Building Scientific Knowledge

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Building Scientific Knowledge

• The Real Answer To
• Howd You Get That?!?!

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Observation Inference

• From an early age, you gain an understanding of
  the world through exploration and
  experimentation. Both of these use the ability to
  observe.
• Observation takes place in the learning process
  when we use our senses to make note of phenomena
  in nature or laboratory settings.
• Once several observations have been made, you may
  infer knowledge of the phenomenon based on your
  observations.
• An inference is a judgment or opinion that is
  based on observations and/or the results of
  testing.

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Observe Infer People!

• What is this?
• What did you observe?
• You used your senses to make observations in
  order to infer what the material in the picture
  was .
• Lets try another oneWhat is this?
• Again the process of observing and inferring
  repeats itself.

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Types of Knowledge

• Empirical knowledge is knowledge gained by using
  the senses or extensions of the senses. (A
  microscope extends the sense of sight.)
• Noting that water turns from a liquid to a gas at
  100C by watching a thermometer and the water
  itself is an example of empirical knowledge.
• Theoretical knowledge is knowledge based on ideas
  that are created to explain observations. It
  tries to explain how something works based on
  what you gained from your senses.
• A theory is often formed to explain the
  connection between a large number of related
  observations.

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Models

• Copernicus

• Once they have developed a theory, scientists
  will often try to develop a model to communicate
  how the theory operates.
• A model is a representation of a theoryIt may be
  restricted or changed as new information is
  gathered.

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Thats All Folks!