The Process of Science
Definition of Terms:
● Science
- Systematic process on gaining knowledge about the natural world
- ‘Scientia’ - Latin word meaning “knowledge”.
★ Importance
- Powerful tool that understands the world
- Technological advancements over last 500 years
★ Disadvantages
- Does not address spirituality, morality or aesthetics
- Restriction to matter and energy (material phenomena)
● Scientific Method
- Structured research using experimentation and observation
- Defined steps that study natural phenomena
● Key Scientific Concepts
★ Hypothesis
- Testable statement that might explain natural phenomena
★ Scientific Theory
- A thoroughly observed and accepted explanation for natural phenomena
★ Scientific Law
- Mathematical formulas that describes natural behavior
- No direct explanation why
Scientific Inquiry
● The Goal of Science
- Curiosity and inquiry
- Understand operations of the world
● 2 Methods of Logical thinking
★ Inductive Reasoning
- Observations to General Conclusions
- Common in descriptive science
- Qualitative (descriptive) or Quantitative (numerical)
★ Deductive Reasoning
- Use general laws to predict specific outcomes
- Common in hypothesis-based science
● 2 Pathways of Scientific Study
- Interconnected with each other. Observations lead to creating hypothesis
★ Descriptive (Discovery) Science
- Observations, Exploration, Discovery
★ Hypothesis-Based Science
- Specific question to be asked, with potential answers to test
Hypothesis Testing
● Scientific Method in Biology
- 1st documentation by Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1621)
- Biologists use structured inquiry
- Various disciplines for logical problem-solving
● Steps of the Scientific Method
1. Observation and Question
2. Hypothesis Formation
3. Prediction
1. Make an observation →
2. Ask Question →
3. Formulate Hypothesis →
4. Make a Prediction →
5. Test the prediction with Experiment →
6. Analyze Results →
7. (IF hypothesis is supported → Report Results)
(IF hypothesis is not supported → Report Results and Return to Formulate
Hypothesis)
● Key Features of Hypothesis
★ Testable
- Must be verified through experiments
★ Falsifiable
- Possible to be disproven
- Cannot be proven, only supported or rejected
Experimental Design
● Variables:
★ Experimental Variable
- Components of Experiment being changed or altered
★ Controlled Variables
- Components which are constant; cannot be changed
● Control Group vs Experimental Group
★ Control Group
- Does not receive any changes (or receives placebo instead)
★ Experimental Group
- Group/s where variables are being tested.
● Flexibility in Scientific Method
- Not always linear
- Experiments create new questions and approaches
- Scientific reasoning is about recognizing patterns and consistent improvement
(refinement)
Basic and Applied Science
● Basic Science
- Pure Science
- Pursuit of knowledge without immediate need/problems
- Not focused on improving products / services
- Can be applied later on
● Applied Science
- Scientific knowledge for real world problems
- Relies on discoveries from basic science
- Both Basic and Applied science are essential for progress
Transparency and Critique
➔ Expand and build upon studies of different scientists
➔ Growth of scientific knowledge
● Method of Sharing Results
★ Scientific Meetings/Conferences
- Small, limited audience
★ Peer Reviewed Articles
- Most common method of sharing
- Published in scientific journals
● Peer Review Process
- Articles are reviewed by experts of same field
A. Original
B. Significant
C. Ethical
D. Logical
E. Thorough
● Value of Peer Reviewing
- Validation and consistency of findings
- Allows reproducibility and build on results
● Critical Thinking in Scientific Information
- Consider peer reviews and solid evidence
- Always be skeptical to ensure conclusions are well supported
