Science: A Field Of Wonder/Characteristics of Scientists and How Do Scientists Think

Characteristics of Scientists

Scientists must possess certain attitudes or ways of thinking to be successful in making scientific investigations. To think like a scientist, you need to have the following:

1. Curiosity or inquisitiveness. Scientists never stop learning. They show interest and pay particular attention to objects of events. They ask questions and seek answers.
2. Creativity. Scientists are sensitive to problems and can generate original ideas. They are able to find new and alternative answers to a problem.
3. Humility. Scientists are humble. They admit that they are not free from committing errors . They recognize that they may be better ideas and realize that there are individuals whom they may have to consult to consult to arrive at correct observations and conclusions.
4. Critical-mindedness. Scientists base suggestions and conclusions on evidence. They prefer accuracy of facts and reliability of sources of information.
5. Intellectual honesty. Scientists give a truthful report of observations. They do not withhold important information just to please others.
6. Resourcefulness. Scientists think of possible alternative solutions to problems they are working on. They find alternative materials to be used for their experiment.
7. Objectivity. Scientists do not allow their feelings and biases to influence recording of observations, interpretation of data, and formulation of conclusions.
8. Patience. Scientists spend time or days of work to finish a task and get an accurate result.
9. Careful judgement. Scientists do not easily jump to conclusions. Their judgement is based on facts and reliable information.
10. Rationality. Scientists believe that in this world, things happen for a reason. They only accept facts and statements that are supported by proofs.

How Do Scientists Think?

You can do what scientists do. Scientific thinking, also commonly called science inquiry or the scientific method, is a process for both asking and answering questions about the universe. This is used by all kinds of scientists to investigate and answer questions. The scientific method involves the following:

1. Using the senses and scientific equipment to make careful observations about the environment.
2. Asking specific questions about observations that can be answered, using the tools of science.
3. Forming hypotheses that explain what is observed.
4. Testing hypotheses through repeated experiments and other tests and through collecting and recording data.
5. Analyzing and drawing conclusions from the data
6. Asking new questions, making new observations, and forming new hypotheses based on these findings

Science inquiry depends on critical thinking skills. This involves keeping one's mind open to new ideas. Wanting to investigate rather than accepting explanations of others, exemplifies scientific thinking.

Science Inquiry Process

Below is a process that most of the scientists follow to answer questions and make new discoveries.

Make Observations -> Ask Questions -> Hypothesize -> Do an experiment -> Collect and Analyze Results -> Draw Conclusions -> Communicate the Results