Team Oceanography Flashcards
This chapter explores the scientific method and the team approach of oceanographers from all disciplines and walks of life. This is how we know and understand the ocean as a system.
scientific method
the systematic and self-correcting set of practices that scientists use to discover knowledge about the natural world
activity model of the scientific method
the interactive, back-and-forth, collaborative approach of teams of scientists for discovering knowledge about the natural world
scientific inquiry
a general term to describe the diverse approaches scientists use to investigate the natural world
scientific question
a well-formed question that lends itself to investigation using the scientific method
chain of reasoning
a logical extension of previous scientific work on a problem
physical model
a scaled-down, three-dimensional, semirealistic representation of a physical object, or part of nature
mathematical models
simple or complex mathematical expressions or sets of expressions to describe or simulate how something works
hypothesis
a carefully worded, conditional, and testable explanation of how nature works
falsification
the process of disproving a hypothesis
deductive reasoning
the approach of eliminating all possible hypotheses until only one cannot be disproven
inductive reasoning
the process of extracting general principles and possible hypotheses from a limited set of observations or data
abductive reasoning
coming to a conclusion based on experience, especially where data are limited
hypothetico-deductive approach
the general process of generating and falsifying hypotheses based on observations or experiments
laboratory investigation
a scientific investigation carried out in a laboratory
oceangoing investigation
a scientific investigation carried out at sea or in the natural environment
field investigation
a scientific investigation carried out at sea or in the natural environment
robotic investigation
a scientific investigation that employs robotic devices to make observations and measurements of the natural world or under artificially created conditions
time-series investigation
a scientific investigation that observes and measures natural processes over time
animal-tagging investigation
a scientific investigation that use animal-attached sensors to obtain observations or measurements of natural processes, generally in places inaccessible to humans
aerial investigation
a scientific investigation that employs sensors aboard manned or unmanned airborne platforms to make observations or obtain measurements of natural processes
spaceborne investigation
a scientific investigation that employs sensors aboard Earth-orbiting platforms to make observations and obtain measurements of Earth’s surface
computer modeling investigation
a scientific investigation that uses computers to visualize or quantify natural processes
numerical models
computer models that solve sets of mathematical equations to make forecasts or projections of natural processes at some time in the future
operational oceanography
the acquisition and dissemination of oceanographic and meteorological information useful to navigating or carrying out activities in the ocean
nowcasts
forecasts of ocean or atmospheric conditions in near real-time
big data
a subdiscipline of computer science for analyzing data sets whose size or complexity exceeds the capabilities of traditional software and computers
fourth paradigm
the use of computers to explore and mine big data for information
marine big data
the enormous volumes of oceanographic data now available and growing daily
artificial intelligence
a broad category of computer science that aims to mimic how humans think, act, and adapt
scientific discussion
the presentation in oral or written form of the conclusions of a particular scientific study
bias
a less-than-objective, partial view of evidence
peer review
the process whereby scientists receive feedback on their work by other scientists and experts
science communication
the widespread and transparent dissemination of scientific knowledge and understanding, especially in a manner accessible to the public
