Page 29 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

Because science is an active, creative process, innova-
tive researchers regularly depart from the traditional scien-
tific method when particular situations demand it. Moreover,
scientists in different fields approach their work differently
because they deal with dissimilar types of information. A
natural scientist, such as a chemist, conducts research quite
differently than a social scientist, such as a sociologist. None-
theless, scientists of all persuasions broadly agree on funda-
mental elements of the process of scientific inquiry.
As practiced by individual researchers or research teams,
the scientific method (FIGURE 1.9) typically consists of the steps
outlined below.
Make observations Advances in science typically begin
with the observation of some phenomenon that the scientist
(a) Chevy Volt, an electric hybrid car wishes to explain. Observations set the scientific method in
motion and also function throughout the process.

Ask questions Curiosity is a fundamental human char-
acteristic. Just observe the explorations of young children in
a new environment—they want to touch, taste, watch, and
listen to everything that catches their attention, and as soon as
they can speak, they begin asking questions. Scientists, in this
respect, are kids at heart. Why are certain plants or animals
less common today than they once were? Why are storms
becoming more severe and flooding more frequent? What
is causing excessive growth of algae in local ponds? When
pesticides poison fish or frogs, are people also affected? All of
these are questions environmental scientists ask.

Scientific method

Observations

(b) Prescribed burning
Questions
FIGURE 1.8 Scientific knowledge can be applied in engineer-
ing and technology and in policy and management decisions.
Energy-efficient electric automobiles such as the Chevy Volt (a) are
technological advances made possible by materials and energy
research. Prescribed burning (b), shown here in the Ouachita National Hypothesis
Forest, Arkansas, is a management practice to restore healthy forests
that is informed by scientific research into forest ecology.

Once enough basic information is known about a subject, Predictions
scientists can begin posing questions that seek deeper expla-
nations about how and why things are the way they are. At this Reject
point they may pursue hypothesis-driven science, research hypothesis.
that proceeds in a more targeted and structured manner, using Test Fail to reject Form a
new one.
hypothesis.
experiments to test hypotheses within a framework tradition- Test a new
ally known as the scientific method. prediction.
The scientific method is a traditional Results
approach to research FIGURE 1.9 The scientific method is the traditional experi-
mental approach that scientists use to learn how the world
The scientific method is a technique for testing ideas with works. This simple diagram, although useful and instructive,
observations. There is nothing mysterious or intimidating about cannot convey the true dynamic and creative nature of science.
the scientific method; it is merely a formalized version of the Researchers often pursue their work in ways that vary legitimately
28 way any of us might naturally use logic to resolve a question. from this model.

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