CURIOSITY AND OBSERVATION ARE THE START OF SCIENCE

Curiosity and observation are the start of science. All scientist have curious child in their
hearts and minds. At first, these questions come at random. Later on, the questions
become more focused and direct, enabling the scientist to know what data to gather and to
plan how to answer these questions through experiments.

Scientist always ask questions and often wonder about the world. A good scientist
must be humble enough to accept that one does not have the answer to every question. A
good scientist admits mistakes. Humility safeguards scientists against arrogance which
limits how far and to what extent the pursuit of science should go. Scientist practice healthy
skepticism when they do not accept things simply because someone said so. Healthy
skepticism protects scientists from the dangers of accepting everything with absolute
certainty. They usually verify the sources of their information.

Not all experiments are successful. Scientist must possess positive attitude towards failure.

Scientist must posses open- mindedness accepting criticism and showing respect for the
work and ideas of others and are open to trying new techniques.

A scientist should be patient, especially when dealing with problems and unexpected
setbacks and still pursuit for success.

A scientist is confident and prepared to defend his work, especially if he/ she knows that he/
she is correct.

Intellectual honesty, scientist acknowledge others contribution and do not claim to be

authors of a work that does not belong to them.

While the basic sciences can be studied separately and independently of one another, the
sciences can also cut across disciplines. Because of this, science has become
interdisciplinary. As scientist in various fields work as a team they integrate all their
research findings to improve the qualityof all varoius fields work as a team,they integrate all
their research findings to improve the quality of all forms of life.

When the process of making knowledge ceases,what is left is tradition to be passed from
one generation to another. However, science fiction and superstitious knowledge seem to
be confused with science. While science is supported by scientific attitude and investigated
by scientific method that brings about consistent repeatable results known as theory.
Superstition on the other hand, is supported by fear of unknown and is countered by rituals
that brings about inconsistent results that are package as superstitious beliefs, which are a
matter of chance.

Science versus Superstition. Science is supported by scientific attitude and investigated by

scientific method that brings about consistent repeatable results are package as theory.
While superstition is supported by fear of unknown and is countered by rituals that brings
about inconsistent results that are package as superstitious beliefs, which are a matter of
chance.

One learns about how the world works through personal experiences. Sometimes, for the
more inquisitive person, this is done through trial and error. As science has advanced in
major leaps,superstitious beliefs have become less popular among the younger generation.

Practically everything deals with science, which means science is- an ongoing process of
searching for new information.

This is indicated by the word scientific, which means science making- an ongoing process
of searching for new information. When the process of making knowledge ceases,what is
left is tradition to be passed from one generation to another.

The experiment can be repeated by others and still obtain same results.

The Latin word scientia, which means “knowing” or “being skilled,” is the source of the
English word science. The branches of study that are now called sciences once fell under
the heading of philosophy, an umbrella term that suggested the pursuit of knowledge.

Scientific Method cannot be limited to the methods of specific branches of knowledge.

Every area of study has its own specific goals and its own methods for reaching them. The
goals and methods of physics are not the same as those of botany or geology, yet all are
legitimately viewed as sciences.

No science is ever a fixed body of knowledge. This is indicated by the word scientific,
which means science making- an ongoing process of searching for new information. When
the process of making knowledge ceases,what is left is tradition to be passed from one
generation to another.

There are no distinct boundaries separating the various fields. A relationship exists
between all of them. Each fields uses its own information and methods as well as those of
others. Specific names and definitions of fields are used only for convenience since the
entire field of science is too large to be studied as a whole. The sciences are usually
classified into categories.
The word science comes from the Latin word scientia, which means “to know”. Science is a
way learning how things work. Practically everything deals with science.

Science is a systematic attempt to establish knowledge that helps explain natural and
physical occurrences through objective means- which refer to the manner by which
knowledge is obtained. It employs skills such as measuring, analyzing, observing and
experimenting. The experiment can be repeated by others and still obtain same results.

The application of science leads to the development of technology.

Scientific breakthrough is a euphoric moment that reveals an idea even an accidental

answer to a need or problem.

Many scientific breakthrough were developed into technologies that helped improve the
quality of life by giving cures to diseases, increasing food production, improving procedures
for solving crimes and developing machines that do work more efficiently.

Some scientific breakthrough were discovered accidentally and led to other breakthrough,
while others were made through the perseverance of scientist. Gadgets are examples of
products of these breakthroughs.

For science to serve humanity, it applies scientific knowledge for the common good.

Science versus Superstition. Science is supported by scientific attitude and investigated by

scientific method that brings about consistent repeatable results are package as theory.
While superstition is supported by fear of unknown and is countered by rituals that brings
about inconsistent results that are package as superstitious beliefs, which are a matter of
chance.

One learns about how the world works through personal experiences. Sometimes, for the
more inquisitive person, this is done through trial and error. As science has advanced in
major leaps,superstitious beliefs have become less popular among the younger generation.

The scientific method is a sequence of steps followed by scientists to differentiate facts

from myths and superstitions, or validate or refute speculations. It is a systematic and
orderly approach in gathering data and solving problems that involves the following steps:
observing- to identify a problem; researching- to gather related information; formulating a
hypothesis- to predict a likely outcome; testing the hypothesis- designing and performing an
experiment; recording and analyzing, data and drawing conclusions.
Differences in results may arise because of other factors that have to be further
investigated. It is necessary that scientist share their findings with the world. Thus, keeping
record of data and ideas, and written report of findings, helps readers and other people
interested to keep track of any recommendations and on how to improve the experiment.

Actually theories and laws began with hypothesis. Hypothesis is a tentative explanation
about a set of observations. When consistent results are obtained from a large number of
repeated experiments, then the hypothesis becomes a theory.

Scientific laws and theories began as hypotheses had to be tested and supported by facts.

A theory is a statement that uses facts and relies on observation, research and
experimentation. It is formulated to explain the how and/ or the why of an observed
occurrence or phenomenon. Theories are proposed after repeated experimentation that
produced consistent results. Theory is a synthesis of a large body of information to help us
understand and explain occurrences.

Scientific conclusion is grounded on observation- which are perceived through senses, and
inference- a suggestion or an implication that one bases on observation. But many times
especially in scientific investigations, direct observations are not possible. Scientist can only
rely on indirect evidences to build their theories. Ex. Atoms cannot be seen with the naked
eye or with a powerful microscope, but scientist have arrived at vital information, such as its
structure based on indirect experimentation and observation.

During an experiment, a scientist observes and records changes. He/ she records data into
a record book so that trends and other information can be inferred. Qualitative data-
collected from observation and description and quantitative data- data presented in
numbers.

Traits of a scientist. There is no single formula on how to be a scientist. For one thing,
superior intelligence is not an absolute prerequisite. Curiosity and observation are the start
of science, and all scientist have curious child in their hearts and minds. Scientist always
ask questions and often wonder about the world. At first, these questions come at random.
Later on,the questions become more focused and direct, enabling the scientist to know
what data to gather and to plan how to answer these questions through experiments.

A good scientist must be humble enough to accept that one does not have the answer to
every question. A good scientist admits mistakes. Humility safeguards scientists against
arrogance which limits how far and to what extent the pursuit of science should go. Scientist
practice healthy skepticism when they do not accept things simply because someone said
so. Healthy skepticism protects scientists from the dangers of accepting everything with
absolute certainty. They usually verify the sources of their information.

Not all experiments are successful. Scientist must possess positive attitude towards failure.

Scientist must posses open- mindedness accepting criticism and showing respect for the
work and ideas of others and are open to trying new techniques.
A scientist should be patient, especially when dealing with problems and unexpected
setbacks and still pursuit for success.

A scientist is confident and prepared to defend his work, especially if he/ she knows that he/
she is correct.

Intellectual honesty, scientist acknowledge others contribution and do not claim to be

authors of a work that does not belong to them.

While the basic sciences can be studied separately and independently of one another, the
sciences can also cut across disciplines. Because of this, science has become
interdisciplinary. As scientist in various fields work as a team they integrate all their
research findings to improve the qualityof all varoius fields work as a team,they integrate all
their research findings to improve the quality of all forms of life.