Science in the systematic study of natural events and conditions.

Its subjects can be living or nonliving and can be broken down into 3 areas;

1. Life Science – the study of living things

   • Earth Science – the study of the surface of & interior of Earth

   • Physical Science – includes physics & chemistry, studies nonliving matter and energy

Science must have consensus.

The need for openness is import because scientific ideas must be testable & reproduced.

Use of Empirical Evidence.

Evidence must be measurable – not an opinion or guess.

Empirical evidence includes observations & measurements.

What is Scientific Explanation?

Scientific explanation provides a description of how a process in nature occurs.

It is based on observations & data.

How is a Scientific Explanation Evaluated?

Does it stand up to the test?

Does it test what was to be tested?

What is involved in Scientific Work?Common habits of a scientists who are involved in scientific work.

• Careful Observation – scientists observe with their senses & scientific tools.

• Curiosity – scientists are curious about the world around them and about the things they observe.

  • Most scientific discoveries are the result of someone asking why or how something happened.

• Creativity – being creative means to be original, creative people think for themselves and try to see other ways things may be.

• Scientists use creativity and apply their imagination to come up with new solutions.

• Logic – thinking logically involves reasoning through information and making conclusions supported by the evidence.

• Skepticism – being skeptical means that you don’t accept everything you hear or read immediately, you ask questions before making decisions about the information. Factual or not.

• Objectivity – being objective requires that you set aside your personal feelings, moods, and beliefs while making evaluation.

  • Scientists must be unbiased.

How is pseudoscience similar to and different from science?

Pseudoscience is a belief or practice that is based on incorrectly applied scientific methods.

Pseudoscience can seem like real science, but its ideas are based on faulty logic and are supported by claims that can’t be tested.

Similarities:

• Often involves topics related to the natural world.

  • People who believe in pseudoscience explanations that can sound logical.

  • Uses technical language or scientific terms.

  • Pseudoscience and science claim to be based on empirical evidence.

Differences:

• Pseudoscience does not use acceptable scientific methods.

  • Evidence may be vague or lack measurements.

  • Faulty logic.

  • Does not offer evidence to support the conclusion.