Science As A ProcessScience As A Process

• Scientific methodScientific method• Examples of the scientific methodExamples of the scientific method• Hypotheses, theories and lawsHypotheses, theories and laws• Models in the sciencesModels in the sciences• Science and pseudoscienceScience and pseudoscience• Science and SocietyScience and Society

Scientific MethodScientific Method

• Framework for scientific pursuitsFramework for scientific pursuits• Definition: Definition: specificspecific and and acceptedaccepted methodology for methodology for

investigating how natural systems operateinvestigating how natural systems operate

Physics AstronomyPhysics Astronomy Chemistry Biology Chemistry Biology

Scientific MethodScientific Method

Observations

Proposal/Hypothesis

Testing Hypothesis

Rejection/Acceptance of Hypothesis

Scientific Method: AttributesScientific Method: Attributes

• Creative intellectual pursuitCreative intellectual pursuit• Deductive reasoningDeductive reasoning• Observationally basedObservationally based• HypothesisHypothesis formulation formulation• Hypothesis testing: accept or rejectHypothesis testing: accept or reject• Peer review: review, publication and Peer review: review, publication and

dissemination (openness of process)dissemination (openness of process)• Essential and common feature of graduate Essential and common feature of graduate

education in education in allall disciplines disciplines

Scientific Method: ProcessScientific Method: Process

ObservationObservation

HypothesisHypothesis

ExperimentationExperimentation

Hypothesis (accept/reject)Hypothesis (accept/reject)

Next StepsNext Steps

Scientific Method: Some ExamplesScientific Method: Some Examples

• State hypothesis and devise an experiment to test State hypothesis and devise an experiment to test hypothesishypothesis Cosmetic creams and reduce the threat of UV-B radiationCosmetic creams and reduce the threat of UV-B radiation West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitoesWest Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitoes Poison ivy causes an allergic reactionPoison ivy causes an allergic reaction Continents on the Earth’s surface are adriftContinents on the Earth’s surface are adrift Atoms are composed of small particles that are positively Atoms are composed of small particles that are positively

and negatively chargedand negatively charged Climate can be affected by carbon dioxide in the atmosphereClimate can be affected by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Poison IvyPoison Ivy

Hypothesis: On exposure to poison ivy, an allergic reaction is elicited that results in rash and irritation

Testing of Hypothesis:

Acceptance/Rejection of Hypothesis:

Next Step: Out of the 1000’s of chemicals in poison ivy, what specific chemical is responsible for the allergic reaction

New Hypothesis:

Continental DriftContinental Drift

Hypothesis: In the geological history of the Earth, the continents were merge into one large land mass that subsequently broke and drifted apart into isolated continents

Hypotheses, Theories and Hypotheses, Theories and Laws: A HierarchyLaws: A Hierarchy

LawLaw

TheoryTheory

Multiple HypothesesMultiple Hypotheses (N=100’s)(N=100’s)

HypothesisHypothesis (N=1)(N=1)

Hypothesis, Theory and LawHypothesis, Theory and Law

• HypothesisHypothesis N=1 with specific focus and specific experimentationN=1 with specific focus and specific experimentation

• Theory (a select few)Theory (a select few) N=100’s of individual hypothesesN=100’s of individual hypotheses Very broad and integrating explanation of how the natural world Very broad and integrating explanation of how the natural world

operatesoperates e.g., seafloor spreading, evolution, atomic structure, cell theorye.g., seafloor spreading, evolution, atomic structure, cell theory

• Law (even fewer yet)Law (even fewer yet) Overarching relationship that explains a recurrent array of Overarching relationship that explains a recurrent array of

observations in natureobservations in nature e.g., thermodynamics, motion (Newton)e.g., thermodynamics, motion (Newton)

Models in the SciencesModels in the Sciences

Conceptual models based Conceptual models based on observationson observations Example:Example: Dynamics of Dynamics of

family interactionsfamily interactions

Example:Example: Structure of Structure of the atom (protons, neutrons and the atom (protons, neutrons and electrons)electrons)

Electrons in orbit

Protons and Neutron

Electrons in orbits

Climate ModelsClimate Models

Frequency of Natural DisastersFrequency of Natural Disasters

Spinning Top as a ModelsSpinning Top as a Models

Science and PseudoscienceScience and Pseudoscience

• Science: underpinned by scientific methodScience: underpinned by scientific method OpenOpen and and peer-reviewedpeer-reviewed process process

• Pseudoscience: underpinned by _________?Pseudoscience: underpinned by _________? Define “pseudo”Define “pseudo” Not subject to scientific methodNot subject to scientific method

Not peer-reviewedNot peer-reviewed Not based on hypothesesNot based on hypotheses Not driven by experimentationNot driven by experimentation Selective use/abuse of dataSelective use/abuse of data

e.g., astrology, nutrition supplements, weight loss, e.g., astrology, nutrition supplements, weight loss, fountain of youth remedies, etc. fountain of youth remedies, etc.

Science and SocietyScience and Society

• Special case of science and societySpecial case of science and society• Theory of evolutionTheory of evolution• Theory of Intelligent designTheory of Intelligent design• Theory of creationismTheory of creationism• Theory of hierarchy and emergent propertiesTheory of hierarchy and emergent properties