Chapter 1 The Nature of Scientific Knowledge

Question 1

Draw the cycle of Scientific Enterprise.

Answer 1

Question 2

Define Science.

Answer 2

Science is the process of using experiment, observation, and logical thinking to build “mental models” (theories) of the natural world.

Question 3

Define Theory.

Answer 3

A theory is a model (or representation) that seeks to account for and explain the related facts and provide the means for producing new hypotheses.

Question 4

Define Hypothesis.

Answer 4

A hypothesis is a testable informed prediction based on a theory, of what will happen in certain circumstances.

Question 5

Define Scientific Fact.

Answer 5

A scientific fact is a proposition supported by a great deal of evidence that is correct so far as we know.

Question 6

Describe how we obtain knowledge of scientific facts?

Answer 6

Scientific facts are discovered by observation and experiment and by making inferences from what we observe of from the results of our experiments.

Question 7

Define Truth.

Answer 7

Truth is the way things really are.

Question 8

Describe how we obtain knowledge of truth.

Answer 8

Truth is revealed to us by God through His word and through nature, and known by direct observation, or valid reasoning from true premises.

Question 9

Describe General Revelation.

Answer 9

General Revelation refers to the truths God teaches us through the world He made.

Question 10

Describe Special Revelation.

Answer 10

Special Revelation is truths taught to us in the Bible.

Question 11

Describe the “cycle of scientific enterprise.”

Answer 11

Facts are observations and the results of experiments.
Theories are our best explanation at the present of the facts.
Hypotheses are informed predictions based on theories.
Experiments put hypotheses to the test.
Analysis of the experiment determine if the results are consistent with the theory.
If yes, the theory is strengthened.
If no, reconsider experimental methods, appropriateness of hypothesis, and adequacy of theory.

Question 12

Describe the two main characteristics of a theory.

Answer 12

A theory must account for and explain most or all of the related facts.

A theory enables new hypotheses to be formed and tested.

Question 13

Explain what is meant by the statement, “a theory is a model.”

Answer 13

A theory is a representation of how part of the world works and used to make predictions.

Question 14

Describe the role of theories in scientific research.

Answer 14

Theories allow us to make predictions about the natural world. Theses predictions (hypotheses) can be tested by experiment. A theory becomes stronger by producing predictions that are confirmed by experiment. A theory is weakened when new experimental results repeatedly turn out to be inconsistent with the theory.

Question 15

State the steps of “the scientific method.”

Answer 15

1. State the problem.
2. Research the problem.
3. Form a hypothesis.
4. Conduct an experiment.
5. Collect data.
6. Analyze data.
7. Form a conclusion.
8. Repeat the work.

Question 16

Define explanatory, response, and lurking variable in the context of an experiment.

Answer 16

The explanatory variable is manipulated by researchers in an experiment.
Researcher monitor the effect of the explanatory variable on the response variable.
Lurking variables affect the response variable without the researchers being aware of it.

Question 17

Explain why why experiments are designed to test only one explanatory variable at a time.

Answer 17

If more than one explanatory variable were changing during the experiment researchers may not be able to tell which one was causing the effect on the response variable.

Question 18

Explain the the purpose of the control group in an experiment.

Answer 18

Test subjects are divided into two groups, the experiment group and control group. The control group receives standard or no treatment. The experimental group receives the new treatment being studied. Results from the experimental group is compared to the results in the control group.

Question 19

Describe the possible implications of a negative experimental result.

Answer 19

If the hypothesis in not confirmed, researchers will question experimental methods, the appropriateness of the hypothesis, and adequacy of the theory.

Question 20

Explain why a single experiment can never prove or disprove a theory.

Answer 20

First of all, no theory is ever “proven” or “disproven,” because a theory accounts for and explains all or most of the facts and takes decades or centuries to develop—they are not just wild guesses. Secondly, if an experiment results in new facts that a theory does not account for, the experiment needs to be replicated many times by teams across the world before the theory is considered to have a weakness. If enough weakness appear over time, the theory comes to be recognized as a model in need of improvement or replacement. Even then, a new theory may take decades to develop, as it will need to account for all of the old facts as well as the new ones.

Question 21

It is common to hear people say, “I don’t accept that. It’s just a theory. What is the problem with such a statement?

Answer 21

It’s inappropriate to say that something is “just a theory.” Strong theories actually account for most, if not all, of the related facts, and they are the glory and goal of scientific research. Often, theories take decades or even centuries to be established. Therefore, we don’t speak dismissively about them because they are not just guesses.