The present slide explains what is Science, the Nature of Science, meaning and definitions are given.

1. SCIENCE
By
Dr. S.Jerslin

2. MEANING
O Science is the field of study concerned with
discovering and describing the world around us
by observing and experimenting. Biology,
chemistry, and physics are all branches of science.
O The word Science comes from Latin word
"scientia" meaning "knowledge" and in the
broadest sense it is any systematic knowledge-base
or prescriptive practice capable of resulting in
prediction. Science can also be understood as a
highly skilled technique or practice.
O (https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/science)

3. DEFINITION
O “knowledge attained through study or practice“
O Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary
O A branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts
or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of
general laws: for example, mathematical science
O Systemic knowledge of the physical or material world gained
through observations and experimentation.
O Systematized knowledge in general
O Any of the particular branches of natural or physical sciences
O Knowledge of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study
O Skill especially reflecting a precise application of facts or principle
O https://explorable.com/definition-of-science

4. Con…
O “Because ‘science’ denotes such a very wide range
of activities a definition of it needs to be general; it
certainly needs to cover investigation of the social
as well as natural worlds; it needs the words
“systematic” and “evidence”; and it needs to be
simple and short. The definition succeeds in all
these respects admirably, and I applaud it
therefore.”
O A C Grayling commending the definition in the
Guardian, March 2009
O https://sciencecouncil.org/about-science/our-
definition-of-science/

5. Con…
O According to Green-“ Science is a way of
investigation”
O Also Read CV Raman Contribution to Science
O According to John Woodbourn and E.O Obourn-
“Science is the human endeavour that seeks to
describe with ever-increasing accuracy, the
events and circumstances that occur or exist
within our natural environment
O According to Albert Einstein-“Science searches for
relations that are thought to exist independently
of the searching individuals
O https://educerecentre.com/nature-of-science/

6. Nature of Science
(Characteristics)
O 1. Science as body of knowledge
O Science has been characterized as a body of knowledge obtained
by scientists. This body of knowledge includes facts, concepts,
theories that are subject to error and change.
O Various types of scientific knowledge exist in the form of
O Facts
O Concepts, principles and laws
O Hypothesis and theories
O 2. Science is a dynamic body, not static
O Science is a dynamic body as it is always in search of truth and
scientific truth can never be taken as absolutely and permanently
true. Scientific information is constantly being re-arranged and re-
oriented in the light of the latest developments.

7. Con…
O 3. Science is a process as well as product
O Science as a process covers all the methods, all the ways facts are
established. The process involves the following activities
O Steps to accomplish a task
O Ways of doing work
O Planning various stages of an activity
O Establishing systematic steps for gathering and retaining information
4. Process
O In science, the ways of gathering data or information, thinking, measuring,
solving problems or in other words ways of learning science are called
“Process of Science”.
O The process of science gives rise to a number of products of knowledge
like facts, concepts, theories, laws and generalization. These products are
of great utility to human beings.

8. Con…
O Scientific knowledge is durable
O Although scientist rejects the idea of attaining absolute truth and accept
some uncertainty as part of nature, most scientific knowledge is durable.
Continuity and stability are as characteristics of science as change is and
confidence is as prevalent as tentativeness.
O 5. Science is based on scientific methodology
O The very nature of science involves a particularly methodical approach
towards it. These methods are observation and enquiry.
O 6. Scientific knowledge is based on inquiry(review)
O The exchange of techniques, information and concepts goes on all the time
among scientists and there is a common understanding among them about
what constitutes an investigation that is scientifically valid.
O 7. Scientific knowledge based on evidence
O The validity of scientific claims is settled by referring to the observation of
phenomena. Hence, Scientists concentrate on getting “ Accurate data”,
such evidence is obtained by observation and measurements taken in
situations that range from natural settings to completely artificial ones.

9. Con…
O 7. Science is a blend of logic and imagination
O Although all sorts of imagination and thought may be used in
coming up with hypotheses and theories, sooner or later scientific
arguments must conform to the principle of logical reasoning
O 9. Science explains and also predicts
O It is not enough for a scientific theory to fit only the observations
that are already known but theories also should fit additional
observation that was not used in formulating the theories in the
first place. i.e theories should have predictive power
O 10. Science is an enterprise
O Science as an enterprise has individual, social and institutional
dimensions. Other than that there are an infinite number of
characteristics of science as

10. Con…
O Scientific knowledge is holistic and humanistic
O Science is based on values of objectively
rationality and neutrality
O Science is universal i.e facts and concepts,
generalization, theories and laws have universal
acceptance and application
O Science knowledge is based on assumption
accumulated over years of experience.
O https://educerecentre.com/nature-of-science/

11. IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE
O Science is the greatest collective endeavor. It
contributes to ensuring a longer and healthier life,
monitors our health, provides medicine to cure our
diseases, alleviates aches and pains, helps us to provide
water for our basic needs – including our food, provides
energy and makes life more fun, including sports,
music, entertainment and the latest communication
technology. Last but not least, it nourishes our spirit.
O https://en.unesco.org/themes/science-
society#:~:text=In%20other%20words%2C%20science
%20is,societal%20needs%20and%20global%20challen
ges.

12. Con…
O Science plays a vital role in man’s life. The applications
of Science are noticed right from the time a person
starts his day till he goes to sleep. We use many
machines in our daily life which work from the simple
logic of science.
O Scientific inventions like computers, satellites, x-rays,
radium, plastic surgery, cell phones, electricity, the
internet, photography, etc., have proved to be very
useful.
O It is because of science that we are able to cope better
with illnesses today. This has made our lives easier and
increased our lifespan. This has been possible due to the
hard and continuous inventions and the theories of
scientists. We use many forms of transportation like
cars, buses, trucks, etc., to travel from one place to

13. Con…
O Importance of Science and Technology in Different Fields
O The civilizations of the world have progressed to a higher rank due to
the benefits of science. Science has contributed in endless ways to
make our daily life comfortable and easy. Today’s world knows about
the importance of Green Chemistry, and the importance of Geology.
We do not have to stay in darkness at the night. This has been possible
as a result of the invention of bulbs and electricity. The few benefits
of science in different fields are listed below:
O Transportation: Science has developed, invented, and discovered
different mediums of swift communication such as trains, motor
vehicles, boats or aircraft, etc., that are very useful for us in our
everyday life. Human beings have conquered Time and distance. We
can explore the world in a shorter time through various modes of
transportation. Transportation of goods has been made easy. The
automobile and transport industry has grown tremendously due to
developments in science and technology.
O Communication: Science has invented wonders in the field of
communication and has transformed human life. The telephone,

14. O Medicine: Advances in the biomedical field have led to fewer infections or
lethal diseases than ever before. Physicians nowadays are more positive in
their ability to cure or control them because of new inventions. Medicine
has made large health advancements by supplying facts and care for
different chronic conditions. Technology has enabled us to access these
therapies via large devices and methods such as pacemakers, MRI
machines, X-rays, ECG, operating systems, etc.
O Agriculture: Science has made the farmer’s life easier and faster in many
ways like sowing seeds, harvesting, spraying fertilisers, irrigation, etc., by
improved machines. Farmers and scientists have used plant selection and
breeding techniques to improve crop yield and quality. A better variety of
seeds are used to enhance crop production.
O Construction: Advancements in science have made construction sites
safer and workers more efficient and has allowed us to increase
productivity, improve collaboration, and tackle more complex projects with
the help of machines such as bulldozers, backhoe loaders, motor graders,
etc.
O https://www.embibe.com/exams/importance-of-science/