Key Concepts in Science

Definition: Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

Natural Sciences: Study of natural phenomena.
- Physics: Study of matter, energy, and forces.
- Chemistry: Study of substances and their interactions.
- Biology: Study of living organisms and life processes.
Social Sciences: Study of societies and human behavior.
- Psychology: Study of the mind and behavior.
- Sociology: Study of social behavior and structures.
- Economics: Study of production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
Formal Sciences: Study of abstract concepts.
- Mathematics: Study of numbers and their relationships.
- Logic: Study of reasoning and argument structure.
Applied Sciences: Practical application of scientific knowledge.
- Engineering: Application of science in designing and constructing.
- Medicine: Application of biological sciences for health.

Observation: Gathering data and identifying phenomena.
Hypothesis: Formulating a testable explanation for observations.
Experimentation: Designing and conducting experiments to test the hypothesis.
Analysis: Interpreting results to support or refute the hypothesis.
Conclusion: Drawing conclusions and communicating findings.

Empiricism: Knowledge should be based on observable phenomena.
Reproducibility: Scientific findings must be repeatable by others.
Falsifiability: Hypotheses should be testable and potentially disprovable.
Peer Review: Process of evaluation by experts to ensure quality and validity.

Theory vs. Law:
- Theory: Broad explanation based on a body of evidence (e.g., Theory of Evolution).
- Law: Statement describing consistent natural phenomena (e.g., Law of Gravity).
Variables:
- Independent Variable: Changed by the researcher.
- Dependent Variable: Measured in response to changes.
- Controlled Variables: Kept constant during experimentation.

Role of Science: Drives technological advancement, informs public policy, and addresses global challenges (e.g., climate change, health crises).
Ethics in Science: Considerations of moral implications and responsibilities in scientific practices and applications.

Science is a systematic method of gathering knowledge about the universe through testable explanations and predictions.

Natural Sciences: Study of natural phenomena
- Physics: Studies matter, energy, and forces.
- Chemistry: Examines substances and their interactions.
- Biology: Focuses on living organisms and their processes.
Social Sciences: Study of societies and human behavior.
- Psychology: Examines the mind and human behavior.
- Sociology: Analyzes social behavior and structures.
- Economics: Studies the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
Formal Sciences: Study of abstract concepts.
- Mathematics: Studies numbers and their relationships.
- Logic: Analyzes reasoning and argument structure.
Applied Sciences: Practical application of scientific knowledge.
- Engineering: Uses scientific principles to design and construct.
- Medicine: Applies biological sciences to human health.

Empiricism: Knowledge should be grounded in observable phenomena.
Reproducibility: Scientific findings must be repeatable by other researchers.
Falsifiability: Hypotheses should be testable and potentially disprovable.
Peer Review: Process of evaluation by experts to ensure quality and validity of scientific findings.

Theory vs. Law:
- Theory: A broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence (e.g., Theory of Evolution)
- Law: A statement describing consistent natural phenomena (e.g., Law of Gravity)
Variables:
- Independent Variable: The variable changed by the researcher.
- Dependent Variable: The variable measured in response to changes.
- Controlled Variable: The variables kept constant during experimentation.

Impact: Drives technological advancement, informs public policy, and addresses global challenges (e.g., climate change, health crises).
Ethics: Considers the moral implications and responsibilities in scientific practices and applications.