Question

Your response to the question should be long enough to address the question but limited to no more than two pages. These are essay style questions therefore you should give essay style answers. Do not copy the published work of others. If you cite the work of someone else, please provide the appropriate citation. Briefly, but completely respond to the question.

What is science? What are some of the attributes the type of knowledge that can be obtained through this human endeavor? Due to the nature of scientific inquiry, what limits does the scientific method impose on the kinds of questions or problems that can be addressed in an authoritative way by scientists? In what way can a hypothesis be used to discern whether a particular question or problem can be addressed through the scientific method?

Answer 1

Science literally means 'to know'. Science is defined in the Britannica Encyclopedia as, "any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and that entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation."

Scientific investigation is about unbiased and controlled investigation free from all the prejudices or superstitions.

Attributes of the type of knowledge that can be obtained through this human endeavor:

1). Exploring the smallest particle constituent of the universe:

Ever since the mankind gained the ability to analyze, he started investigating things around it. We all are interested to know the basic unit of the creation. With the advancement of science, our curiosity is also getting larger and larger. When the atom was discovered at first, it was so named because they thought being the smallest particle it cannot be cut. Now we are studying the sub atomic particles and are amused with their properties.

2). Exploring the limits of the universe:

Gazing at the stars is another realms of our curious minds. In parallel to understanding the smallest particle, the science is also working to understand the heavenly bodies hanging freely without any support. Enormous growth in the cosmology, which started with sun, moon, other planets of our solar systems, other stars and their planets, is now talking of various galaxies and parallel universes.

3). Understanding of the fundamental laws governing the universe:

Their are fundamental physical and chemical laes that goven the universe and its working. Discovery of these laws such as gravity, friction, motion, boyont force has given a new leap to the progression of the science.  

4). Exploiting the available knowledge for the benefit of the mankind.

Science is not only catering the satisfaction to out curiousity but is also contributing to the betterment of our lives. Whatever development we see around us is a child of science.

5). Understanding life, its origin, evolution, and dynamics:

'How the life has started?' this question has been hauting mankind since time immemorial. Early man used religion and God to satisfy the curious mind, Now the sincere efforts by various workers have given convincing theories regarding the origin and evolution of life. The evolution and dyanamics of life is still very close to the hearts of the scientist working in the area.

6). Factors influencing the life on this planet:

The life on this planet is in equilibrium with the biotic and abiotic factors of ecosystem. The branch of science dealing with the enviornment is ecology and enviornmental sciences.

7). Geography and Geology:

The possibility of life on earth is due to the makeup of the earth.

8). Life on other planets

One of the theory of the origin of life proposed possibility of advent of life on earth from space or some other planet. This intrigued many to look for life on other planets.  

9). Travelling in space and/ or time:

Eienstien theory of relativity has opened the avenue for time travelling.

The limits of scientific methods:

1). The scientific methods involve independent observations directly or indirectly by the sense organs. The methods thus cannot understand the phenomena that are beyond observation by humans directly or via some machines. The advent of new methods for example gene silencing has enabled the scientist to record direct relation of gene and phenotype, which was not that accurate and precision before the advent of the methods.

2). The scientific conclusions are based on stringent observations. The data obtained is analyzed statistically using critical tests at high confidence levels. Often, the attempts to be accurate, compromise with the observations near the cutoffs.

3). Under field settings, a number of the confounding factors affecting the results are often beyond human control. Thus, not properly controlled experiment may add to skewed observation and may, therefore add to the confusion rather than contributing the knowledge.

Under laboratory conditions, esp., the biological samples loss genetic variability that may also skew the results.

4). Some celestial phenomena that occur in thousands of years are hard to study and replicate.On the other hand, some frequent events such as lightning are random enough that it becomes impossible to predict the site of next event.

Journey of hypothesis to conclusion:

Once a hypothesis is formulated. The next step is to design a standard methodology to test the hypothesis.

Methodology:

Design of methods to test a hypothesis should consider the knowledge available so far, materials available to conduct the methods, expertly trained hands to perform the experiments.

An effective methodology includes proper controls for the hypothesis tested. The control and test samples should be run in identical conditions such as temperature, light conditions, and pressure. The methods must be simple yet fool-proof.

The data must be generated in many replicates and to be conducted at least thrice before starting analyzing and drawing conclusions.

Observation:

The results obtained from any protocol must be observed carefully and each and every observation must be then recorded carefully. Proper record keeping is very important for increasing the credibility of the results.

Tabulation:

The raw data must be tabulated such that the contrasting results can be compared with ease. Wherever required the data must be represented in graphs, bar diagrams, pie chart etc., according to the needs of the data.

Statistical analysis

Appropriate statistical tests should be employed to negate the false positives and ambiguity.

Interpretation:

The interpretation of the data must be carried out in the light of the available knowledge. The interpretation should involve rigorous, brain-storming discussion.

Conclusion:

Based upon the unbiased interpretations the conclusions must be drawn to accept or reject a hypothesis.