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44 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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science
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process by which people understand nature & natural history
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primary sciences
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physics & chemistry
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physics
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study of matter, energy, forces, & motions
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chemistry
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study of matter & energy @ the atomic & molecular level
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secondary (derived) sciences
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astronomy, geology, biology
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astronomy
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study of the universe & its origin
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geology
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study of the planets, especially earth
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biology
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study of life in the universe
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tertiary sciences
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health sciences including medicine, technology, environmental sciences...
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why study science?
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1. provides powerful, objective methods for understanding how nature works
2. provides frameworks for understanding what we see 3. gives us a unique view of order & symmetry, concepts of natural aspects that are too small to see (atoms), vast differences & expanses of time 4. gives us the best way to predict future natural events & to discover new materials & processes |
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scientific method
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an objective method of asking & answering questions that yields reproducible results
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observations
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objective description of nature without manipulation or interpretation; must be made independent from preconceptions; done w/ a question in mind; should be reproducible
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experiments
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controlled manipulation of nature with a plan to observe the results; planned with a specific hypothesis or question in mind; results should be reproducible
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pattern recognition
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collecting & graphing data obtained via observation &/or experimentation; correlation between or among observed or experimented variables; use of mathematical equations to communicate relationships between variables; should not be guided by preconceptions
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hypothesis
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tentative explanation of observed or experimental data, or 1 of several possible tentative explanations
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cycling in the method
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restarting the method after hypothesis development to make further observations or conduct further experiments; producing successively more detailed & exact understanding of nature
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theory
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a highly advanced hypothesis that has been tested many times over a period of time by many researchers; it represents a well-tested explanation of more than 1 simple phenomenon
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prediciton
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an expected result or effect anticipated as a result of application of a hypothesis or theory
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testing
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used to find out the range of situations under which a hypothesis or theory is valid; doesn't prove or disprove a theory, but may help discredit a hypothesis
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law of nature
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an overarching of how the universe works
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verbal equation
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ex: distance traveled is proportional to the square of time traveled
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equation statement
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ex: distance=constant x (time)^2
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basic research
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knowledge for its own sake; pure science that leads to no specified end result & for which the application or implication may not be understood for some time, if ever; not designed to affect society
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applied research
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knowledge with specific goals in mind (commercial, industrial, military, etc.)
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greek view
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the senses can't be trusted, so we can never know what is really real. the phsycial world will never put us in contact w/ reality. it's very difficult to break free of illusion. objective observation is extremely difficult or impossible
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medieval view
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devout trust in received wisdom must replace any human reason as the ultimate tool in the quest for truth in science. observation can't contradict received wisdom
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renaissance view
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making objective observations, controlled experiments, & precise measurements is the best way to learn about nature. there are no absolute truths in nature & every idea is open to scientific testing
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breakthrough
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scientist or group of scientists make discoveries about as-yet undetected patterns or correlations (relationships) in nature
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dimitri mendeleev (1834-1907)
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recognized that chemical elements w/ similar properties appear @ regular or periodic intervals in an organized chart of chemical elements that he prepared for anew book (origin of the period table of elements that is fundamental to modern chemistry)
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william harvey (1578-1657)
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used dissection & various experiments to show that blood circulates in the human body through veins & arteries
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pseudoscience
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way of knowing that some people employ. not testable science & the results are not reproducible. requires an illogical faith or belief that takes it outside the realm of science, which is inherently open minded
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examples of pseudoscience
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creationism, ESP (extra sensory perception), ufology (study of ufos), astrology, crystal power, reincarnation, etc.
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problems w/ pseudoscience
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1. facts presented are not always accurate & further investigation shows errors or deceptions
2. alternative, simpler explanations for observations are commonly ignored in favor of preferred explanation 3. explanations offered are not capable of being shown wrong 4. explanations are not rigorously tested, especially by persons who hold opposing views or are skeptical 5. explanations require existing theories to be greatly modified & many existing facts & observations to be ignored of an alternative hypothesis |
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hollywood's stereotype of a scientist
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absent minded/ detached from reality
nerdy odd white coat malevolent intent eccentric genius self-centered villain caucasian male |
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reasons that people become scientists
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follow role-models
extension of childhood curiosity love for learning & school personal fulfillment desire to help others & society interest in natural things & nature innate inquisitive nature desire to be part of a community of scholars enjoy making discoveries quest for a successful career desire to be a professional |
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how scientists communicate
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informal discussions w/ colleagues
departmental seminars scientific meeting research papers to scientific journals |
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scientific meeting
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presentation of papers before a seated audience typically organized by a scientific society
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how scientists obtain funding
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grants
funding agencies |
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grant
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request for funding of a carefully planned & fully described plan of basic or applied research; the typically seeks answers to specific questions or is designed to obtain a specific work product; rationale for research is fully described & budget is fully justified; subjected to peer-review & decision of a granting committee
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granting committee
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reads the grant, peer-reviews, & has a group discussion on the merits of the project
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funding agencies
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mostly governmental in the US but there are smaller private foundations that fund some scientific research in the US
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US government funding agencies
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Departments Of:
Environmental Protection Agency NASA National Institutes of Health National Institutes of NOAA National Science Foundation (NSF) |
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"big" science
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(ex: huge effort to develop & assemble the International Space Station, mapping the human genome) involves many groups of scientists @ many different institutions over many years & consumes huge amounts of money & grant dollars
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"little" science
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work being done by individual scientists, work in a university laboratory, collectively comprises a lot of work, based on less money, shorter spans of time
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