Science as Body of Knowledge:
Some experts consider science as a body of knowledge, which consists of various facts, concepts and theories. Scientific knowledge exists in various forms and facts, concepts, hypothesis and theories are some of the important forms of such knowledge.
Nature of science is dynamic and non-static. It is because of this reason that new knowledge gained through new investigation and studies lead to re-arrangement and re-orientation of existing principles and theories. Nothing is being proved by science in absolute terms.
It is only through the processes of observations and measurement that various kinds of data are being accumulated by scientists. Such data are being assembled by scientists on basis of which they form a hypothesis, which is the formula expressing kind of relationship existing in between the concepts or things analysed. A faulty hypothesis is being replaced by the correct one, which lead to total change in theory or laws constructed by earlier observations or studies.
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Science as Method of Inquiry:
As said earlier that science is an organised and systematic analyses of various facts. Not only this, it is with inspiration, imagination and insight that any specific problem is being approached by scientists. For finding out the reasons of any process, some specific and set steps are being taken by such persons.
Such steps are very organised in nature and they are taken one-by-one. It is not possible to make any kind of change in their sequence as it can lead to faulty results or outcomes. In the first step, scientists carefully analyse the problem to which they have to study.
After this, they try to gather all kinds of relevant information relating to the problem. On the basis of gathered observations, they construct a hypothesis. From such hypothesis, they develop testable predictions of other related observable phenomena.
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Through careful observation, they test the developed hypothesis. It is on the basis of empirical observation that they take the decision as to whether they should support the result, or reject it or should make any kind of change in it. All these steps are to be taken in this order and all of them collectively develop the concept of scientific method.
Science as a Way of Thinking:
One of the most important outcomes of science is acquisition of scientific attitude, mention of which has been done earlier. A person who posses scientific attitude will be able to judge all the facts rationally and he will try to find out the reason or cause which led to any kind of change.
A person with scientific way of thinking will have open mind and he will be freed from all kinds of narrow mindness. He will be able to view all the situations objectively and make use of methodical manners in solving different kinds of problems arising in his daily life. Thus, through this perspective, it can be said that science is a rational and more practical way of thinking, which brings about a change in one’s views and outlooks.
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An important fact regarding science is that through this subject, information relating to various generalised theories and principles is being provided to the students. Various things or objects existing around human beings are being explained through the subject of science.
In today’ world, field of science has got expanded to considerable extent, as a result of which a vast and huge body of scientific knowledge exist. Another perspective by which science can be looked down is that it is a package of science processes through which information relating to external world can be gained to considerable extent.