Science Skills and Methods

Date:
Mon, 11 Sep 2006 11:15:00 -0400
Subject:
Science investigations
To:
odontocete917@yahoo.com
From:
"James Sylvester" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert

Basic Science Skills1. What is scientific method?
2. What instrument and tools allow us to measure
density?
3. How do we measure mass and volume?
4. How do the methods for regular and irregular
objects differ?
I am going to Wikipedia and about.com later for info.
I suggest you do
the same.
JGS 917 216 0928 odontocete917@yahoo.com

Research Info
Scientific method
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Scientific method Portal
The Scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena and acquiring new knowledge, as well as for correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on observable, empirical, measurable evidence, and subject to laws of reasoning. All such evidence is collectively called scientific evidence.
Although specialized procedures vary from one field of inquiry to another, there are identifiable features that distinguish scientific inquiry from other methods of developing knowledge. Scientific researchers propose specific hypotheses as explanations of natural phenomena, and design experimental studies that test these predictions for accuracy. These steps are repeated in order to make increasingly dependable predictions of future results. Theories that encompass whole domains of inquiry serve to bind more specific hypotheses together into logically coherent wholes. This in turn aids in the formation of new hypotheses, as well as in placing groups of specific hypotheses into a broader context of understanding.
Among other facets shared by the various fields of inquiry is the conviction that the process must be objective so that the scientist does not bias the interpretation of the results or change the results outright. Another basic expectation is that of making complete documentation of data and methodology available for careful scrutiny by other scientists and researchers, thereby allowing other researchers the opportunity to verify results by attempted reproduction of them. This also allows statistical measures of the reliability of the results to be established. The scientific method also may involve attempts, if possible and appropriate, to achieve control over the factors involved in the area of inquiry, which may in turn be manipulated to test new hypotheses in order to gain further knowledge.