The Nature of Science
The tenets of the nature of science
A newer way of looking at science is to address the so-called tenets of the nature of science. These tenets setup how science really exists and leaves the more rigid scientific method in the past. The tenets describe science in a manner that shows what scientists actually do.
1. Scientific ideas are durable, yet are subject to change.
2. Science avoids bias.
3. The natural world is understandable.
4. Science is a blend of logic and imagination.
5. Science is a social activity.
6. Science demands evidence.
A newer way of looking at science is to address the so-called tenets of the nature of science. These tenets setup how science really exists and leaves the more rigid scientific method in the past. The tenets describe science in a manner that shows what scientists actually do.
1. Scientific ideas are durable, yet are subject to change.
2. Science avoids bias.
3. The natural world is understandable.
4. Science is a blend of logic and imagination.
5. Science is a social activity.
6. Science demands evidence.
The scientific method
By comparison, I consider the scientific method to be too rigid. While it does describe the "steps" of doing science, it never seemed to fit into how I understood how science works. The traditional steps of the scientific method are as follows:
1. Question
2. Hypothesize
3. Experiment
4. Observe and record
5. Analyze
6. Share results (Conclusion)
I personally squeeze these 6 steps down into 3: Question; Answer (hypothesis); Test (experiment). I see these 3 steps as the essential components of the scientific method and is really done almost everyday. Think about getting in your car and turning the key only to have the car not start. Question: Why won't my car start? Hypothesis: My battery is dead. Experiment: Have somebody jump the car and see if it starts. If it doesn't work, your hypothesis was wrong, but you don't stop. You come up with another hypothesis and test that one until your car starts or until you find out what's wrong. So, we do science all the time. It's just a way of understanding the world around us.
By comparison, I consider the scientific method to be too rigid. While it does describe the "steps" of doing science, it never seemed to fit into how I understood how science works. The traditional steps of the scientific method are as follows:
1. Question
2. Hypothesize
3. Experiment
4. Observe and record
5. Analyze
6. Share results (Conclusion)
I personally squeeze these 6 steps down into 3: Question; Answer (hypothesis); Test (experiment). I see these 3 steps as the essential components of the scientific method and is really done almost everyday. Think about getting in your car and turning the key only to have the car not start. Question: Why won't my car start? Hypothesis: My battery is dead. Experiment: Have somebody jump the car and see if it starts. If it doesn't work, your hypothesis was wrong, but you don't stop. You come up with another hypothesis and test that one until your car starts or until you find out what's wrong. So, we do science all the time. It's just a way of understanding the world around us.
Science Terminology
One of the biggest challenges facing science right now is how people understand the words science uses. Two words in particular stand out: Fact and Theory.
Science Usage Everyday Usage
Theory: An explanation, or model, of facts A hunch; a guess
Fact: An observation; information collected with the 5 senses An absolute; cannot be argued
To these can be added "law," which in the scientific sense means a description of facts. On the surface, theory and law are very similar, but should not be confused if you understand that a theory is an explanation and a law is a description.
One of the biggest challenges facing science right now is how people understand the words science uses. Two words in particular stand out: Fact and Theory.
Science Usage Everyday Usage
Theory: An explanation, or model, of facts A hunch; a guess
Fact: An observation; information collected with the 5 senses An absolute; cannot be argued
To these can be added "law," which in the scientific sense means a description of facts. On the surface, theory and law are very similar, but should not be confused if you understand that a theory is an explanation and a law is a description.
Measurement
In science, we use the Systeme International d'Unites (SI) for measuring things. This is typically called the metric system because the standard unit of measure for length is the meter. The SI system (redundant, I know) makes use of prefixes to simplify the units. The value of the prefix is the same no matter the base unit: (meter - length; liter - volume; gram - mass). These prefixes are based on the power of 10.
Kilo = 1000 This means that a 1 km = 1000 m.
Hecto = 100 1 g = 1000 mg
Deka = 10 1 cm = 10 mm
Base
Deci = 0.1
Centi = 0.01
Milli = 0.001
To convert from one unit to the next, just multiply or divide by a power of 10. To go from unit a to unit b, follow this rule: if a > b, then you multiply by the conversion factor; if a < b, then you divide by the conversion factor.
The most important measurement in Earth Science is density. Density is the measure of the amount of matter in a given space (mass/volume). There is no specialized unit for density; you just carry the units through (g/mL). We find density in weather, space, rocks, oceans...everywhere!
In science, we use the Systeme International d'Unites (SI) for measuring things. This is typically called the metric system because the standard unit of measure for length is the meter. The SI system (redundant, I know) makes use of prefixes to simplify the units. The value of the prefix is the same no matter the base unit: (meter - length; liter - volume; gram - mass). These prefixes are based on the power of 10.
Kilo = 1000 This means that a 1 km = 1000 m.
Hecto = 100 1 g = 1000 mg
Deka = 10 1 cm = 10 mm
Base
Deci = 0.1
Centi = 0.01
Milli = 0.001
To convert from one unit to the next, just multiply or divide by a power of 10. To go from unit a to unit b, follow this rule: if a > b, then you multiply by the conversion factor; if a < b, then you divide by the conversion factor.
The most important measurement in Earth Science is density. Density is the measure of the amount of matter in a given space (mass/volume). There is no specialized unit for density; you just carry the units through (g/mL). We find density in weather, space, rocks, oceans...everywhere!