Definition of Terms, Branches of Science, Scientific method and its Limitations Flashcards
defined as the system of knowledge of the natural world gained through the scientific method. It was originally called “philosophy of the natural world” since it is stemmed from the ancient Greeks’ to know about nature.
science
tekhne
art or craft
logia
subject or interest
the first scientists were called:
“Philosophers of nature.”
They sought to discover the truth behind material things and natural things. It was the task of philosophers to observe the world and beyond, and to discover what makes materials the same and what makes them different
scientists
the applications of what we know about nature using scientific principles for the betterment of human situation
technology
emerged in the fifteenth century
society
French word of society
société
The French word, in turn, had its origin in the Latin
societas
“Friendly association with others,”
societas
“Companion, associate, comrade or business partner.”
socius
its members share some mutual concern or interest, a common objective or common characteristics, often a common culture
society
characterized by common interest and may have distinctive culture and institution.
may also include an organized group of people with political, cultural, religious, patriotic and other purposes
society
derives theories and predictions.
deals with the study of natural phenomena through observation, experimentation and use of scientific methods
natural science or pure science
Deals with abstract concepts; uses mental faculties
formal science
behavior of individuals and groups
social science
“Technology” focuses on developing a product that can be used in solving world problems
applied science
nonliving things like physics, chemistry, astronomy, history, economy, sociology, engineering, etc.
physical science
living things like biology, zoology, psychology, etc.
life science
Biology and Chemistry
biochemistry
Geology and Physics
geophysics
Astronomy + Biology + Physics
Astrobiophysics
Study life in outer space
astrobiology
Geology and biology
geobiology
Biology from natural sciences and statistics
Biostatistics
s step- by- step method used to solve problems and explain phenomena.
The development of this coincided with changes in philosophy underpinning scientific discovery, radically transforming the views of society about nature.
scientific method
During the European Renaissance, they formalized the concept of the scientific method and put it into practice.
Francis Bacon, Galileo, and Isaac Newton
Prior to investigation
this stage frequently requires background research necessary to understand the subject matter and past work on similar ideas.
step 1: the observation and question
based on prior knowledge.
an “uncertain explanation” or an unproven conjecture that seeks to explain some phenomenon based on knowledge obtained while executing subsequent experiments or observations.
step 2: hypothesis
is one that generates testable predictions, addressed through observations or experiments.
testable hypothesis
one that, through observation of conflicting outcomes, can be proven wrong.
falsifiable hypothesis
tested against the alternative hypothesis and reflects that there will be no observed change in the experiment.
null hypothesis
is the predicted outcome of the experiment. If the null hypothesis is rejected, then this builds evidence
alternative hypothesis
Either way, the next step is to make more observations or to conduct experiments leading to conclusions. Following the formulation of hypotheses, scientists plan and conduct experiments to test their hypotheses. These experiments provide data that will either support or falsify the hypothesis.
Step 3: Experimentation and Data Collection
refers to observations that can be made simply using one’s senses, be that through sight, sound, taste, smell, or touch.
Qualitative information
ones in which precise measurements of some type are used to investigate one’s hypothesis.
quantitative observations
a procedure designed to determine whether observations of the real world agree with or refute the derived predictions in the hypothesis.
experiment
another critical step in the scientific method and can have a great effect on the results and conclusions
experimental design
Two types of variables are used to describe the conditions in an experiment
independent variable and dependent variable
directly manipulated or controlled by the scientist and is generally what one predicts will affect the dependent variable.
independent variable
or response, variable thus depends on the value of the independent variable.
dependent variable
represents a non-manipulated treatment condition.
kept in the same conditions as the experimental treatment, but the experimental manipulation is not applied to the control
control treatment
involves determining what the results from the experiment mean. Scientists compare the predictions of their null hypothesis to that of their alternative hypothesis to determine if they are able to reject the null hypothesis.
Step 4: Results and Data Analysis
there is a significant probability that values of the dependent variable in the control versus experimental treatments are not equal to each other.
Rejecting the null hypothesis
The last portion of the scientific method involves providing explanations of the results and the conclusions that can be logically drawn from the results.
Step 5: Conclusions
