Science in Society and the Scientific Method – Review

These flashcards cover key definitions, steps of the scientific method, real-world complexities, principles like reproducibility and falsifiability, the role of peer review, funding challenges, serendipity, and famous accidental discoveries, helping you prepare for the exam on Science in Society and the Scientific Method.

What is the Merriam-Webster definition of science?

A system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws, obtained and tested through the scientific method.

According to Oxford Reference, what does science systematically study?

The structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and testing theories against evidence.

In the traditional scientific method, what is the first step?

Make an observation and identify a problem.

What immediately follows hypothesis formulation in the scientific method?

Research and experimentation designed to test the hypothesis under controlled conditions.

Why are experiments conducted during scientific research?

To gather evidence that can disprove (or fail to disprove) the hypothesis.

What does the analysis & conclusion phase of the scientific method involve?

Analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and guiding future investigations—often leading to new questions.

How does the real scientific method differ from its idealized version?

It is flexible, nonlinear, iterative, and often more complex than the simple step-by-step model.

Why are failures considered valuable in science?

They reveal flaws, refine hypotheses, and ultimately drive scientific progress.

What does reproducibility mean in scientific research?

Results must be repeatable by other researchers to validate findings and ensure reliability.

Why must a scientific theory be falsifiable?

So it can be empirically tested and potentially proven wrong, which is essential for credibility.

Which process embodies science’s ‘tradition of criticism’?

Peer review during and after scientific publication.

How is technology related to science?

Technology applies scientific knowledge to create tools, processes, and systems that address human needs.

Why can technological applications lag behind scientific discoveries?

Turning fundamental findings into practical tools can take years, decades, or even centuries.

List three common funding sources for scientific research.

Government grants, private-industry investments, and international organizations.

Name two current challenges in research funding and innovation.

Limited funding resources and intense competition for support (others include balancing basic vs. applied research).

Why is balancing fundamental and applied research important?

It sustains both long-term scientific breakthroughs and immediate technological innovations.

Define serendipity in a scientific context.

An unplanned, fortunate discovery recognized by a prepared mind while pursuing another line of inquiry.

Which accidental discovery revolutionized medicine by killing bacteria?

Penicillin, discovered from unexpected fungal contamination.

Which accidental discovery enabled non-invasive imaging of internal injuries?

X-rays, first observed during unrelated experiments with cathode rays.

What everyday appliance originated from a melted chocolate bar during radar research?

The microwave oven.

What did Louis Pasteur mean by “Chance favors the prepared mind”?

Unexpected findings benefit scientists who are knowledgeable and alert enough to recognize their significance.

According to Albert Einstein, what is more important than knowledge for fundamental breakthroughs?

Imagination.

Why must science remain open to exploratory ‘weird’ research?

Because many transformative breakthroughs arise from unexpected, curiosity-driven investigations.

What two core principles make science powerful and distinct from other knowledge systems?

Reproducibility and falsifiability supported by empirical evidence.

What is the purpose of peer review in scientific publishing?

To scrutinize methods, data, and conclusions, ensuring quality, reliability, and transparency.