Inquiry in the Natural World

Student Guide, Topic 1: How do we find out about the world?

Topic objectives

• Appreciate why human beings want to understand the natural world and know what sort of questions they have asked.
• Understand why scientific investigation stagnated in the Middle Ages and what happened during the Renaissance to encourage people to explore the natural world for themselves.
• Understand how the scientific method works, and when multiple hypotheses are useful.
• Identify the contributions of Aristotle, Occam, and Bacon to this topic.
• Explain the terms hypothesis, theory, inductive reasoning, and deductive reasoning.

Reading for Wednesday January 15^th, 2003

Trefil and Hazen , The Sciences, Chapter 1, pp.1-13.

Discuss the main points of the large lecture.

Active Learning Exercises for Wednesday

1. What variables might a scientist measure when conducting an experiment?
2. Describe the scientific method in general; give a specific example of how you might apply the scientific method in your life.
3. Describe the roles of hypotheses, theories and predictions in the scientific method.

You will discuss these issues in the small groups and hand in your collective thoughts on the subjects.

Reading for Friday January 17^th, 2003

This reading can be found on the following website. Please read the article for Friday’s class.

http://web.sbu.edu/physics/faculty/dimattio/Clare102/darden-clare.doc

Professor Lindley Darden, “The Nature of Scientific Inquiry”, 1998

Questions for discussion:

1. Why do you think it is important to learn about science?

2. Why are multiple hypotheses useful?

3. Based on knowledge from other classes, sources, etc, discuss any possible “current” misdirection in science.

On Friday, you will discuss these questions in your small groups and hand in your collective thoughts. Prepare to participate in a group discussion.