Biology as scienceNature of science, how science works, the

scientific method

Nature of Science (NOS)Nature of science refers to general ideas and

principles that describe what and how science is, and what are the essential characteristics of scientific knowledge.

Scientific knowledge Non-scientificStudies only what can be observed, although intuition also helps scientist. (science has limits)

Studies what cannot be observed

Accepts the tentativeness of scientific knowledge, (inherently uncertain)

Knowledge (ex. Religious faith) is absolute, (puts a premium on tradition)

Scientific knowledge and results of scientific inquiry can be validated, ( it is result of a social process)

Knowledge cannot be validated

Observes critical thinking, evaluates the quality of information before making a judgement

uses untested, unverified assumptions to make judgement

Observes the scientific method

Does not observe the scientific method

Science vs. non-scienceScience studies what can be observed directly

or indirectly.

Digestive system – first studied by William Beaumont (1785 – 1853) by observing the digestion through a hole (fistula) in a man’s stomach (Alexis St. Martin)

Science vs. non-scienceScience studies what can be observed

indirectly.

Theory of Evolution– Charles Darwin set in writing his theory of evolution in On the Origin of Species (published 1859).

Theory of Continental Drift – Alfred Wegener proposed the theory that the continents once formed one continuous land mass (published 1912)

Science vs. non-scienceEvidence for Continental Drift Theory (1912) Presence of similar or identical species of

organism on continents that are distance apart.

Matching geology between separate continents

Science vs. non-scienceScience accepts the tentativeness of

knowledge. Scientific knowledge is inherently uncertain

and people with scientific mind accepts this to be so.

Scientific models are based on facts which had been gathered. There could be “facts” out there for which we have no means to observe or get directly or indirectly.

Ptolemic universe - Heliocentric - Finite and static universe -- Big Bang theory.

Science vs. non-scienceStudies done scientifically can be replicated

and validated by other scientific studies. Science is a social activity.

The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection is continuously being validated everyday. (ex. Emergence of drug resistant bacteria, various breeds of dogs, etc.)

The Theory of Relativity by Einstein (1905) was validated by Arthur Eddington and Arthur Claude de la Cherois in May 29, 1919. Light was validated to “bend”, gravity affect the “trajectory” of light.

Science vs. non-scienceScience observes critical thinking, does not

accept untested assumptions. Examples of statements with questionable

assumptions. Sir Pol has AIDS, therefore, Sir PoL is GAY. Cars can use water as fuel. Feng-shui- there is an appropriate design in

architecture that harmonizes the forces in the environment.

Science vs. non-scienceObserves the scientific method.

Scientific MethodThe scientific method refers to a collection of

techniques and strategies for investigating objects and phenomena, verifying claims, or acquiring new knowledge about the world. Its conclusions are based on empirical and measurable evidence.

It is process of investigation. It evidence (facts) are empirical and

measurable. Its goal is to reach a conclusion.

Scientific Method

Scientific MethodProblem/Question: Does drinking coffee (pure

black, no cream, no sugar) regularly promote weight loss.

Hypothesis: Regularly drinking pure black coffee promotes weight loss.

Research: read about the published studies on coffee and weight loss.

Scientific MethodExperiment: Design an experiment.

Control group – drinks water regularly.Experimental group – drinks black coffee

regularlyIssues about experimental design:How many participants in each group?What is the baseline data about the weight of

the participants?When is a change in weight significant?

Scientific MethodResults: Analysis and interpretation of results

based on the research/experimental design.Conclusion

ActivityThink about five doable research problem.Problems that can be done in the university,

using the resources we have in the laboratory.Research areas:Plant growthPerformance in examinationsWeight loss/weight gainImprovement in height