Core Concepts of Science

Study Notes

Core Concepts of Science

Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
It relies on empirical evidence, meaning it draws conclusions from observable phenomena and experimental data.
Science uses a process known as the scientific method to investigate the natural world.

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a framework for systematic investigation involving:
- Observation: Recognizing a phenomenon worthy of study.
- Questioning: Posing a specific, testable question about the observation.
- Hypothesis Formation: Developing a testable explanation or prediction (hypothesis) for the question.
- Prediction: Formulating specific predictions that would be true if the hypothesis were correct.
- Experimentation: Designing and conducting experiments to test the prediction. Data collection and analysis.
- Conclusion: Evaluating the data and drawing conclusions based upon its support or refutation of the hypothesis. This may lead to further investigation or refinement of hypothesis.
The scientific method is iterative; results often lead to new questions and further experiments.

Branches of Science

Natural sciences: Focus on the physical world and its phenomena.
- Physics: Studies matter, energy, motion, force, and the fundamental laws governing the universe.
- Chemistry: Studies the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
- Biology: Studies living organisms and their interactions. This can include:
  - Botany: Studies plants
  - Zoology: Studies animals
  - Ecology: Studies the interactions among organisms and their environment.
Earth science: Studies the Earth's composition, structure, processes, and history, including:
- Geology: Studies the Earth's physical structure, processes, and history.
- Meteorology: Studies atmospheric phenomena.
- Oceanography: Studies the oceans.
Social sciences: Study human behavior and societies.
- Psychology: Examines mental processes and behavior.
- Sociology: Examines human societies and social behavior.
- Economics: Studies production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Scientific Principles

Objectivity: Scientists strive to avoid bias and rely only on empirical evidence.
Reproducibility: Experiments should be able to be repeated by others, getting similar results.
Falsifiability: A scientific hypothesis must be testable and potentially disproven by evidence. A hypothesis that cannot be tested or falsified is not considered a scientific hypothesis.
Peer Review: Scientists share their work with other experts in the field to receive feedback and scrutiny before publication. This helps ensure validity and accuracy.
Skepticism: A healthy skepticism about claims and results is a cornerstone of science.

Scientific Models and Theories

Models: Simplified representations of complex systems or processes used to understand or predict their behavior.
Theories: Well-supported explanations of natural phenomena based on a large body of evidence. They are far more comprehensive than hypotheses and are constantly refined or replaced with better explanations as evidence evolves.

Science and Society

Science impacts every aspect of our lives, providing tools and insights that influence technological advances, social policy, and personal choices.
The role of science in addressing global challenges such as climate change, disease, and resource management is crucial.

Description

Explore the fundamental principles of science, including the systematic nature of scientific inquiry and the scientific method. Learn about the steps involved in forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of how science organizes knowledge and investigates the natural world.