PRE-PUBLICA TION EDITION - Nelson Education

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appendix bWhat IsScience?648 What Is Science?NEL
the nature of scienceCharacteristics of ScienceScience is both a collection of what we know and howwe know about the world around us—both a body ofknowledge and a process for acquiring knowledge.• Science starts from observations that lead toquestions. The natural world is full of fascinatingphenomena that raise questions in the curiousmind. These questions form the basis of scientificinvestigation.• Scientific knowledge can come from observation.Observations that are made and recorded ina structured, organized fashion can provideevidence that leads to knowledge andunderstanding. Empirical knowledge includesknowledge gained in the process of scientificinquiry, as well as observations and knowledgegained from Aboriginal peoples, as part of theirtraditional ecological knowledge and wisdom(TEKW).• Science is done differently in different cultures. Themethods used to conduct scientific investigationsmay vary depending on social and culturaltraditions and practices. However, the purpose ofscientific inquiry remains the same: to understandand explain the natural world.• Scientific knowledge is tentative but reliable.Scientific hypotheses are ideas to be tested.Repeated testing that produces consistent resultscan lead to laws and theories that help to describeand explain the natural world. Current laws andtheories are reliable because of extensive testing,but they can change if new evidence suggests thata change is necessary. In science, a conclusion isnever regarded as final.• Science is progressive. Scientific knowledge buildson existing knowledge. Our understanding ofthe natural world grows as new knowledge isacquired and as new technologies enable furtherscientific investigation.• Science is repeatable, self-correcting, and not basedon authority. A hypothesis should be tested insuch a way that the same test can be repeatedby different people. This way, inconsistenciescan be identified and theories can be updatedto explain new observations. Modern sciencedoes not accept the proclamations of famousindividuals or people in positions of political orsocial authority unless they can provide credibleevidence to support their claims.Misconceptions about ScienceMany people misunderstand what science is and whatit can do. Some of the most common misconceptionsare briefly described here.Misconception #1: All scientists follow ASINGLE scientific method.Many people think that there is one “scientificmethod” that all scientists follow to conduct research.This method is usually described as a series of steps:1. A scientist asks a testable question and developsa hypothesis.2. The scientist designs and carries out an experiment,makes observations, and analyzes them.3. The scientist draws a conclusion based on theevidence and compares the conclusion with thehypothesis to determine whether the evidencesupports the hypothesis.NEL The Nature of Science 649
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PRE-PUBLICATION EDITIONThis is DRAF
Page 4 and 5: appendix ASkillsHandbook598 Skills
Page 6 and 7: 1Safe Science1.A. Having a Safe Att
Page 8 and 9: • Make sure your cutting instrume
Page 10 and 11: 2Scientific Tools and EquipmentSele
Page 12 and 13: f2.D.1. Microscope SkillsThe basic
Page 14 and 15: The following steps can be used to
Page 16 and 17: 3Scientific Inquiry Skills3.A. Thin
Page 18 and 19: 3.B.3. Predicting and Hypothesizing
Page 20 and 21: Scientific DrawingsScientific drawi
Page 22 and 23: 3.B.9. CommunicatingWhen you plan a
Page 24 and 25: 4Research SkillsIn modern society,
Page 26 and 27: 4.B.2. Evaluating Internet Resource
Page 28 and 29: Once you have completed your resear
Page 30 and 31: 5Using Mathematics in ScienceEffect
Page 32 and 33: 5.B. Solving NumericalProblems Usin
Page 34 and 35: 5.D. Uncertainty inMeasurementThere
Page 36 and 37: 5.D.2. Measurement ErrorsThere are
Page 38 and 39: Scientific NotationOn many calculat
Page 40 and 41: 6Data Tables and GraphsData tables
Page 42 and 43: 6.B. Using Computers forGraphingYou
Page 44 and 45: • Take responsibility for your ow
Page 46 and 47: 7.C. Good Study HabitsStudying take
Page 48 and 49: 8.B. Graphic OrganizersDiagrams tha
Page 50 and 51: To Show Properties or Characteristi
Page 52 and 53: 10Periodic Table11 1+1-31Hhydrogen1
Page 56 and 57: This is a valid research method, bu
Page 58 and 59: Myths and Urban LegendsThere are ma
Page 60 and 61: Science, Technology, Society,and th
Page 62 and 63: Science, Technology,and SocietyYou
Page 64: COMPONENTSISBNStudent Text 978-0-17
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PRE-PUBLICA TION EDITION - Nelson Education

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