The Nature of Science

Science

• not just a collection of knowledge

• systematic way of knowing everything

• methodical approach used to understand the natural world

• relies on observation, experimentation, and analysis to build and organize knowledge

Scientific Method

• process of science depends on the testing of ideas with evidence gathered from the natural world

• process of investigation to find or produce measurable and reliable results that answer a specific question

• seeks to disconfirm

Observation

• 1st step in the scientific method

• things/information we note by using our five senses

• the way we notice important details in our surroundings

Question

• 2nd step in the scientific method

• details we noticed during observations will spark our curiosity

• the most interesting ones will make us ask questions that we want answered

Research

• 3rd step in the scientific method

• important to look up what is already known

• opens us up to answered and unanswered questions about our topic

• prepares us for the next steps in the process

Hypothesis

• 4th step in the scientific method

• tentative explanation to our initial question based on what we know so far

• should be

  • testable: should be testable through experiments or observations

  • empirical: empirical evidence or observations; should be grounded in what is known from previous research or preliminary data, rather than being purely speculative

  • repeatable: open avenues for further investigation. It should contribute to the development of additional questions and experiments

  • predictive: a good hypothesis should make predictions that are measurable and observable, providing a basis for validating or invalidating the hypothesis

  • falsifiable: it should be structured in a way that evidence could potentially disprove it

Data Gathering

• 5th step in the scientific method

• stage where we get to test our hypothesis

• can be a test or series of tests done in a controlled environment to validate our observations and answer our questions

• qualitative - descriptive, five senses

• quantitative - numbers

Independent Variable

• variable that doesn’t change throughout the test

Dependent Variable

• variable that changes throughout the test depending on the independent variables

Analysis

• 6th step in the scientific method

• compare our expected results with our actual results

• gather measurable results that can prove if our hypothesis is true or false

Evaluation

• 7th step in the scientific method

• evaluate our results and draw conclusions from if

• summarizes the information we gathered during the scientific process and shares if our hypothesis is correct can be supported

• do the results answer the initial hypothesis and observation

Scientific Perspectives

• influence how we perceive and interpret various phenomena, from health to technology

Pseudoscience

• lacks empirical support

• often relies on anecdotal evidence

• does not adhere to the scientific method

• begs to be confirmed

• science must be…

  • peer review and reproducibility

  • falsifiability

Psychobabble

• misuse of words from psychology, but the idea of using scientific jargon incorrectly applies to all fields of science

• in psychology, it can lead to normalizing or excusing conditions that should instead be treated or addressed

Substantial Reliance on Anecdotal Evidence

• proponents claim that crystals possess special energy or healing properties that can improve physical, emotional, or spiritual being. this belief is not supported by rigorous, scientific evidence, but persists due to anecdotal reports and personal testimonies

Unfalsifiable Claims

• nature is home to beings we cannot see

• this is why we have to say tabi-tabi po when we pee in nature.

Lack of Self-Correction

• just because it’s been used for a thousand years, doesn’t mean it’s still correct

Absence of Connectivity to Other Research

• often ignore or misinterpret the well-established principles and other substantial evidences, such as photographs from space and satellite data

Absence of Adequate Peer-Review

• a claim that was claimed by one person only

• lacks studies

Extraordinary Claims in the Absence of Extraordinary Evidence

• no concrete physical evidences

Impacts of Pseudoscience

• can mislead people, potentially leading to harmful practices or neglect of effective treatments

• critical evaluation of claims is essential to prevent the spread of misinformation