The Nature of Science

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The Nature of Science
The Nature of Science refers to the way
scientific knowledge is developed.
This is a general definition
A better description of the way scientific
knowledge is developed is
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
Tentative means subject to change
Sometimes scientific knowledge changes
Examples
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Biology Mrs. Turgeon 9/ 5/
13 Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope
for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop
questioning. Albert Einstein DO NOW Take out
your Biology 3 ring binder. In your
notes (anywhere), answer the following question
in your own words What is the difference
between a scientific theory and A scientific
law?
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The Nature of Science
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
2) Scientific knowledge is
EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
Empirical Based means
based on experiment, experimental data.
based on observations and inferences.
Scientific knowledge is developed by making
inferences after collecting data, from
experiments and observations.
??? Observation vs. Inference ???
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The Nature of Science
??? Observation vs. Inference ???
What is an observation? How are observations
made?
An OBSERVATION is information collected with the
senses.
What is an INFERENCE?
An INFERENCE explains observations.
practice
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The Nature of Science
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
2) Scientific knowledge is
EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
3) Scientific knowledge is SUBJECTIVE.
Subjective means based on an individuals
own thoughts and experiences
Examples
Who is tall?
What is Good Music?
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The Nature of Science
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
2) Scientific knowledge is
EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
3) Scientific knowledge is SUBJECTIVE.
4) Scientific knowledge is built up by
creativity and imagination.
Scientists use their creativity and
imagination to study and understand natural
phenomena and to solve the problems.
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The Nature of Science
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
2) Scientific knowledge is
EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
3) Scientific knowledge is SUBJECTIVE.
4) Scientific knowledge is built up by
creativity and imagination.
5) Scientific knowledge is Socially and
Culturally embedded.
Scientists are influenced by their societal and
cultural values. Society rules and cultural
rules often dictate what type of science is
acceptable.
Stem Cell Research Is it right or wrong?
Examples
Prescription medicine vs. natural treatment
Western Medicine vs. Eastern Medicine
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The Nature of Science
Categories of Scientific knowledge
Observations/Data/Inferences,
Hypothesis,
Law.
Theory,
Social Cultural Context.
Relationship of the categories of Scientific
knowledge
Social Cultural Context
Theory,
Law
Hypothesis,
Observations/Data/Inferences,
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The Nature of Science
Scientific Law vs. Scientific Theory
What is the difference?
Scientific Laws
Scientific Theories
Boyles Law
Kinetic Molecular Theory
Mendels Laws of Inheritance
Chromosome Theory
Newtons Laws of Motion
Quantum Theory
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The Nature of Science
Scientific Law vs. Scientific Theory
State, identify, or describe relationships
among observable phenomena.
Scientific Laws
Based on observations
Scientific Theories
Inferred explanation for observable phenomena.
Based on inferences
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Scientific Method(s)
Curiosity
General Format
Observations/Measurements
Hypothesis
Testing/Experiments
inconsistent results
Results
consistent results
Theory
Law
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Review

• Read the following sentences, underline the
  observation and circle the inference.
• The dinosaurs were fighting because all the
  fossilized footprints were jumbled up together.
• The sky was changing colors from dark to light
  because the sun is rising.
• Jennys mom burned dinner downstairs and Jenny
  could hear the smoke detector upstairs.
• The kitchen is warmer than inside the freezer so
  Emmanuel Lewiss ice cubes were melting on the
  counter.

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Review Answers

• The dinosaurs were fighting because all the
  fossilized footprints were jumbled up together.
• The sky was changing colors from dark to light
  because the sun is rising.
• Jennys mom burned dinner downstairs and Jenny
  could hear the smoke detector upstairs.

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• The kitchen is warmer than inside the freezer so
  Honey Boo Boos ice cubes were melting on the
  counter.

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The End