The Nature of Science/Chapter 1 (skipping 1.

3 for now)

The Process of Science

 The Scientific Method – A standardized process that scientists

use to solve a problem
 But what does this actually mean?

It is a proof method for proving a hypothesis wrong or right.

What is the Goal of Science?

• natural explanations for events in the natural world

To provide _____________________________________________________________________

• patterns in nature
These explanations are used to understand ______________________________________ to
predictions
make useful _______________________ about other natural events

Scientists use various forms of inquiry to explore life

• At the heart of science is inquiry

- information and formation of explanations

A search for _____________________________________________________________

• Biology blends two main processes of scientific inquiry

- Discovery
___________________________ science

- Hypothesis-based
___________________________________ science
Discovery Science

• Space and Ocean

Examples are ________________________________ Science – we have little to no background
prior
knowledge ______________ to doing the experiment

Hypothesis – Based Science

• specific questions
Inquiry that asks _________________________________

• hypothesis
In science, a ________________________

- Is a tentative answer to a well-framed question, an explanation on trial

- Makes predictions that can be tested

________________________________________________________________________

• A scientific hypothesis must have two important qualities

- testable
It must be____________________________

- falsifiable
It must be ____________________________

Designing Controlled Experiments- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeH1FzqdQZ0

• Experiments must be designed to test

- two varibles
The relationship between ______________

- control
The ______________________ acts as a way to compare your results to what ‘normally’
happens

- Variables

- Independent (Manipulated)
_________________________________________________

- Dependent (Responding)
_________________________________________________

Types of Data

 Are recorded observations

- quantitative
Can be _____________________ qualitative
or ______________________________

x quantitative
In most cases, ____________________________ data is preferred

x Why?

Quantitative data is preferred because quantitative can be biased.

Conclusions in Science

• data
Always based off of the ______________ collected from the experiment –
formation of an inference
_____________________________________

• support (NOT PROVE), refute, or revise the hypothesis being tested.

Evidence will ___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

• questions
Can lead to the formation of new _________________ experiments
and ______________________

Limitations of Science

• Science cannot address supernatural phenomena

- testable
Because hypotheses must be _____________________ falsifiable
and _____________________
repeatable
and experimental results must be ____________________________

Errors in Science

• bias
A scientists goal is to eliminate _______________. All errors MUST be reported. WHY?
All errors must be reported for the accuracy of the controlled experiment.

- consistent problem with a tool

Systematic – a ______________________________________________________
(calibration is an example)

- Random – an error that was caused because we are

human and disrupted the data enough to bias the results
________________________________________________________________________
(spills, not following directions, use of the wrong tool, etc.)

Ways to Reduce Error- Why to each of them?

• Repeat Trials- To maximize accuracy

• Large Sample Sizes- More accurate data

• Proper Tool Choice-Make sure it works

• Proper Experimental Design- making sure that the data has independent and dependent variables

• FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!- person giving directions will know how to do the experiment

The Culture of Science

• Science is a social activity of sharing ideas

 - Characterized by both cooperation and competition

• Peer Review

- Ensures validity
__________________________________
Repeat study findings
- __________________________________

- Safety

Science, Technology, and Society

• Technology

- technology
Discoveries in science can lead to new _______________________

- science
Discoveries in technology can lead to new ideas in __________________

- major
Contributes to _________________ impacts on life

Chapter 1

1.1 What is science

What is science?

• Definition is an organized way of gathering an analyzing evidence about the natural world. It is a
way of observing, a way of thinking and a “way of knowing” about the world. In other words,
process not a thing.
science is a __________________________

• natural
Science deals only in the __________________ world, “not” supernatural.
• Collect and organize information
• Propose explanations based on test they run

• So the goal of science is to provide natural explanations for events in the natural world. Science
understand
aims to use those explanations to _________________________ nature and aim to make useful
predictions about natural events
• (So how do we know something?)
• Where does knowledge come from?
• What does it mean to say that science is a process?
• What does it mean when we said “knowing” “understand” “natural”
 b. Scientific methodology- What are these?
• Observation The act of noticing and describing events or process in a careful, orderly way
• Question background research
• Hypothesis Scientific explanation for set of observations that can be tested in ways that support or reject it
• Controlled experiment- independent/dependent variable, control group
• Data detailed records of experimental observations
• *Conclusion*

1.2 Science in Context

a. Exploration and Discovery- Why? Why are these important to scientists?
• Curiosity wondering
• Skepticism caution
• Open-mindedness doesn't lead to bias
• Creativity be creative
• Peer-review- REVIEW why are these important?
• Why is sharing the information/publishing your work important?

b. Theories

• well tested supported explanation that can change over time.

Definition- _____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

• What are theories that you know of? Why are they theories?
Big Bang Theory, Fermant's Primes, Mersenne Primes
They are not yet proven.
• What does it mean to be a dominant view?

Dominant view is a term used on a widely accepted perspective on a topic.

c. Science and society

• society
Using science involves understanding its context in _____________ and its
limitation
__________________.

• Science involves natural phenomenon, not ethical or moral viewpoints- why?

Moral or ethical viewpoints can lead to bias.
• bias
How we use science in society can be affected by _________________. Bias is a particular
preference of view point that is personal rather than scientific.

• Science aims to be objective, but scientists are human too.