Introduction to Science Overview

Study Notes

Introduction to Science

Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
It uses observation, experimentation, and reasoning to investigate natural phenomena.
Scientific knowledge is constantly being revised and updated as new evidence emerges.

Branches of Science

Natural Sciences: Study of the natural world. Examples include Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Science.
Social Sciences: Study of human behavior and societies. Examples include Psychology, Sociology, and Economics.

Scientific Method

Observation: Careful watching and recording of natural phenomena.
Question: Formulating questions about the observed phenomena.
Hypothesis: A proposed explanation for the observed phenomena; a testable statement that can be proven or disproven.
Prediction: A statement of what might happen if the hypothesis is correct.
Experimentation: A controlled test of the hypothesis to verify or disprove the prediction.
Analysis: Interpreting the results of the experiment.
Conclusion: Determining if the hypothesis is supported or rejected based on the analysis.

Key Concepts in Science

Cause and Effect: Identifying factors that lead to particular outcomes.
Correlation: Describing a relationship between two variables, but not necessarily a cause-effect relation.
Variables: Factors that can change in an experiment. Independent variable is manipulated, dependent variable is measured.
Control Group: A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested; used for comparison.
Peer Review: Evaluating scientific work by other scientists in the same field to ensure validity and quality.
Scientific Models: Simplified representations of complex phenomena to aid understanding. They can be physical, mathematical, or conceptual.

Scientific Laws vs. Theories

Scientific Laws: Describe observed regularities or patterns in nature. They are concise descriptions of what happens.
Scientific Theories: Broad explanations that encompass multiple observations, laws, and hypotheses. Theories are well-supported by evidence but can be refined or replaced by new evidence.

Scientific Reasoning

Deductive Reasoning: Applying general principles to specific situations to reach a conclusion; if A is true, then B must be true.
Inductive Reasoning: Drawing general conclusions from specific observations; based on patterns observed in data.

Ethical Considerations in Science

Importance of objectivity and honesty in scientific research.
Responsible use of scientific knowledge and technology.
Avoiding bias and ensuring ethical treatment of subjects in research, especially in situations involving human or animal participants.

The Nature of Scientific Knowledge

Tentative: Scientific knowledge is always subject to revision as new evidence arises.
Empirical: Based on observations and experimentation.
Falsifiable: A scientific hypothesis must be testable in a way that could potentially disprove it.

Description

Explore the fundamentals of science, including its definitions, branches, and the scientific method. Understand how scientific knowledge is constructed and revised through observation and experimentation. This quiz will enhance your grasp of both natural and social sciences.