Nature of Science Language Dr. Frank Jenkins Centre for Research in Youth Science Teaching and...

Nature of Science Language

Dr. Frank JenkinsCentre for Research in Youth

Science Teaching and Learning

www.CRYSTALAlberta.ca 2

Language as an Expression of Views of the Natures of Science

The language used by scientists to communicate their work reflects the nature(s) of science. It is impossible for a scientist/teacher to communicate without expressing views of the natures of science. Become aware, learn what to watch for, and then use the nature-of-science language in your classroom.


Rules for the Knowledge Game

Science is a knowledge game (not unlike a board game) and there are rules for the game. Most often students are required to play the game in school without knowing the rules. You can learn the rules by paying attention to the language used to make knowledge claims. Then you can use the rules to create and critique knowledge claims.


Language categories appeals to evidence. E.g., "Based upon the evidence gathered in

this investigation, ...." expressions about the validity and reliability of the

evidence. E.g., "The design called for the control of ....", "A new technology allowed for ....", "This procedure ....", "The skill of the technician was such that we were able to ....",

appeals to prominent scientists. E.g., "Ian Stirling found in his research that ...."

appeals to accepted literature. E.g., "A research study reported in Science indicated that ....", "Peer reviewed research in Nature suggests that ...."

expressions of (un)certainty. E.g., "This was an initial study but ....", "The sample size was small but ....",

appeals to the nature of science. E.g., "Although science requires us to be open-minded about this counter-claim, ....", "This is only a correlational study and not a cause and effect study so ....".

appeals to logical reasoning. E.g., "If ..., then ....", "If ... and ...., then ....", "Logical consistency requires that ....“.


Scientific Language 1

Expressing the authority for the claim to knowledge “Based on the Niels Bohr model of the atom … ” “According to the law of conservation of mass … ” “Using the theory created by the Berkeley group … ” “Based on the evidence obtained in this investigation …

” “In our judgement, we are confident that … ” “Our interpretation of the evidence is that … ” “The scientific community accepts the concept that … ” “Logical and consistent reasoning suggests that … ”


Scientific Language 2Expressing the degree of certainty for knowledge

claims “Anecdotal evidence suggests that … ” “Based upon the limited evidence gathered, … ” “Without full control of all variables … ” “Careful control of all known variables suggests … ” “Accepting that all knowledge is uncertain, … ” “The evidence gathered is consistent, but is it valid?” “Having a high degree of confidence in the

evidence, it is appropriate to … ” “The experiment should be replicated by other

groups but… ”


Scientific Language 3Expressions of certainty, precision and accuracy;

e.g., “The results of this survey are considered reliable 19 out

20 times within 5 %.” “The accuracy expressed as a percentage difference from

the accepted value is 7.5% ….” “The precision of the instrument used to make the

measurement needs to be improved before ….” “We are confident that the evidence gathered in this

research will hold up under scrutiny.” “The certainty as expressed in significant digits is only 2.” “There is debate about what the true value of ___ is.” “It is no coincidence and not a random result that ….”


Scientific Language 4Expressions about the validity of the design; e.g., “We started this correlational study based upon

limited but persistent anecdotal evidence.” “This is a short term study and needs….” “This is only a correlational study, not a cause and

effect study with adequate controls and a control group.”

“A large, random sample, double-blind clinical trial with a placebo has yet to be done but ….”

“The placebo effect was large but controlled for.” “This study needs to be replicated before….”


Scientific Language 5Appeals to accepted literature in Journals; e.g., “A research study in highly regarded Science ....” “Peer-reviewed research in Nature suggests ….” “A clinical trial reported in the British Medical Journal

provides evidence for the beneficial effects of ….” “A review of the research on climate change in the

International Journal of Climate Change ….” “New research in the Canadian Journal of Physics

….” “Recent classroom research on assessment published

in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching ….”



Appeals to logical reasoning; e.g., “If (procedure), and (evidence), then

(analysis)”—classic “If…and…then….” “Logical consistency requires that ….” “Inductive logic is employed to ….” “Using deductive reasoning we know

….” “This logic is consistent with ….”



Stating assumptions & restrictions; e.g., “Assuming that E = mc2 applies here ….” “By restricting the variables to ….” “The assumption being used is that ….” “The assumption that … needs to be tested.” “When applying this concept, restrict ….”



Appeals to the nature of science; e.g., “Science requires us to be open-minded to

alternative hypotheses so ….” “Creating this concept means that it must

be tested thoroughly before being used.” “A concept needs to be improved if it can

only explain but not predict so ….” “There is no theory to explain this law, yet.” “The beauty of this concept is that ….”


Language Messages You can learn a lot about the nature of

the scientific process and the nature of the scientific knowledge by focusing on the language used by the scientist/researcher.

Learn to listen for claims to knowledge based upon the appeals to evidence, authority, certainty, logical reasoning, assumptions, restrictions, and the nature of science itself.


Assignment (take your time)

Start to listen for, read and write nature of science messages; e.g.,

take scientific language notes underline nature of science messages write by justifying your knowledge claim talk like a scientist who is speaking

carefully on a topic of high uncertainty.

Nature of Science Language Dr. Frank Jenkins Centre for Research in Youth Science Teaching and...

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