Asking questions is important in science. What do you know about the cause of an event? What is a process? What will happen if things change? Curiosity comes from these questions and the burst of evidence-based answers.
Observation Comes First
Typically, a study of science begins with some observation. The researcher notices an unusual pattern or result, and asks questions about the pattern or result. Observations are used to assist scientists in identifying a problem that they can investigate with experimentation and research.
Questions Guide Research
A clearly stated question provides direction to scientific investigation. Researchers can then identify what information they require, what variables to look at and how evidence could be gained.
This is a change from ‘simple curiosity’ to ‘systematic investigation’.
The Importance of Testing Ideas
Proposals for understanding, which can be tested. Scientists may put forward ideas that they can observe or experiment with. These ideas are then followed up, refined or refuted in the light of the evidence. Testing helps to distinguish between various levels of information and assumptions and explanations and reliable information.
Asking More Questions: The Key to Solving Problems
The way to science is not a straight one. If an experiment fails, or does not produce the results that the scientists are looking for, they can consider another idea. This continuous work process allows for the development and evolution of knowledge over time.
Science is an Active Learning Process
Researchers make use of pre-existing knowledge. The march of science is not always linear with one observation. Researchers analyze past results, make comparisons between evidence, and institute new lines of research based on existing results.
