How Science Works - 1
Scientific testing involves figuring out what we expect to observe if an idea were correct and comparing that expectation to what we actually observe.
What is "Testing Ideas" (gathering data)
Some theories are so broad and powerful that they frame whole disciplines of study and include many smaller hypotheses and theories.
What is "Community Analysis and Feedback" - (Theory building)
In Science, theories are broad explanations. To be accepted, they must be supported by many lines of evidence.
What is "Community Analysis and Feedback" and maybe "Testing Ideas".
Science informs public policy and personal decisions on energy, conservation, agriculture, health, transportation, communication, defense, economics, leisure, and exploration.
What is "Benefits and Outcomes"
Scientific Findings frequently benefit society through technological and other innovations
What are "Benefits and Outcomes"
New technological advances may lead to new scientific discoveries. (ex: developing DNA copying and sequencing has led to important breakthroughs in many areas of biology)
What is "Benefits and Outcomes"
May also include "Exploration and Discovery"
Scientific knowledge can improve the quality of life at many different levels - from the routine workings of our everyday lives to global issues.
What is "Benefits and Outcomes"
Scientific ideas are judged based on evidence - not on popular opinion. In this way, science is not democratic.
What is "testing ideas" (interpreting data)
Hypothesis are proposed explanations for a narrow set of phenomena. They are not guesses.
What is "Testing Ideas" (gathering data)
Scientific results regularly make their way into our everyday lives.
What is "Benefits and Outcomes"
Evidence can reflect on an idea in many different ways - supporting it, contradicting it, suggesting it should be revised, suggesting the revision of an assumption, or suggesting a new research question.
What is "Testing Ideas" (Interpreting data)
Scientific knowledge and research have led to many medical advances.
What is "Benefits and Outcomes".
When Geologists drilled into Eniwetok in 1951, they drilled through 4000 ft. of coral before hitting volcanic basalt! The observation contradicted the underwater mountain hypothesis and supported the subsiding island hypothesis.
The process of science works at many levels - from that of a single study to a broad investigation spanning many decades and encompassing hundreds of individuals.
What is "community analysis and feedback", Exploration and Discovery" and "Testing Ideas"
The discovery of DNA resulted in more research that would ultimately lead to a wide variety of practical applications.
What is "Exploration and Discovery"
Potential applications may motivate scientific investigations. Ex: the possibility of engineering microorganisms to cheaply produce drugs for diseases like malaria motivates many researchers to continue their studies in microbe genetics.
What is "Benefits and Outcomes" and "Community analysis and feedback" and "Exploration and Discovery"