First set of notes on the Nature of Science (the Scientific Method).

2. What is Science?
Science is a
process that uses
observations and
investigations to
gain knowledge
about nature.

3. • Must be capable of being disproved.
• Must incorporate existing knowledge.
• Must be able to absorb new findings.
• Must be capable of predicting outcomes.
• Must be stated in clear, unambiguous
language.
• Must be part of an ongoing process to
gain knowledge and understanding.
Requirements
for Science

4. • Cannot answer questions
about the supernatural.
• Cannot answer questions
about morality.
• Is not democratic.
Limits of
Science

5. What is the
Scientific Method?
- an organized set of
investigational procedures
-usually presented as steps
to be followed

6. 1. State the
Problem
• Why?
• How?
• Should be stated in a clear
and concise manner

7. 2.Gather Information
& Make Observations
Learn about the
background of the
problem from:
–Your own research
–Research from other
scientists

8. 2.Gather Information
& Make Observations
2 types of observations:
Qualitative: describe
characteristics, but do
NOT involve numbers
(He is tall.)
Quantitative: involve
measurements and
numbers (He is 6’11”).

9. 3.Form a
Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is NOT a guess.
• A prediction of what you think will
happen under certain conditions
based on what you know from
observations or research.
• State your prediction in measurable
terms so that it can be tested.

10. 10
4. Test the
Hypothesis
• An experiment is a set of
steps you follow to test a
hypothesis
• The procedure or steps of
your experiment should be
very detailed.

11. 5. List and Analyze
the Results

12. 6. Draw a
Conclusion
• Looking at the results and
comparing them with the problem
• Was your hypothesis correct?
• WHY or WHY NOT? Explain!!!
• A clear and concise answer to the
orginal question.

13. 7. Report
Results
• The results and conclusions are
communicated to the public or
published in a scientific journal.
• This is important both to
disseminate knowledge and to
allow other scientists to test,
replicate, and question the results.

14. Repeatability
• If the experiment is well-designed, then
the outcome should be the same
whenever the experiment is replicated.
• Repeatability, getting the same results
every time, is an important requirement of
science and a major difference between
science and other ways of gaining
knowledge.

15. Review: Scientific
Method
1.State the Problem
2.Gather Information
and make
Observations
3.Form a Hypothesis
4. Test the
hypothesis.
5. List and Analyze
the Results
6. Draw a
Conclusion
7. Report Results

16. An Important
Note!
• The steps presented are VERY simplified
in order to introduce the main features of
scientific thinking.
• In reality, scientists engage in many
different activities in many different
sequences. Investigations often involve
repeating the same steps many times to
account for new information and ideas.

17. In Other
Words…
the process of science
is exciting, dynamic,
and unpredictable.
Science relies on
creative people
thinking outside the
box!