Scientific Attitudes

by Shweta Bose in Philosophy, July 10, 2011

Basic principles of scientific literacy
Skills and attitudes in science and technology.

A scientific culture that comes from scientific training should enable students to answer questions, solve problems and make decisions. We refer to these processes as the scientific study, the technological problem solving and decision making. Although the skills and attitudes included in these processes is not the exclusive domain of science, they play an important role in the evolution of an understanding of science and the application of science and technology in situations news.

Scientific Study

The scientific study is a way to understand a little more the universe. This study requires a questioning and searching for explanations of phenomena. Although there is not really a single scientific method, students require certain skills to conduct scientific activities in the life of every day.

Skills such as questioning, observation, inference, prediction, measurement, hypothesis, classification, experimental design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data are fundamental to the scientific study as are attitudes such as curiosity, skepticism and creativity. These skills and attitudes are often represented as a cycle that includes a phase of questioning, generation of possible explanations and data collection in order to determine which of these explanations is most useful and accurate to understand the phenomenon the study. Occasionally, new issues may arise to restart the cycle. Interestingly, many scientific studies have not followed and do not always follow a predetermined sequence. That is to say that researcher can take the initiative and respond to scientific challenges as and when they arise.

Read more in Philosophy

« Random Sayings & Phrases

Seeing Past The Limit »

Technological problem solving
Problem solving technology allows students to seek solutions to problems that arise when humans try to adapt to the environment. Kindergarten to Grade 8, students develop the skills and attitudes needed to solve problems through a cycle called the design process. The cycle of the design process includes various stages such as design, manufacture and testing of an object, device or system in order to obtain an optimal solution to a problem. Within this cycle, are also the feedback and evaluation. In the secondary years, skills and attitudes related to problem solving technological problems are incorporated in the process of decision making.

STSE Issues and Decision Making
The student personally and as citizens of the world must be able to make decisions. Increasingly, the types of issues that he or she has to face require the ability to apply the processes and products of science and technology with a view “Science, Technology, Society and Environment (STSE).” The process of decision making involves a series of steps including:

Clarification of an issue;
Critical evaluation of all available information;
Developing options for a decision;
Choosing the best decision among the options developed;
Impact Review (potential or current) of a decision;
a reflection on the process itself.
Throughout his training in science, students should take an active part in decision-making situations. These are not only important in themselves, but they also provide a relevant context for the scientific study, the technological problem solving and the study of STSE interactions.