Gen Science

• Science is the systematic study through observation and experimentation. It is the building and organizing of knowledge by following the scientific method.
• Formal science deals with abstract structures in formal systems, including mathematics and logic
• Social science deals with human behavior around its social and cultural aspects;
• Natural science studies natural phenomena using empirical evidence
• Natural is divided into two branches: Life science, or biology, Physical science
• Life science, or biology, studies life
• Physical science mainly focuses on non-living systems
• Physical Science includes, Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Earth Science
• Physics, or the study of matter on how it behaves through space and time
• Chemistry, or the study of matter and its characteristics, behavior, and the changes it undergoes
• Astronomy, or the study of outer space
• Earth science, or the study of Earth as a planet
• Science can also be categorized by function: all the aforementioned branches can be considered as pure science, whereas applied science is the application of scientific knowledge for practical use.
• Research is the act of systematically studying to find answers to a scientific problem, undertaken to build science by increasing its stock of knowledge.
• There are two types of reasoning processes used in rationalizing scientific observations: induction and deduction. Both of these processes are used in scientific research and its induction and deduction
• Induction refers to when a specific observation is used to make a general claim. ● This reasoning process was historically used to arrive at general conclusions about the natural world ● It is mainly used to make theories ● It is also called the bottom-up approach of reasoning
• deduction refers to when general premises are used to make specific conclusions. ● It is mainly used to test theories ● It is also called the top-down approach of reasoning
• The Scientific Method This is the empirical method for acquiring knowledge; it is used for developing science in recent centuries because of how it is effective in answering scientific questions through observations and tests.
• the scientific methods are 1.Identify the problem. 2. Make observations. ○ gather preliminary data and information about the problem. 3. State the hypothesis. ○ A hypothesis is an educated guess; it should answer the problem identified. 4. Test the hypothesis (experiment). 5. Analyze and interpret resulting data. 6. Draw conclusions
• Experiments Experimentation is part of the scientific method. It is a controlled investigation of natural phenomena. In conducting an experiment, all factors should be the same among all the setups, except for the one being tested.
• ● Experimental/manipulated/independent variable - the variable being tested and changed; in conducting an experiment, the setups should have different levels or values of this variable. ● Constant/controlled variables - the factors that should be kept the same from setup to setup. ● Responding/dependent variable - the resulting variable that changes because of the independent variable; it is the variable being measured per setup.
• Experiments are used to test hypotheses. Hypothesis testing is a process where a researcher formulates an educated guess (the ‘hypothesis’) to explain a phenomenon, and conduct necessary tests to determine whether to accept or reject the hypothesis. It utilizes two hypotheses: ● The alternative hypothesis is the hypothesis of interest; it is the guess that there is a significant relationship among the dependent and independent variables. ● The null hypothesis states otherwise; or that there is no significant relationship among the two variables.
• Additional relevant terms: ● A theory is a well-supported, testable explanation of natural phenomena. ● A scientific law is a statement that describes or predicts an observed natural phenomenon. ● An axiom is a statement which everyone agrees is true. It is sometimes called, in mathematical context, as a postulate. ● A method is a systematic process of performing a scientific task, such as conducting research. ● Pseudoscience is an approach to gathering knowledge that claims to be scientific, but violates tenets of science. All Rights Reserved The Maroon Blueb