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What is Science?

What is Science?. Common sense raised to a higher level and applied systematically. A “way of knowing”. Other “Ways of Knowing”. Characteristics of Science. Guided by natural laws. 2) Explained in reference to natural law. 3) Things (results, conclusions) are falsifiable.

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What is Science?

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  1. What is Science? • Common sense raised to a higher level and applied systematically • A “way of knowing”

  2. Other “Ways of Knowing”

  3. Characteristics of Science • Guided by natural laws 2) Explained in reference to natural law 3) Things (results, conclusions) are falsifiable

  4. Types of Science • Discovery Science 2) Hypothesis-Driven Science

  5. Discovery Science • Goal = find natural cause of natural phenomena; descriptions • structure and process of observable things • e.g., mapping the human genome; finding and describing a new species • relies on inductive reasoning

  6. Scientific Reasoning • Induction: “…elementary my dear Watson….” • Deduction: (hypothetico-deductive reasoning) = • If all organisms are made of cells AND • Humans are organisms, THEN • Humans are made of cells

  7. Hypothesis-Driven Science • Follows a set process (scientific method) • Relies on deductive reasoning • Relies on hypothesis formation & experimentation

  8. Process of Science • Scientific method: means by which a scientist seeks to gain new knowledge or explain natural phenomenon

  9. Process of Science • Observe a problem 2) Recognize a problem 3) State an hypothesis (tentative answer to problem to which a prediction should follow) 4) Conduct an experiment (=test prediction) 5) Postulate theory (a comprehensive explanation for a pattern of broad scope based on large data set)

  10. Reject Fail to Reject

  11. Process of ScienceObservations

  12. Process of ScienceQuestion • So what? …. Why would snowberry flies look like their predator? Hypothesis Prediction

  13. Why a Control Group? • Allows honing into causative factors by reducing variance of other explanations

  14. Take-home message 1.4 • The scientific method (observation, hypothesis, prediction, test, and conclusion) is a flexible, adaptable, and efficient pathway to understanding the world because it tells us when we must change our beliefs.

  15. 1.5 Step 1: Make observations. Look for interesting patterns or cause-and-effect relationships.

  16. Does taking echinacea reduce the intensity or duration of the common cold?

  17. 1.6 Step 2: Formulate a hypothesis. A proposed explanation for observed phenomena

  18. To be most useful, a hypothesis must accomplish two things:

  19. The Null Hypothesis • A negative statement that proposes that there is no relationship between two factors • These hypotheses are equally valid but are easier to disprove. • An alternative hypothesis • It is impossible to prove a hypothesis is absolutely and permanently true.

  20. Null and Alternative Hypotheses • Echinacea reduces the duration and severity of the symptoms of the common cold. Or as a null hypothesis: • Echinacea has no effect on the duration or severity of the symptoms of the common cold.

  21. 1.7 Step 3: Devise a testable prediction. Suggest that under certain conditions we will make certain observations.

  22. Devising a Testable Prediction from a Hypothesis The goal is to:

  23. Hypothesis: Echinacea reduces the duration and severity of the symptoms of the common cold.

  24. 1.8 Step 4: Conduct a critical experiment. an experiment that makes it possible to decisively determine whether a particular hypothesis is correct

  25. Hypothesis: Echinacea reduces the duration and severity of the symptoms of the common cold.

  26. 1.9 Step 5: Draw conclusions, make revisions. Trial and error

  27. The Role of Experiments • What is important is that we attempt to demonstrate that our initial hypothesis is not supported by the data.

  28. Making Revisions • Try to further refine a hypothesis. • Make new and more specific testable predictions.

  29. Does echinacea help prevent the common cold? Hypothesis: Echinacea reduces the duration and severity of the symptoms of the common cold.

  30. Take-home message 1.9

  31. Process of Science Hypothesis vs. Theory * Gray wolves form packs to increase their efficiency in securing food. * Pack formation in many species has evolved via natural selection.

  32. Scientific Theory • An explanation of the causes of a wide range of related phenomena

  33. Limits of Science

  34. Scientists Raise Questions The external world, not internal conviction, must be the testing ground for scientific beliefs

  35. Read Street Bio, p 30

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