Science and Scientific

Method
 The Nature of Science
1. What is Science?
• To look at the natural world -- PERSPECTIVE
• Science is applied; it requires PRACTICE
• It is an INSTITUTION – a consensus of expert ideas

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The Nature of Science
2. The nature of Science
• Science begins based on
ASSUMPTIONS
• Everything that is in the world and
happens in the world can be explained
(phenomenon)
• Controlled environments are essential
• Cannot be used for earth sciences
(Plate Tectonics)
• There are things that Science cannot
explain: NOUMENON

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TOPIC 1: The Nature of Science
2. The nature of Science
• Science is NOT STATIC
• Contingent body of knowledge rather
than an absolute one

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 The Nature of Science
2. The nature of Science
• Science is NOT A PERFECT SCIENCE
• In the course of proving something,
errors may occur
• This may lead to new discoveries
and fresh insight

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The Nature of Science
2. The nature of Science
• Science is a SOCIAL EXERCISE
• Collaborative and corrective
• Peer reviews, conferences

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The Nature of Science
2. The nature of Science
• Science has LIMITS
• It provides useful
information but cannot
be used to decide
whether these are right
or wrong decisions

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The Nature of Science
3. Scientific Thinking
• Critical thinking coupled with a
healthy skepticism
• Collective wisdom
• Based on the principles of its
practice, not its claims
Unscientific Thinking
• Disregards logic and methodology
of scientific practice
• Inflexible
• Authority based on unverifiable
belief
• Unable to criticize and accept
criticism
• Rejects perspective different from
their own
 Theory of Spontaneous Generation

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 Is there a scientific method?
1. What is the scientific method?
• Process of comparative critical thinking
• Various methods but NO CLEAR FORM
• There is NO ONE SET OF METHODS that
can apply to investigate and describe all
problems

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 Is there a scientific method?
1. What is the scientific method?
• The SAME SET OF TOOLS can be used in
VARIOUS WAYS to investigate and address
a problem

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 Is there a scientific method?
1. What is the scientific method?
• It has NO PRECISE ORDER, NON-LINEAR
• You can start anywhere: previous data, curiosity, passion, random observation

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 Is there a scientific method?
1. What is the scientific method?
• MANY SIGNIFICANT USES
• Predictions, avoiding mistakes,
resource allocations

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 Is there a scientific method?
1. What is the scientific method?
• There are limits to the scientific
method
• Perception precedes understanding,
which leads to acceptance

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 Is there a scientific method?
2. Approximation,
Assumption and
Uncertainty
• Assumptions guide us in
dealing with uncertainty
• Approximation helps us to
that

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 Is there a scientific method?
2. Approximation,
Assumption and
Uncertainty
• Discovery lies somewhere
between hypothesis and
serendipity
• Inventions and discoveries are
built on the little things that,
when brought together, make
sense

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 Is there a scientific method?
2. Approximation, Assumption and Uncertainty
• Categories of scientific investigations:
1. Observational investigation: What do we have here?

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 Is there a scientific method?
2. Approximation, Assumption and Uncertainty
• Categories of scientific investigations
2. Controlled what-if? Experiment: I wonder what will happen if?

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 Is there a scientific method?
2. Approximation, Assumption and Uncertainty
• Categories of scientific investigations:
3. Explanation-seeking experiment: What caused it to that?

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 TOPIC 2: Is there a scientific method?
2. Approximation, Assumption and Uncertainty
• Categories of scientific investigations:
4. Modelling what-if? Experiment: If I understand things correctly, I can predict
how this thing can handle under different circumstances

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 Is there a scientific method?
2. Approximation, Assumption and Uncertainty
• Categories of scientific investigations:
5. Problem-solving approach: I don’t care how you do it, just fix it!

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 Is there a scientific method?
3. Interplay of technology,
science, and the scientific
method
• It has changed the way we view,
perceive, and understand the
world
• Led to the creation of protocols,
organisms, and other inventions
• Addresses practical problems or
services
• This is TECHNOLOGY

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