The Nature of

ScienceInvestigating Key Ideas Related to NOS

Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.

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UNDERSTANDABLETHE NATURAL WORLD IS

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The Natural World is Understandable

The natural world is understandable through the careful collection and critical analysis of evidence.

Every branch of modern science has developed its principles and explanations through this process.

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EVIDENCESCIENCE DEMANDS

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Science Demands Evidence

Scientific knowledge involves a blend of observations and inferences.

Scientists use data to make inferences and formulate explanations of phenomena.

Data can be obtained through experimentation or observation.

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The myth of the scientific method

Scientists apply various methods in doing research.

There is no standard accepted scientific method agreed upon by all scientists.

Scientists do agree that measurable evidence must be collected and analyzed, however.

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LOGIC AND IMAGINATIONSCIENCE IS A BLEND OF

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Science is a Blend of Logic and Imagination

Scientific knowledge involves human imagination, creativity, and inference.

Scientists often use their creativity to visualize different situations and predict outcomes.

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DURABLESCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

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Scientific Knowledge is Durable

Scientific ideas are continually tested.

Ideas that are able to withstand repeated testing form the foundation of our current knowledge of the natural world and how it works.

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Theories and laws.

Theories and laws are two different types of knowledge used by scientists to describe natural phenomena.

Theories are generally used to explain complex natural processes not easily measurable.

Laws often use mathematical formulas to show relationships and make predictions about the natural world.

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SUBJECT TO CHANGESCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

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Scientific Ideas are Subject to Change

The drive to explain the finer points of a commonly held scientific concept is what “normal science” is all about.

The sensitive instruments developed to test the finer points help to uncover inconsistencies in the expected data. These “unexpected results” may lead to changes in our understanding.

Although subject to refinement, “the main body of scientific knowledge is very stable and grows by being corrected gradually.”

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BIASSCIENTISTS ATTEMPT TO AVOID

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Scientists Try to Identify and Avoid Bias

Scientists within the same field tend to share common methods and views, so their objectivity must continually be challenged to ensure validity of results.

Scientists around the world follow strict rules designed to ensure that investigations are carried out in an ethical and objective manner.

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SOCIAL ACTIVITYSCIENCE IS A COMPLEX

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Science is a Complex Social Activity

Scientific knowledge is influenced by social and cultural factors.

Scientific research is dependent upon financial support, which can influence - both positively and negatively - which areas are investigated.

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The Nature of Science

The natural world is understandableScience demands evidenceScience is a blend of logic and imaginationScientific knowledge is durableScientific knowledge is subject to changeScientists attempt to identify and avoid biasScience is a complex social activity

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