Preview

Scientific Theory

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
648 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Scientific Theory
Scientific Theory
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspects of the natural world, based on a body of knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Scientist creates scientific theories from hypothesis that have been corroborated through the scientific method, then gather evidence to test their accuracy. The strength of a scientific theory is related to the diversity of phenomena it can explain, which is measured by its ability to make falsifiable predictions with respect to the phenomena. Scientific theories are the most reliable, rigorous, and comprehensive for of scientific knowledge.
The scientific method involves the proposal and testing of hypotheses, by deriving predictions from the hypothesis about the result of future experiments, then performing the experiments to see whether the predictions are valid. Theories do not have to be perfectly accurate to be scientifically useful. Scientific theories aren’t the end results of the scientific method; they can be proven or rejected like a hypothesis. A scientific theory is the base for furthering scientific knowledge and putting it to use. Scientific theory is the most reliable, comprehensive form of scientific knowledge. Laws and scientific theories are produced from the scientific method through the formation and testing of hypotheses, and may predict the behavior of the natural world. In non-science context, the word “theory” points toward something that is unproven or speculative. In science, on the other hand, a theory is an explanation or model based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning. Any scientific theory has to be based on a careful and rational examination of the facts. Theories must include statements that have factual consequences. Both scientific laws and scientific theories are made from the scientific method through the formation of testing of hypotheses, and can predict the behavior of the natural world. Both are

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    In this society today, science is a method of discovering how things will impact what will happen in our future. However, scientific discovery is getting the correct information through a process or steps. It also is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena (free dictionary). Science is expanding the knowledge of the world around us to make sure that the knowledge of science is available.…

    • 288 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Biol 101 Hw1

    • 1049 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Scientific theories are terms used to describe the way the natural world functions. Such examples are, cells are the basic unit of a living organism, homeostasis is the internal environment all living organisms must maintain at equilibrium, genes code for the formation of an organism, evolution leads to many different species that can adapt to the changing environment from one common ancestor and populations of organisms all interact with each other.…

    • 1049 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Arctic Circle Report

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages

    A theory is a well-tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain scientific observations.…

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Abelard and Heloise

    • 2867 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Many observations lead to scientific law – a statement of the relationship between different parts of nature. Ex: law of conservation of mass- “ matter is neither created or destroyed” aka “the number and kind of atoms before a chemical reaction must be the same as after a reaction”. A theory describes a broader explanation of nature. Over time theories and laws are changed.…

    • 2867 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    * Theory: (n.) A set of statements or principles to explain a group of facts, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions.…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    A scientific theory is broader in scope and explains more events that a law. After hypotheses and laws have been tested many times, with accurate results, they become theories.…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    As Watson stated in "The Value of Theories", a scientific theory is a systematic explanation that unifies various observed phenomena and facts. Based on observations we make, science operates under theories which are constantly revised and checked by experiment. A scientific theory also possesses many vital qualities for true understanding.…

    • 643 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Awakening - Movie

    • 450 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Throughout the movie The Awakening, Robin Williams demonstrates his knowledge of the scientific method. The scientific method is a procedure of steps that is used to prove problems. In the movie it is used to show that patients suffering from an un-named disorder do have a slight opportunity to return to their normal state of being. The scientific method is a list of steps to prove something and make into a law or theory based on your final product and findings.…

    • 450 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Summary Communication Theory

    • 13076 Words
    • 53 Pages

    A theory is a set of systematic informed hunches about the way things work. A good theory goes beyond accepted wisdom and offers explanations and speculations about phenomena. Additionally, a good theory consists of a system of concepts which means that the theorist were able to make connections among his ideas. A theory tends to shape our perception of reality and behaviour and guides us through unknown areas.…

    • 13076 Words
    • 53 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    How Do I Explain Behaviour.

    • 3301 Words
    • 14 Pages

    The scientific method consists of a systematic collection of knowledge or truths and inferences after continuous study and experiments. The word science comes from the Latin word scientia, which means knowledge. It has two connotations – content and process. The content is what we know, such as facts we learn in chemistry or psychology courses. Science is also a process – an activity that includes the systematic ways in which data are gathered, relationships are noted and explanations offered. There is a great difference between sociology and physics, psychology and astronomy. For this reason, the sciences are commonly divided into natural and social sciences. Natural science is the study of physical features of nature and the ways in which they interact and change. Astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography and physics are all natural science. Science makes assumptions that every event or action results form an antecedent cause. The primary objective of science is to determine what causes what.…

    • 3301 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Theory – tested and confirmed hypothesis. A well-tested and widely accepted view that explains certain observable facts.…

    • 1905 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    A scientist would initially observe and classify data. He would proceed to look for pattern in the data and formulate a hypothesis. Following this, the scientist would make a predication. The scientist would test this predictions through experiments. If the experimental results confirm the hypothesis, a scientific law has been discovered. The scientific method limits the influence of bias and prejudice in the experimenter. It provides an objective, standardized approach to conducting an experiment and, in doing…

    • 1296 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Tok Essay

    • 1689 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Man has always struggled to understand the world around him and, as a result, has relied heavily on the sciences. The sciences first became popular in the Greco-Roman era and from then have continued to develop and ultimately diverge into two separate subjects, human and natural sciences. Each of these has further diverges in which there can be up to fifty categories within each subject. However, despite the fact that there are numerous categories within the sciences, the two are able to remain related through their many convincing theories; all of which seek to explain the world around us. Theories are, by definition, an idea or assertion that is descriptive, explanatory, and/or predictive in nature (“What is it About Theories”). That being said, theories are built around prior knowledge and evidence that corresponds to what we already hold as true. Furthermore, theories are able to be falsified which can result in two issues with knowledge, past experience interference and bias.…

    • 1689 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ecology Notes

    • 3797 Words
    • 16 Pages

    * Theory- in science, a well substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world…

    • 3797 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Science and the Environmen t Definition of terms: derived from knowing in Latin is a process for producing knowledge.  branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws  From the French environner to encircle or surround  circumstances and condition that surround the organism or group of organism  the social and cultural conditions that affect and individual or community ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE The systematic study of environment and our place on it Why study environmental study? ♥ to apply this information to improve the ways we treat our world ♥ environmental science is also mission-oriented; it implies that we all have responsibilities to get involved and try to do something on the problems we created Form a hypothesis Observation ☺A logical, systematic approach to solving problems.…

    • 580 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays