MODULE 1

NATURE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

 Nature of Science
 Science is a systematized knowledge derived from observation, study and experimentation
carried on in order to determine the nature of what is being studied.
 It came from the Latin word scire (meaning to know). It was originally called “Philosophy of
the natural world.”
 Science is a framework for gaining and organizing knowledge.

 The scientific method

 Ask a Question: The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that
you observe.
 Do Background Research: Rather than starting from scratch, do library and Internet research.
 Construct a Hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. A good
hypothesis allows you to make prediction.
 Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment: It is important that your experiment be a fair
test. conduct a fair test by making sure that you change only one factor
 Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion: Once the experiment is complete, collect the data
and analyze them to see if they support the hypothesis or not.
 Communicate Your Results: Professional scientists do publish their final report in a scientific
journal or by presenting their results on a poster or during a talk at a scientific meeting.

 It is important to differentiate observation, hypothesis and theories. Observation is something

that is witnessed and can be recorded. Hypothesis is a possible explanation for an observation. A
theory is a set of tested hypothesis that gives an overall explanation of some natural
phenomena. It is an interpretation or explanation of why nature behaves in a particular way.
Theories changes overtime as more information becomes available.
 The scientific attitudes of a scientist:

1. Honesty - allows a scientist to recognize the work done by other scientists before him. This
attitude is also shown by reporting data truthfully.
2. A scientist is open minded - Open-mindedness is an attitude that allows a scientist to look at
other possibilities.
3. Creative and Critical Thinking - enables a scientist to come up with new
concept which lead to discoveries that traditional scientists have overlooked.
4. Curiosity - enables a scientist to discover more about the things around him.
5. Persistent - enables a scientist to continue a project despite obstacles and failures.
6. Objectivity. A scientist must be objective in declaring results of his/her experiments and
judgment is based on observable phenomena and not influenced by emotions or personal
prejudices
7. Precision. A scientist must always consider the precision of his work if it forms a pattern or
repeatedly occurring in nature. Lack of precision would mean inconsistency.
8. Responsibility. The moral, social and personal responsibility and accountability of a scientist to
all of his works must be observed.
9. Collaboration. One needs to consider suggestion and recommendations of others for an
improved work.

 Nature of Technology

 The initial nature of technology is for survival. Steve Jobs, the pioneer of microcomputer
revolution say the thing that separates us from high primates is that we are tool builders. A
caveman created fire to warm himself, cook food to kill bacteria and protect himself from
predators.
 Technology, science of craft, comes from the Greek word techne, is the collection of
techniques, skills, methods and processes.

 Nature of Society

 He said that man was a social animal by nature and who does not live in society was either a
beast or god, Aristotle.
 The society is made up of community of people. Among these people are Scientist and
technologist.
 Relationship Among Science, Technology and Society

 Science and technology are the best society could ever ask for. Since the industrial revolution
in the 18th century science has been in progress.
 Without society then there would be no science and technology and that is why the
inventions and innovations have helped achieve big things.
 Science and technology has actually largely contributed to the vision of man about himself.
Science has been modified the opinion about the origin of man and place of origin too.

 Positive Impacts of Technology on Society

 Technology has Mechanized Agriculture
 Technology has Improved Transportation
 Technology has improved Healthcare Services
 Availability of Information and big data
 Medical professionals can now use media such as video
 Electronic medical records allow all patient histories, test results, diagnoses and relevant
information
 Telemedicine/Telehealth Telemedicine/Telehealth services such as video-conferencing
 Mobility and Mobile Apps Mobile software applications
 Technology has improved Communication
 Technology has Improved Education and Learning Process
 Technology has Improved Business or Job Opportunities
 Technology has Improved Entertainment

 Negative Impacts of Technology on Society

 Resource Depletion
 Increased Pollution
 Cyber - Sickness
 Unemployment
 Science and technology fields
 Life Sciences - is a very broad field
 Engineering - field of science that applies both science and math to solve problems.
 Agriculture - concerns with the different techniques of land cultivation, crop and livestock
raising, or otherwise, farming.
 Aquaculture - is the rearing or cultivation of aquatic animals and plants for foods.
 Metal - industry deals with the creation and innovation of metallic and steel products.
 Food and Nutrition - field of science studying the nature and the natural changes in them.
 Forestry - particles planting, managing and taking care of trees.
 Natural disaster preparedness - to address risk.

 Health - one aspect of healthcare is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases.

MODULE 2
NATURE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY