1. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
What is Science?
What is science?
Science is a way of knowing based on experimental or observational evidence and its interpretation.
Science is a discipline largely defined by its primary method – the scientific method.
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010

2. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
How (Most) Science Works – The Scientific Method and Hypothesis-Driven Science
Makmmma
Starts with an observation than you use prior knowledge (Inference) to develop a hypothesis. The hypothesis has to be testable.
Should be testable.
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010

3. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
A Classic Application of the Scientific Method
Note that it’s fine to have more than one testable hypothesis.
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010

4. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
A Classic Application of the Scientific Method
Note that two independent experiments reject the hypothesis of spontaneous generation and support the alternative hypothesis that life comes only from existing life.
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010

5. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
Scientific Proof?
Rejection of a hypothesis proves it wrong; support of a hypothesis doesn’t prove it right.
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010

6. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
Scientific Ideas Can Only Be Proven Wrong
A theory stands because it can be tested over and over again getting the same results.
This doesn’t prove the theory is correct – only that its never been proved wrong.
In this sense, scientific knowledge can change.
But what’s a theory?
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010

7. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
Fact, Hypothesis and Theory
These terms, especially theory, are commonly misunderstood.
A fact is an undisputed piece of information derived from observation.
A hypothesis is a testable prediction.
A good hypothesis should be falsifiable.
A theory is a general set of principles that explain some natural phenomenon.
Examples of scientific theories are the theory of gravitation, the atomic theory, the cell theory, and the theory of evolution.
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010

8. Nature of Science, Chapter 1
11/10/2018
How Does Society Understand
Biology and Biologists?
Science and scientists of all kinds are poorly understood by the public and scientists tend to poorly understand the public
G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010