Climate Evidence: Science Refresher

This page is a refresher on the process of science and  how it applies to the study of climate change. The diagram below summarizes the process of science with feedback between:  

• Exploration and Discovery

• Testing Ideas with Evidence
• Community Analysis and Feedback
• Benefits and Outcomes 

Climate change is a topic that requires us to think about each of these arenas, but we'll start by focusing on Testing Ideas with Evidence. 

Text description of the above graphic that explains the process of science

Central Core of Science: Testing Ideas with Evidence 

Goal:        To build accurate explanations of the natural world.

By:            Testing ideas with evidence.

Testing Ideas:

In order to test ideas, scientists follow this general framework. 

1. 1. 1. Idea You have an idea or an explanation  (called a hypothesis or theory)
      2. Expectation/Prediction What would you expect to see if this idea were true?
      3. Observation What do you actually observe? (this is your evidence)
      4. Analysis Did your expectations match your prediction? Decide if it supported your hypothesis or not.
      5. Community Share you findings with other scientists for feedback and critique. Generate new ideas and start again!

How to Test Scientific Ideas: From Prediction to Observation

In order to test ideas, you will need to collect raw data from your observations and then compare the predictions and observations. Observation can be done in different ways, such as:

• • • Experiments 
    • Natural Experiments (also known as comparisons)
    • Computer modeling

In our study of climate change, we will often be examining data from natural experiments and computer/mathematical modeling. For example, over the course of the history of the earth, the concentrations of CO2 have varied. This is a natural experiment, which allows us to compare the temperatures at those different periods and see if there is a correlation with CO2 levels and global temperature. 

Assignment:

• • Read this page about the Tactics for Testing. 
  • Then read this page about a specific natural experiment done to test hypotheses about fossils.
  • You will have 3 attempts for this quiz. It is based on a review of your knowledge of the scientific process and these articles

• .