Science: A Way of Knowing

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Science A Way of Knowing

• Chapter 1

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What is Science? Why Study Science?
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The Scientific Method
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Observation

• Observation observe nature without manipulating
  it.
• Experiment manipulating some aspect of nature
  and observe the outcome.

Reproducible
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Identifying Patterns and Regularities

• Measurement for better description
• Data table or graph
• Patterns emerge
• Describe
• In words
• In equation form
• In symbols
• Example Distance of a falling object

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Mathematics The Language of Science

• Description
• General
• More accurate
• Example

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Mathematics

• Equation
• compact
• Precise
• Which English
• sentence does
• this equation
• represent?

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Facts, Hypotheses, Laws, Theories

• Fact
• Confirmed observation
• Hypothesis
• Tentative educated guess
• Law
• Regular and predictable pattern of nature
• Theory
• Well-substantiated explanatory description of
  the world based on a large number of independent
  observations and experimental tests.

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Prediction and Testing

• Predictions
• Hypothesis, Law, Theory
• Can be tested by their predictions
• Testing
• Do not always prove or disprove an idea but some
  time define a range of validity
• Every law and theory of nature is subject to
  change, based on new observations

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The Scientific Method in Operation

• Example Biodiversity and Nitrogen (N) addition
  experiment at Cedar Creek in Minnesota by David
  Tilman,
• 4 fields, 207 plots.
• 1. Some plots, called controls, received no
  treatment,
• 2. Some plots were give a group of essential
  nutrients
• such as phosphors (P), potassium (K), but no
  nitrogen (N).
• 3. Some plots were given the same set of
  nutrients, but different amount of N.

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The Scientific Method in Operation
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Dimitri Mendeleev and the Periodic Table
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William Harvey and the Bloods Circulation
Arteries Veins
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The Scientific Method in Operation

• Cycle with no true starting point, and it is
  continuous and endless.
• Scientific results must be re-producible.
  Scientists must believe their testing results and
  change their hypothesis if evidences force them
  to do so.
• Science is the most creative human endeavor.

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Other Ways of Knowing
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Different Kinds of Questions

• Many questions are beyond the scope of science
  and scientific method.
• Examples
• Philosophy What is the meaning of life?
• Art Is this painting beautiful?
• Religion Is there a god?
• These are questions address different human needs
  than science.

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Pseudoscience

• Pseudoscience
• Belief and dogma and other
• Ideas not testable
• Examples
• Astrology
• UFO (Unidentified Flying Object)
• Evaluation of a claim
• Are the facts true as stated?
• Is there an alternative explanation?
• Is the claim falsifiable?
• Have claims been tested?
• Do claims require
• unreasonable changes in
• accepted ideas?

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The Organization of Science
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Divisions of Science

• Disciplines
• Early stage (17th century)
• one person know almost all areas
• Today
• Most scientists choose a major field
• Different Kinds of Scientists
• Field researcher
• Experimentalists
• Theorists

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The Branches of Science

• Physics
• Fundamental aspects of nature, the starting point
  for almost any study of how nature works
• Chemistry
• Atoms in combination, chemical reactions
• Astronomy
• Stars, planets, and other objects in space
• Geology
• Earth
• Biology
• Living systems

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The Web of Knowledge

• Center
• Laws of nature
• Apply to all areas
• Areas Interconnected
• All branches integrated

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Basic Research, Applied Research, and Technology

• Basic Research
• The primary goal is to expand knowledge,
• such as to study the beginning of the universe
  and sub-atomic particles, etc.
• Applied Research
• Research with specific practical goals in mind
• Technology
• The science of technical process. To apply
  results of research to commercial or industry
  goals.
• Research and Development (RD) To transfer
  research into practical systems in government
  labs and private industry.

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Funding for Science

• US Government 130 billion
• Apply for funds
• Grant proposal
• Ranked by independent scientists, highly
  competitive

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Communication Among Scientists

• Collaboration
• Scientific Meetings
• Peer reviewed Journals Cornerstone of science