Introduction
It is almost impossible to carry out our day to day activities without science. This is because science has changed our style of communication and altered our eating and dressing habits (Mangaraj, n.d.). Moreover, it has changed the way people work (Mangaraj, n.d.). Additionally, the procedure used by scientists to come up with an accurate representation of the world constitutes a scientific method (Introduction to the Scientific Method, n.d.). In a scientific method, a series of steps are used to investigate a natural occurrence. However, science is also known to have negative impacts on people’s lives. Telang (2010) states that the negative impacts of science have the same weight as the positive ones in our daily lives. Therefore, this essay not only provides an insight into how the scientific method can be applied in our daily lives but also looks at the impact of science in our lives.
Scientific Method
According to Harris (n.d.), the scientific method consists of 5 steps. These steps include making an observation, problem statement, hypothesis formulation, performing an experiment and drawing conclusions (Harris, n.d.).
There is no particular sequence in which the five steps are executed. This is because different scholars interpret the five steps differently. Nonetheless, this essay acknowledges making an observation as the first step of in a scientific method. Observations allow people to speculate about major happenings (Harris, n.d). As a result, people come up with questions that can be tested scientifically (Harris, n.d). The second step, in a scientific method, is the statement of the problem. In most cases, problem statement is executed in form of a question. This question is later answered through scientific experimentation (Introduction to the Scientific Method). Formulating a hypothesis is the third step of a scientific method. A hypothesis is used by a researcher to predict a possible answer to the question being researched on (Harris, n.d). The fourth and, perhaps, the most interesting step entail performing the actual experiment (Harris, n.d). In this case, a scientist develops and follows a certain procedure to come up with the preferred outcomes. Finally, all scientific methods should have a concise conclusion to the findings (Harris, n.d). This includes a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis (Harris, n.d).
Application of the five steps of the scientific method in day to day life
In the first scenario, I arrive home late at night and walk to the front door and unlock it. However, when I reach to turn on the light, the light fails to come on.
Just as the scientific method dictates, the first step in resolving this problem is observation. This will be evident by the darkness that meets me when I arrive at the house and its persistence when I switch on the lights. After that, a question of what could be the problem resonates within my mind. This query constitutes my problem statement. Following the problem statement, my mind constructs a hypothesis or a possible answer to my question. For instance, the light fails to come on due to a problem with the bulb. Subsequently, I, then, start checking whether other bulbs and electrical appliance are working. This checkout constitutes the actual experiment. Next is the last step, which involves making conclusions. For instance, if any of the bulb or an electrical appliance works, my hypothesis is acceptable. On the other hand, if none works, then, my hypothesis is rejected.
In the second scenario, a farmer enters one of his gardens and observes that a certain portion has vegetables with yellow leaves. Unknowingly, this farmer employs the five steps of the scientific method while trying to solve this mystery. Firstly, he observes the whole garden and finds out that vegetables in other portions are okay. Secondly, the farmer comes up with the problem statement as he tries to answer questions pertaining to what caused the yellowness. From his previous experiences, he hypothesizes that the yellowing could be as a result of nitrogen deficiency. This prompts him to apply a nitrogenous fertilizer to this portion. In doing so, he actually fulfills the fourth step (performs the experiment). However, the yellowness persists, therefore, forcing the farmer to execute the last step of the scientific method. This is by concluding that the yellowness is not as a result of nitrogen deficiency, thereby, rejecting his hypothesis.
Living With or Without Science
How science impacts my daily routine
On daily basis, I usually wake up between 5 and 7 o’clock in the morning. To make sure that this time is right, I have to look at my watch. Interestingly, a watch is made scientifically and measures time using a scientific method. Shortly, I head to gym before taking a shower. Afterwards, I take breakfast and, then, leave for either a class or the library. The gym, tooth brush and paste, and the soap are developed and designed using science.
In the class room, I either learn manually or through audio visual techniques. Additionally, when doing my assignments, I use books or the internet. Likewise, books, audio visual equipments and the internet are gifts that we have humbly accepted from science. In addition, at about one o’clock, I take my lunch while following the mid-day news. Soon after, I listen to some soothing music from my laptop before heading for the afternoon classes. The gas and electricity used to prepare my lunch and the laptop, together with the applications within it, are designed using the scientific knowledge of engineering and software design.
Depending on what time the classes end, I spend my evening in the library or the college theatre. When night falls, I usually watch a movie in my room or play computer games with my friends. Sometimes, I attend events or parties organized within the campus. Finally, I retire to my bed at around midnight daily. The football pitch, uniforms, movies and even the room I sleep in are all designed using scientific knowledge. It would, therefore, be difficult to eat, clothe, shelter or learn without science (Agrawala, 2009).
How science has enhanced my quality of life
According to Mangaraj (n.d.) science has completely changed our lives. Sincerely speaking, man’s quality of life has improved as a result of science. Scientific research has, hence, made life more exciting as it has brought more curiosity to mankind. For instance, science has increased the number of occupations and ways of spending our leisure time. This has, in turn, created more job opportunities. Consequently, people have been able to improve their living standards. Health wise, science has led to development of superior medication and nutrition methods (Mangaraj, n.d.).
The negative impacts of science
In most instances, the negative impacts of science are as profound as the positive impacts (Telang, 2010). For instance, science has led to environmental degradation through industrialization. Additionally, it has resulted induced laziness into people as machines are left to perform most tasks. Furthermore, scientific advances such as the internet have led to wide spread moral degradation. Moreover, War weapons, which are a product of science, have brought untold suffering to millions of innocent people. In summary, science has many environmental, health and technological demerits (Telang, 2010).
Possibilities of surviving without science
Nowadays, it is almost impossible to live without science. This is because science has greatly influences our day to day life. To many, science is the biggest revolution the world has ever experienced (Telang, 2010). However, before the advancement of science, our forefathers lived comfortably. In those times, things were accepted as they were. For instance, diseases, hunger and death were associated with naturally causes. From these divergent thoughts, it is, hence, difficult to determine whether we cannot survive with or without science.
How this course has impacted the way I view science
From this course, I have been able to appreciate and understand the role of science in man’s daily life. Additionally, I have been able to apply the five steps of the scientific method in solving problems within my daily life. In conclusion, it is, therefore difficult to settle on how much credit, science should be given, for shaping our daily lives (Mangaraj, n.d)
References
Agrawala, K. (2009). “Science in our daily lives”. Explain. Web.
Harris, W. (n.d.). How the scientific method works: scientific method steps. Web.
Introduction to the scientific method. Web.
Mangaraj, S. (n.d.). Essay on the value of science in everyday life. Web.
Telang, V. (2010). Negative impacts of science. Web.