimentation or observation.

The myth of the scientific method

Scientists apply various methods in doing research.

There is no universally accepted scientific method agreed upon by the scientific community.

Science does demand that evidence be empirically collected and analyzed.

LOGIC AND IMAGINATIONSCIENCE IS A BLEND OF

Science is a Blend of Logic and Imagination

Scientific knowledge involves human imagination, creativity, and inference.

Much of the scientific enterprise is governed by the ability and creativity of scientists to visualize different situations and predict outcomes.

DURABLESCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

Scientific Knowledge is Durable

Scientific ideas are continually tested.

Ideas that are able to withstand the scrutiny of the scientific community form the foundations of our current understandings of the natural world and how it functions.

Theories and laws.

Theories and laws are two different types of knowledge used by scientists to describe natural phenomena. They are equal in terms of scientific validity.

Theories are generally used to explain complex natural processes not easily quantifiable.

Laws often use mathematical formulas to show relationships and make predictions about the natural world.

SUBJECT TO CHANGESCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

Scientific Ideas are Subject to Change

The drive to elucidate the finer points of a commonly held scientific paradigm is what “normal science” is all about.

The sensitive instruments developed to elucidate the finer points of a paradigm help to uncover ambiguities in the expected data. These may lead to changes in our understanding.

Although subject to gradual refinement, “the main body of scientific knowledge is very stable and grows by being corrected slowly and having its boundaries extended gradually.”

BIASSCIENTISTS ATTEMPT TO AVOID

Scientists Try to Identify and Avoid Bias

Since scientists within the same field tend to share common methodologies and views, their objectivity must continually be challenged to ensure validity of results.

Within the scientific community there are ethical practices which guarantee that scientific endeavors are carried out under universally accepted standards around the world.

SOCIAL ACTIVITYSCIENCE IS A COMPLEX

Science is a Complex Social Activity

Scientific knowledge is tied to social and cultural factors.

Scientific research is dependent upon financial support, and this can influence - both positively and negatively - which areas are investigated.

The Nature of Science

The natural world is understandableScience demands evidenceScience is a blend of logic and imaginationScientific knowledge is durableScientific knowledge is subject to changeScientists attempt to identify and avoid biasScience is a complex social activity

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