Science Skills

 Scientists use different skills (most used by you and I everyday) that we refer to as scientific skills. The development of these skills and processes allows them to solve problems, think critically, make decisions, find answers, and satisfy their curiosity.  The following skills and processes are central to scientists throughout the world:

• observing
• measuring
• classifying
• inferring
• predicting
• communicating
• hypothesizing
• designing experiments
• controlling variables
• analyzing data
• formulating models

Observing		Observing involves obtaining information about objects, situations, or events using as many senses as possible. Observations may be qualitative or quantitative in nature. Observing provides both a basis for new inferences or hypotheses and a tool for testing existing inferences and hypotheses.
Measuring		Observations are quantified using non-standard and then standard units. Length, area, volume, mass, time intervals and force are among the measurements used. Appropriate measurement instruments and units within the metric system are selected.
Classifying		Classifying involves grouping objects, concepts, or events to show similarities, differences, and inter-relationships.
Inferring		Inferring means suggesting more about a set of conditions than is observed. Inferences are based on observed data and past experience. To infer means to make a conclusion based on observations.
Predicting		When you predict, you state what you think might happen in the future.  Predictions are based on past experiences and observations.
Communicating		Communicating is the process of organizing the data or information that is collected between the observation stage and the interpretation or experimental stage. It usually involves organizing "rough" data in a more compact and meaningful way (ordering, rearranging, comparing), depicting the data pictorially or graphically, and processing it mathematically (finding slopes, tangents) to facilitate interpretations.
Hypothesizing		When you state a hypothesis, you state one possible explanation for some event that happened.  Your hypothesis is based on information that you already know (from your research). Hypotheses are based on observations or inferences about a set of events. A hypothesis should be testable.
Designing an Experiment		Experimenting is a cause-and-effect test between two variables. All processes may be involved. This can begin with setting a problem to be solved, identifying the variables to be controlled, making operational definitions, devising the test to be carried out, and following the prescribed procedure.
Controlling Variables		Controlling variables involves the process of deciding which variables or factors will influence the outcome of an experiment, situation, or event, and deliberately controlling all recognized variables in a systematic manner.
Analyzing Data		Once data has been recorded and organized, you need to analyze the data.   When you analyze data, you study the data to look for trends or patterns.  You are looking to see if your data support your hypothesis, prediction, or inference.
Formulating Models		This process involves the use of physical or mental models to describe something that is unfamiliar.

Science and Society

Scientists ask questions, make observations, and try to come up with explanations for the things they observe. Therefore, for a subject to be studied scientifically, a scientist must be able to observe and test it.  Questions about ethics and values cannot be investigated scientifically.  Scientists cannot construct experiments to answer such questions.  

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