CONPITT: Nature of Science

Question 1

Consistent

Answer 1

Experimental results and observations are the same.

Question 2

Observable

Answer 2

The phenomenon (event) or evidence for the event can be observed by the human senses or by extensions of those senses.

Question 3

Natural

Answer 3

A natural cause or naturally occurring mechanism is used to explain how or why an event happens.

Question 4

Predictable

Answer 4

Accurate predictions and conclusions are based on natural causes NOT on presupposed or assumed information

Question 5

Testable

Answer 5

Controlled experiments can be designed to test the natural cause of the event

Question 6

Tentative

Answer 6

Explanations (laws, theories, hypotheses) of the cause ( mechanism) for the event are subject to change as evidence shows the need.

Question 7

Empirically based

Answer 7

~Testable, based on evidence.

~Derived from experiment and observations of the natural world

Question 8

Tentative and Changing

Answer 8

~ Change in knowledge is inevitable as scientists continually test and challenge previous assumptions and findings
~There id no way to secure truth but increasingly accurate approximations can be made.

Question 9

Subjective

Answer 9

~Personal bias, sex, age, assumptions or existing theories held by the researcher, values, experiences, and research agendas may influence investigations scientists choose to conduct and/or their interpretation of the resulting data
~The cultural backgrounds of scientists may influence the direction of the scientific research, including the types of questions asked, types of evidence collected; as well as the interpretation of the data

Question 10

Inventive and Creative

Answer 10

~Scientific knowledge is invented rather than discovered.
~Imaginative and creativity are important in developing knowledge; like when creating hypotheses, designing experiments, making inferences, summarizing data, and developing theories

Question 11

Involves Social Negotiation

Answer 11

~The development of scientific knowledge depends on communication and negotiation amongst scientists.
~Knowledge acquires credibility when recognized by other scientists.
~Scientists agree upon common ways of conducting research.