Notes for students

  Class: B.Ed. II Sem

Subject: Pedagogy of Physics    Topic: Meaning of science

Compiled By: Dr. Jyoti Gangrade

Science is a body of knowledge obtained by methods based upon observation

 • Science is a systematic process of acquiring and organizing knowledge about the natural world through observation, experimentation, and analysis • It involves developing testable explanations (hypotheses) and theories based on evidence • It use the scientific method to refine understanding • Essentially, science is a way of knowing, a dynamic and evolving body of knowledge about the universe

Systematic Study: Science is not just a collection of facts; it's a structured approach to learning about the world •Natural World: Science primarily focuses on the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the universe, including things like atoms, plants, ecosystems, and galaxies.

Observation and Experimentation: Science relies on gathering data through careful observation and conducting experiments to test hypotheses.

Evidence-Based: Scientific conclusions are based on evidence that can be verified and replicated by others.

 Dynamic and Evolving: Scientific knowledge is constantly being refined as new evidence emerges and theories are updated or replaced.

 Not Supernatural: Science does not deal with supernatural explanations or forces, as these are outside the realm of testable phenomena.

Science as a Process: • Inquiry-based: Science is driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the world, leading to questions and investigations.

• Methodical: It follows a systematic approach, including observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, data analysis, and conclusion.

• Dynamic: Scientific knowledge is constantly refined and updated as new evidence emerges.

 • Skills-based: Science process skills like observing, classifying, measuring, inferring, predicting, and experimenting are crucial for scientific inquiry.

Science as a Product:

 Organized Knowledge: Science is a structured body of knowledge encompassing facts, concepts, laws, and theories. • Facts and Generalizations: These are the foundational building blocks of scientific knowledge. • Hypotheses, Theories, and Models: These represent different levels of understanding, from tentative explanations to well-established frameworks.

Terms, Facts, Concepts, Principles, Theories, Laws, and Rules are the basic components of the products of science.

Relationship between Science as a Process and Product:

 • The scientific process is used to generate the product of scientific knowledge.

• The product (knowledge) provides a framework for future investigations and advancements in the process.

• Scientific knowledge is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made through the scientific process. In essence, science is a continuous cycle of inquiry and discovery, resulting in a growing body of knowledge that informs our understanding of the universe.