lesson15 background 现代大学英语精读第四册课件.pptVIP

Background Lesson 15 What is the ``scientific method?  The scientific method is the process by which scientists, collectively and over time, endeavor to construct an accurate (that is, reliable, consistent and non-arbitrary) representation of the world. Flow diagram describing the scientific method. Characteristics of everyday and scientific approach The scientific method does not require a particular type of equipment, nor is it associated with a particular procedure or technique. The scientific method is something abstract General approach: intuitive vs. empirical Observation: casual, uncontrolled vs. systematical, controlled Reporting: biased, subjective vs. unbiased, objective Concepts: ambiguous, with surplus meaning vs. clear definitions, operational specificity Instruments: inaccurate, imprecise vs. accurate, precise Measurement: not valid or reliable vs. valid and reliable Hypotheses: untestable vs. testable Attitude: uncritical, accepting vs. critical, skeptical The great plains Mount Rushmore: Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Scott: Mount Scott is a huge surprise, looking like a real mountain rising out of the middle of Oklahoma. Darwinian theory Titles of British nobility Duke公爵 Marquess侯爵 Earl, Count,伯爵 .Viscount.子爵 Baron.男爵 Baronet.准男爵 · 从男爵 the first Richard: Richard first, King of England , otherwise known as the Lion-Hearted. * * The scientific method is the best way yet discovered for winnowing the truth from lies and delusion. The simple version looks something like this: 1. Observe some aspect of the universe. 2. Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis, that is consistent with what you have observed. 3. Use the hypothesis to make predictions. 4. Test those predictions by experiments or further observations and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results. 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies betwee