“facts are not science – as the dictionary is not literature” –martin h. fischer
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“Facts are not science – as the dictionary is not literature” –Martin H. Fischer. If science is not facts, what is it?. The Nature of Science. Science is a process by which we try and understand how the natural world works. Nature of Science. Collecting or memorizing facts or observations - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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“Facts are not science – as the
dictionary is not literature” –Martin H. FischerIf science is not facts, what is it?
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The Nature of Science
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Natu
re o
f Sc
ienc
e Science is a process
by which we try and understand how the natural world works
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Scie
nce
is NO
T… Collecting or memorizing facts or observations ALTHOUGH this does
help!
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Scie
nce
is a
proc
ess…
…but not necessarily one “set in stone” system of rules We use the “Scientific
Method” because it is the most commonly observed and used method This method provides
the most understanding and meaning to new scientists
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Unce
rtain
ty
There is NO certainty in science There ARE degrees of
probability and potential for change Scientific understanding can ALWAYS be challenged with new evidence
NOTHING in science is ever PROVEN.
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Mode
rn sc
ienc
e is
base
d on
seve
ral
assu
mpt
ions
…
The world is real and not just our imagination
Humans can accurately perceive and understand the physical universe
Natural processes are sufficient in explaining the
natural world Nature operates in the same way everywhere in the universe and at all times (except where we have sufficient evidence to
demonstrate otherwise)
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Mode
rn sc
ienc
e ha
s lim
itatio
ns…
Observations are limited by human senses
Our senses are unconsciously influenced by previous experience
It is impossible to know if we have observed all possible aspects, controlled all possible variables, or considered every possibility of a phenomenon
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Scie
nce
is co
ntin
gent
kn
owle
dge
It is NOT absolute Based only on available evidence NOT on “proof” History of science is
full of changes in understanding and explanations
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Scie
nce
mus
t fo
llow
certa
in ru
les
Scientific explanations must
be based on careful observations and testing of
hypotheses It must be able to be disproven Solutions can NOT be based
on opinion, popular belief,
or judgment Explanations cannot be based on supernatural forces (because they cannot
be disproved)
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Scie
nce
mus
t fo
llow
certa
in ru
les All hypotheses are not
of equal value The “best” hypothesis is that which best explains ALL the facts/evidence Science is NOT democratic or fair
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It is
also
im
porta
nt to
po
int o
ut… …that science CAN be
misused BUT its limitations are its strengths
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The Scientific Method
Better than other methods
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Obse
rvat
ion
What is happening? Is there anything
interesting?
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Purp
ose
What do you want to find out? What is your goal?
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Hypo
thes
is What do you think will happen? What is the most
probable outcome? BE CAUTIOUS!
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Mate
rials
What things do you need to test your hypothesis?
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Proc
edur
e
What will you do to test your hypothesis?
This should include an explanation of how you will use the materials A well designed
procedure will include multiple trials
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Inde
pend
ent
Varia
ble
The variable you are testing What will you change?
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Depe
nden
t Va
riabl
e What are you measuring? What is the outcome – what units will your data be in?
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Cons
tant
s The things that do not change from one trial to the next What might influence
the independent variable that should be maintained?
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Cont
rol
The standard to which you will compare your experiments
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Resu
lts When you did the experiment, what happened? What did you see,
hear, smell, measure?
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Conc
lusio
n
What did your results mean? Was your hypothesis
correct or incorrect? Are further experiments needed?
What could have been improved?
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Scientific Theory
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Scie
ntifi
c The
ory
A scientific theory is the best fit explanation for a
phenomenon that is repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation via the scientific method
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Crite
ria fo
r a
scie
ntifi
c the
ory
A theory must be falsifiable A theory must fit a
phenomenon with consistent accuracy
A theory is well supported by many independent strands of evidence, not just one
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Crite
ria fo
r a
scie
ntifi
c the
ory
A theory must fit previous knowledge or experimentation A theory can be
adapted to account for new evidence A theory must be the
simplest explanation – Occam’s Razor
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Exam
ples
of
Scie
ntifi
c The
ory Quantum Theory Cell Theory Theory of Evolution
Climate Change Plate Tectonics
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So w
hat’s
the
diffe
renc
e be
twee
n a
law
and
a th
eory
?
A law is an obvious generalization that describes a phenomenon A theory attempts to
explain why a phenomenon happens Both can be disproven
if and when new evidence is discovered