The Nature of Science

“When you think about it, the fossil record is like a series of photographs: frozen moments from what is really a moving, ongoing reality. Looking at the fossil record is like thumbing through a family photo album. You know that the album isn't complete. You know life happens in between, you only have the pictures. So you study them, and study them. And pretty soon, you begin to think of the album not as a series of moments, but as reality itself." (p. 192 of Michael Crichton's The Lost World).

Essentials in Scientific Study Data: What can be sensed directly; observations of the natural world. Prior Knowledge: What we believe to be true about the world; and Beliefs information we bring to a situation based on previous experience. Inferences: Conclusions drawn from what we see (observe) and what we know; in other words, our interpretation of data based on our prior knowledge and beliefs.

The Nature of Science Science has its limits Cannot be used to solve everything Can only address the natural world Natural explanations are testable Scientific knowledge is inherently uncertain Relative level of confidence While some scientific ideas might be thoroughly tested and are fairly reliable, others are speculative/guesses Science can be done poorly, and it can be misused Science is a very social process People must collaborate Results and analyses must be communicated Science is influenced by our culture

The Nature of Science Scientific observations, data and understandings maybe snapshots in time. There may be gaps

The Scientific Method Observation or Ask a Question Background Research Hypothesis Test Hypothesis/Experimentation Collect Data/Results Analyze Data Draw Conclusions Communicate Your Results