Science and the Scientific Method

Flashcards covering the definition of science, its process, hypothesis-driven investigation, the scientific method, experimental characteristics, and the nature of scientific theories.

What is science fundamentally?

Science is a way of knowing, based on inquiry, that seeks natural causes for natural phenomena, limited to what can be observed and measured.

What are the two key distinguishing features of science?

Science depends on observations and measurements that others can verify, and it requires that ideas (hypotheses) are testable by experiments that others can repeat.

What is a hypothesis in scientific investigation?

A hypothesis is a tentative answer to a question—an explanation on trial.

What logical form does testing a hypothesis take?

Deductive reasoning, often expressed as 'If…then' logic.

What are the four main steps of the scientific method?

Observation (leading to a question), Hypothesis, Experiment, and Conclusion.

What happens if an experiment refutes a hypothesis?

The hypothesis must be revised.

What are the characteristics of a good experiment?

Reproducible, includes Control Groups and Experimental Groups, utilizes Random Selection, and involves Replications.

How can scientists avoid bias in their research?

Scientists should not aim to 'prove' something, data must be quantitative, and others should be able to repeat and confirm the findings.

How does a scientific theory differ from a hypothesis?

A scientific theory is much broader in scope than a hypothesis, has been supported repeatedly by extensive and varied experimental evidence, and is not 'just a guess'.

Are science, religion, and art mutually exclusive ways of knowing nature?

No, they are very different ways of trying to make sense of nature, but they are not mutually exclusive.