Topic 2 - Principles
Science
-
Methodical,
logical process for gaining knowledge about natural phenomena
-
Cumulative
body of knowledge produced by informed, learned scholars
-
Process
based on careful observation & hypothesis testing
-
Way for us
to explain how the natural world works
Science Depends on
Skepticism & Accuracy
-
Scientists
unbiased
-
Accuracy
-
Reproducibility
(results repeatability = replication)
Deductive Reasoning
-
Logical
reasoning from general to specific
Inductive Reasoning
-
Reasoning
from many observations to produce general rule
·
Recognize
role of insight, creativity, aesthetics, luck in research
Hypothesis
-
Testable explanation
Scientific theory
-
Explanation
supported by many tests, considered reliable by experts
Probability
-
Likeliness
of something to occur
-
Confidence
increased by result comparison with a random sample / large group
Statistics
-
Test to
calculate probability of observed result to occur by chance
-
Ecological
test usually significant if probability <5%
-
Larger
size, more confidence
Experimental design
-
Natural
experiment
o
Happened
events
-
Manipulative
experiment
o
Conditions
altered for 1 variable, others constant
-
Controlled
study
o
Compare
treatment group to control group
-
Blind
experiment
o
Treated
group unknown to researcher till data analyzed
-
Double-blind
experiment
o
Treated
group unknown to researcher & subject
Models
-
Simple
representations of phenomena
-
Eg:
physical model, model organism, math model
-
To study
complex system, predict condition effect that are too difficult to create /
control
System
-
Networks
of interdependent components and processes, with flowing material & energy
-
Central
concept in environmental science
-
Ecosystem,
climate sys, geologic sys, economic sys
Components
-
State
variables
o
Store
resources (matter / energy), have pathways to move resources between variables
o
Eg: grass,
rabbits (links in food chain)
System characteristics
-
Closed
o
Self-contained,
exchanges no matter / energy outside
-
Open
o
Exchanges
matter / energy from surroundings
-
Throughput
o
Energy /
matter flow into, through, out of system
-
Positive
feedback loop
o
Self-perpetuating,
state variable increase cause further increase
-
Negative
feedback loop
o
Suppresses
change within system, maintain stability
-
Emergent
properties
o
Characteristics
of functioning system quantitatively/qualitatively more than sum of system’s
parts
System stability
-
Equilibrium
o
Dynamic
state where system stable over time (homeostasis)
-
Disturbance
o
Periodic
destructive events (fire & flood)
-
Resilience
o
Disturbance
recover ability
-
State
Shift
o
Severe
disturbance, system x return normal, state variable change significantly
Consensus &
Conflict
-
Scientific
consensus
o
General agreement
of scholars from scientists collaborating in cumulative, self-correcting
process
-
Paradigm
shifts
o
Changes in
explanatory framework when scientists agree old explanation works no more
Environmental Science
-
Use of
scientific method to study environment processes & systems
Environmentalism
-
Working to
influence attitudes / policies affecting environment
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