Scientific Understanding – Comprehensive Science 3
Mrs. Bloch
2-1 The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
Vocabulary
Observing-using one or more of your senses to gather
information
Data- facts, figures, and other evidence collected during a
scientific investigation
Empirical Evidence-data and observations that have been
collected through scientific processes and that explain a
particular observation
Inferring- explaining observations in a logical manner. It
does not mean guessing wildly
Vocabulary
Objective Reasoning-reasoning that is based on
evidence
Subjective Reasoning-Reasoning that is based on
personal feelings or personal values
Opinions- personal feelings
Pseudoscience-a set of beliefs that may make use of
science but whose conclusions and predictions are not
based on observation, objective reasoning or scientific
evidence.
My Planet Diary pg. 52
Bittersweet - In 2007, scientists found they had a mystery on their hands. In
some countries, commercial honeybees began dying off in very large
numbers. Honeybees pollinate crops such as apples, nuts, celery, and
squash. If the mystery went unsolved, basic foods might become scarce!
Scientists began to investigate. In 2009, they compared the genes in
healthy honeybees to the genes in sick honeybees. They found evidence
that certain viruses attack proteins in honeybees. The afflicted bees seem
unable to produce proteins that can fight the viruses. So the bees die.
1. Why did scientists have to keep investigating even after they
thought they had found a reason why honeybees were dying?
2. How might your life be affected if large numbers of honeybees
keep dying?
What Activities Do Scientific Investigations
Involve? Pg. 53
Scientific investigations involve:
 Observing
 Collecting Empirical Evidence
 Using Logical Reasoning
 Inferring
 Applying Imagination.
**Observing means using one or more of your senses to
gather information.
Observing is the process of gathering
information from which scientific conclusions are
drawn.
Observing pg. 53
**Observing means using one or more of your
senses to gather information.
Observing is the
process of gathering
information from
which scientific
conclusions are
drawn.
Counting Crows – figure 1 pg. 53
Researchers wearing masks trapped crows (1). Then the
researchers put bands around the crows’ legs (2). Then they
walked around, recording crows’ reactions (3).
1. What senses did the researchers use
When observing the crows?
____________________________
____________________________
2. Why did the researchers wear
Masks when they put the bands
On the crow’s legs?
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Figure 2 – pg. 54 - Conclusions and
Empirical Evidence
While wearing a caveman mask, a researcher walked away from a particular
crow in the area they were studying. A second researcher walked away from the
same crow while wearing a different mask.
Collecting Empirical Evidence pg. 54
Data are facts, figures, and other evidence collected during a
scientific investigation.
Empirical evidence is data and observations that have been
collected through scientific processes and that also explain a
particular observation.
All scientific investigations
involve the collection of relevant empirical
evidence to support researchers’ conclusions.
Using Logical Reasoning pg. 54
Scientists use logical reasoning to examine their data and reach
conclusions that explain their observation.
SCD, TEF, UGH, ____, WKL
A. CMN
C. VIJ
B. UJI
D. IJT
Inferring pg. 55
Scientific investigations involve inferring, or
basing conclusions on reasoning from what is already
known.
Inferring means explaining
Observations in a logical
Manner. It does not mean
Guessing wildly.
Applying Imagination pg. 55
Applying Imagination is an important element
of scientific investigation. It helps scientists design
experiments. It also allows scientists to solve scientific
problems and see patterns in data that no one else has
noticed.
-When the scientists decided to use caveman masks that
showed their creative thinking.
Assess Your Understanding pg. 55
1a. Review- (Empirical evidence / logical reasoning) is data
and observations collected through scientific research,
indicating that a specific explanation is true.
b. Understand- In scientific investigations, how does empirical
evidence help scientists devise hypotheses?______________
_________________________________________________
c. Identify Faulty Reasoning- Review the empirical evidence
collected in the crow experiment. Suppose a certain
researcher used the evidence to conclude that all birds
recognize human faces. Why would that be a faulty
conclusion? _______________________________________
_________________________________________________
I get it! Now I know activities involved in scientific
investigations include _______________________________
_________________________________________________
Objective and Subjective Reasoning Pg. 56
There are two general types of reasoning:
OBJECTIVE REASONING
Objective reasoning
is based on evidence.
&
SUBJECTIVE REASONING
Subjective reasoning
is based on personal
feelings or personal
values(opinions).
If you base your conclusion on your opinions, or personal
feelings, you could reach the incorrect conclusion.
Science Versus Pseudoscience pg. 57
A pseudoscience is a set of beliefs that may
make use of science but that is not based on
observation, objective reasoning, or scientific
evidence.
Science is based on empirical
evidence and well-reasoned
interpretation of data.
But the conclusions of pseudoscience are based on either
subjective reasoning or faulty beliefs, rather than careful
examination of evidence.
Starry-Eyed – Figure 4
Scientists make use of empirical evidence and relevant data to draw conclusions.
People who practice pseudoscience do not.
Distinguish- Look at the outline of star patterns called Taurus (also known as “the bull”).
Identify whether each statement below is based on
science (S) or on pseudoscience (P).
______People whose zodiac sign is
Taurus tend to be loyal.
______Aldebaran is the brightest star in
the constellation Taurus.
______Each year, Taurus reaches its
highest point in the sky in January.
______Taurus is a constellation, or pattern
of stars.
______Scientists know that bulls are
colorblind. So many people whose
zodiac sign is Taurus cannot tell
green and red apart.
Assess Your Understanding pg. 58
2a. Summarize- The conclusions of (science / pseudoscience) are
based on subjective reasoning.
b. Distinguish- Is palm-reading a science or a pseudoscience?
Explain. _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
I get it! Now I know that science is based on empirical evidence.
Although pseudoscience makes use of scientific data, the conclusion
of pseudoscience are based on _____________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
What Characterizes Science and Its Methods?
Pg. 59
Science and its methods are characterized by an
ordered approach to learning about the world.
This approach relies on objective analysis of data
obtained through careful investigation. Because
scientific investigations are well-reasoned, they
can be repeated by other scientists to confirm
results.
Although science is based on empirical evidence
and objective reasoning, its results are open to
new discoveries and change.
Apply it! Pg. 59
Scientists once believed coral reefs
thrive only in very shallow water,
where sunlight can easily reach the
reefs. But in 1999, scientists
discovered a reef off Florida’s
southwest coast that lies at depths of
up to 80 meters. Scientists believe
this reef can thrive because the water
around the reef is clear enough for
sunlight to reach the reef.
1. Summarize- How did scientists revise their original hypothesis
to explain where reefs can thrive? _______________________
___________________________________________________
2. Discuss- How does the scientists’ new hypothesis illustrate the
characteristics of science and its methods? ___________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Assess Your Understanding pg. 59
I get it! Now I know that science and its methods are
characterized by ___________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________