THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE

Assumptions  Nature is real, understandable, knowable through observation  Nature is orderly and uniform  Measurements yield knowledge of the thing measured  Natural laws are not affected by time

 Fact A thing that has actually happened or is true The state of things as they are; reality; truth  Observation The act, practice, or power of observing, or noticing A noting and recording of facts and events The data so noted and recorded  Phenomenon (observable event) Any fact or event that is apparent to the senses and can be scientifically described The appearance of something experienced as distinguished from the thing itself

Hypothesis  Inductive Reasoning: Reasoning from particular facts to a general conclusion.  Hypothesis: An unproved theory, proposition, etc. tentatively accepted to explain certain facts or to provide a basis for further investigation, argument, study, etc.

Prediction – The Basis for Directed Observations and Experiments  Deductive reasoning: The process of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises; inference by reasoning from the general to the specific. IF; THEN: predicting things that would happen if a hypothesis is correct.

Experiments  Variables: things that can vary or change  Control of variables: constant or uniform  Experimental variable: what you are experimenting with  Control group: reference point  Objective data: clear with no overlap  Dependent and independent variables

Replication

Theories  A formulation of apparent relationships or underlying principles of certain observed phenomena which has been verified to some degree.  With sufficient verification, a Theory may come to be referred to as a Principle or a Law

Scientific Method: a Flashlight example