Nature of Science – Ethical Practices

How Scientists Work

Scientists use systematic methods of study to make observations and collect facts. These methods enable them to make discoveries or to develop theories. Scientific methods can be any of the following –

1. Observing Nature – such as studying the motion of heavenly bodies to predict the seasons, or studying plants and animals to evolve the Theory of Evolution.
2. Classifying Data – for example, the classification of elements into the Periodic Table.
3. Using Logic or Reasoningto to draw conclusions, such as deducing Gravitational Force from an object falling to earth.
4. Conducting experiments–which is the major tool for developing and testing scientific theories. The laws of nature, the circulation of blood, the properties of light, all these are examples of experimental outcomes.
5. Forming a hypothesis – based on talent, skill and creativity, scientists first form a hypothesis and then use experimentation to test the hypothesis. The discovery of Neptune as a planet was the result of a hypothesis based on the movement of Uranus.
6. Expressing findings mathematically – Galileo, Newton, Einstein, to name just a few, propounded mathematical equations to establish various relationships in nature such as for falling bodies and the relation of mass and energy.

Scientific methods can, therefore, vary from reporting based on Direct Observation and Recording of phenomena based on Experimentation and Testing to Inference and Prediction based on Logic and Hypotheses.

Check Point

1. Which of the following is NOT a branch of science?
   1. Physics
   2. Botany
   3. Humanities
   4. Anthropology
2. Which of the following is NOT a systematic scientific method?
   1. Classifying Data
   2. Using Logic or Reasoning
   3. Expressing findings mathematically
   4. Guesswork
3. Which of the following is NOT an ethical practice in scientific inquiry?
   1. Obtaining the consent of research participants
   2. Manipulating data to suit the theory
   3. Removal of biases in observations and reporting
   4. Professional competence and discipline

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