GEC 7: STS

2nd Semester of A.Y. 2023-2024

Lecture Note 2. Scientific Method: The Tool in Studying Science

At the end of this module you will be able to:

A. Discuss the scientific method of learning from the factual environmental

situation.
B. Articulate the principles of scientific method and its relationship in solving problem
scientifically.

Introduction:

 In every science class, scientific method is always part of the discussion. Since, science
as subject was drawn out from everyday practices of concept in solving everyday
problem encountered by people in the society and environment.

 Physical and Biological sciences are all evolved from practices of solving problems.
Learning science is indeed very challenging because it will always start in identifying the
problem to solve.

 And so, learners must always asked questions to answer. In fact the basic human senses
are always involve in drawing out first the problems of the environment.

 You must learn scientific method in order that you will be guided to understand the
nature of science. And you will also develop critical thinking and creativity as you utilize
science in understanding various environmental issues and problems.

 In following the steps or procedure of the scientific method, you will learn in making
decision based on factual evidences and situation according to the scientific method.

The Nature of Scientific Inquiry

 Developing an understanding of how science is done and creating things around us is
part of studying the methods and ways of science.

 You will need to explore the difficulties in gathering data around us and some of
ingenious methods that have been developed to overcome these difficulties.
  You will also see many examples of how hypotheses are formulated and tested in so
many research works written in many journals and reports as well as learning
about the evolution and development of some major scientific theories.

 All science is based on the assumption that the natural world behaves in a consistent
and predictable manner that is comprehensible through careful, systematic study.

 The over-all goal of science is to discover the underlying patterns in nature and then
to use this knowledge to make predictions about what should or should not be
expected, given certain situations, facts or circumstances.

The development of new scientific knowledge involved with:

a. Some basic logical processes that are universally accepted

b. The determination of what is occurring in the natural world, scientists collect

scientific “facts” through observation and measurement
c. Construction of a tentative (untested) explanation (Scientific HYPOTHESIS). It is best if
an investigator can formulate more than one hypothesis to explain a given set of
observations.
d. Making hypothesis that will become an accepted part of scientific knowledge,
so it must pass objective testing and analysis.
e. Verification process that requires predictions to be made based on the
hypothesis being considered and that predictions be tested by comparing them
against objective observations of nature.
f. Those hypotheses that fail rigorous testing will be ultimately discarded. The history
of science is littered with discarded hypotheses.

THEORY
 When a hypothesis has survived extensive scrutiny and when competing ones have been
eliminated, a hypothesis may be elevated to the status of a scientific theory.

 And a scientific theory is a well-tested and widely accepted view that the scientific
community agrees best explains certain observable facts.

 Some theories that are extensively documented and extremely well supported are
comprehensive in scope.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD (SM)

 The process just described, in which researchers gather facts through
 observations and formulate scientific hypotheses and theories is called
scientific method.

 It is an endeavor that involves creativity and insight. (NOT a standard recipe

that scientists apply in a routine manner to unravel the secrets of our
natural world.)

 But it will always start with a question from a problem. Here’s the
process:

Figure 1. Scientific Illustration of SM

 Figure 2. A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Prepared by:

Feudalyn Lustado-Muanag
Instructor
feudalyn@tcc.edu.ph