Ch 22: Understanding the Nature of Science
About This Chapter
Understanding the Nature of Science - Chapter Summary
Let us make your reviews easy and fun with this chapter of text and video lessons to help you understand the nature of science. You can view lessons about the dynamic nature of science, choice of suitable scientific models, differences between experiments and observational studies, and more. Short self-assessments await you at the conclusion of the lessons to give you opportunities to test what you know. Other subjects that are included in this chapter are as follows:
- Nature of science
- Hypothesis and law in science
- Definition of scientific investigation
- Observance of natural changes in natural phenomena
- Definition of classification in science
- Organization of experimental results
- Ways to think scientifically
The study resources in this chapter are mobile-friendly. The lessons and quizzes are short to help you review quickly. Print out the worksheets and their answers to study while you're away from digital devices.

1. The Nature of Science
This lesson will explore the basic nature of science. It will distinguish science from pseudoscience and hypothesis from theory and natural law; it will give plenty of examples of each.

2. Hypothesis, Theory & Law in Science
In this lesson, learn how to define hypothesis, theory, and law in science. Then, discover the ways that these ideas are related to each other and how they help us to explain the universe around us.

3. The Dynamic Nature of Science & Natural Phenomena
In this lesson we'll talk about how science is done and how science corrects errors. We'll also talk about the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.

4. What is Scientific Investigation? - Definition, Steps & Examples
Scientific investigation is the way in which scientists and researchers use a systematic approach to answer questions about the world around us. Read on to find out more. A quiz is provided to test your understanding.

5. Observing Changes in Natural Phenomena Over Time
Science is all about observing changes - even when they are difficult to observe. Learn about how scientists observe changes in natural phenomena over time. Test your knowledge after the lesson with a quiz.

6. What is Classification in Science? - Definition & System
In order to understand things in science, we need organization. Because science is such a large umbrella term, we have to organize it into different topics. Learn more about classification in science, and take a quiz to test your knowledge.

7. Selecting Appropriate Models in Science
Scientific models are used to describe physical phenomenon and are tested against real world data. In this lesson, you will become familiar with a real example of how scientists select appropriate models for their work including knowledge of their limitations.

8. Organizing & Reporting Experimental Results
This lesson discusses how to present experimental results in a scientific paper, and includes writing style, why it is important to be selective in reporting data, and when to use text, tables, and figures.

9. Experiments vs Observational Studies: Definition, Differences & Examples
There are different ways to collect data for research. In this lesson, you will learn about collecting data through observational studies and experiments and the differences between each.

10. Scientific Ways of Thinking
Are you interested in becoming a scientist? Science is all about gaining knowledge by asking good questions, making observations, testing your ideas and drawing conclusions. With a little practice, you can learn to think like a scientist.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the FTCE Elementary Education K-6 (060): Practice & Study Guide course
- About the FTCE Elementary Education K-6 Test
- Understanding Emergent Literacy
- The Reading Process & Comprehension Strategies
- Representations of Information in the Classroom
- Literary Analysis & Genres
- Understanding & Teaching the Writing Process
- Literacy Instruction & Assessment
- Classroom Organization & Grouping
- Communication & Media Literacy
- Social Science Instruction & Comprehension
- Cultural Contributions & Technological Developments in History
- World Civilizations & Historical Timelines
- Age of Exploration, Settlement & Growth
- Florida & U.S. History
- History's Impact on World Institutions
- Fundamental Geography Concepts
- Regional Divides & Connections
- Fundamental Government & Civics Concepts
- Fundamental Economics Concepts
- Strategies for Science Instruction
- Tools & Resources for Science Instruction
- Scientific Data Interpretation & Analysis
- Interdisciplinary Nature of Science
- Basics of Physical Science
- Basics of Earth Science
- Basics of Space Science
- Cells & Organ Systems
- Life Science Classification & Life Cycles
- Interactions Among Living Things
- Basics of Plant Biology
- Mathematics Instructional Practices
- Interpreting Numbers, Data & Expressions
- Properties of Equality & Operations
- Solving Arithmetic & Word Problems
- Number Theory Concepts
- Fractions, Ratios & Integers
- Measurement, Data & Statistics
- Geometric Concepts
- Studying for FTCE Elementary Education
- FTCE Elementary Education K-6 Flashcards