1. Kristin Lowe
November 28, 2011
Senior Seminar
Period 6
Science Notes
Natural Sciences
Page 220-221
Pseudo-science: fake science
-what distinguishes a pseudo-science is that it claims the status
of a science while lacking its substance. Ex: “crystology” –a set of
beliefs about magical power of crystals which claim to be
scientific but have not been scientifically tested.
Page 225-226
The Scientific Method:
Inductivism:
1. Observation
2. Hypothesis
3. Experiment
4. Law
5. Theory
Good experiments consist of:
- Controllability: vary only 1 factor at a time so the effect can be
determined.
- Measurability: can measure the relevant variables. Adds
precision and objectivity to your experiment.
- Repeatability: an experiment that can be repeated by other
people who will be able to confirm your results. Ensures your
results have some kind of objectivity.
If experimental results confirm your hypothesis, may have
discovered a scientific law.
Page 228-231
Problems with Observation:
Science is based on observation, but observation is not as
straight forward as it first seems.
Problems of relevance, expectations, expert seeing and the
observer effect.
- Expectations can influence what we see.
- The use of scientific equipment such as microscopes and
telescopes to make observations further complicates things.

2. - The act of observation can sometimes affect what we observe.
- Confirmation bias
Human Sciences
Page 257-262
Features associated with self-consciousness that seem to be
unique to us are: language, reason, free-will, and creativity.
- Our belief in human free-will seems to conflict with the idea that
there are law-like regularities in human behavior.
Page 270
Individual behavior is unpredictable, but can make short term
predictions
- Law of large numbers says that in a large population random
variations tend to cancel out.
Page 278-280
Confirmation bias
Predictionsnot accurate
Summary of Problems
Observation:
1) Cannot directly observe other people’s minds
2) Questionnaires may be misleading or biased.
3) Observing people may affect the way they behave.
Measurement:
4) Social phenomena’s are difficult to measure
Hypothesis:
5) Act of prediction may affect behavior predicted.
Experiments:
6) Human sciences study complex social situations in which it is
difficult to run controlled experiments.
7) Various moral considerations limit our willingness to
experiment.
Laws:
8) Human sciences are not very good at predicting though.
9) Human sciences uncover trends rather than laws.
10) Science laws are probabilistic in nature.