STS101

• The term "science" derives from the Latin word "scientia," meaning knowledge
• The systematic approach defining modern science emerged during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods
• One pivotal development was the rise of the scientific method, a systematic framework for investigation emphasizing observation, experimentation, hypothesis testing, and evidence-based conclusions
• Science's impact on society has grown exponentially over time, with technological advancements propelling it to greater heights in recent decades
• Science is a method to learn about the natural world, gaining knowledge through observation, experimentation, and exploration
• Attributes of science include being empirical, objective, non-dogmatic, self-correcting, and systematic
• Scientific work is transparent and open to critique, with new knowledge disseminated and vetted through peer-review and publication
• Basic science produces knowledge regardless of application, while applied science is used to solve specific practical problems
• Inductive reasoning uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion, while deductive reasoning uses a general principle or law to forecast specific results
• The scientific method is a process used to find answers to questions about the natural world, involving steps like observation, hypothesis development, experimentation, analysis, and communication
• An independent variable is manipulated by the experimenter, while a dependent variable might be affected by the change in the independent variable
• Controlled variables, also called constants, are not exposed to the independent variable, ensuring a fair test
• Science and society are interconnected, with science having the power to improve lives but also posing challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, inequality, and misinformation