1. Empirical: Science relies on observation and experimentation to gather evidence. Scientists must be able to measure and test their ideas against the real world.
2. Testable: Scientific claims must be capable of being tested and potentially falsified (proven wrong). If a hypothesis cannot be tested, it is not considered scientific.
3. Objective: Scientists strive to be impartial and avoid bias in their observations and interpretations. This involves using rigorous methods and carefully considering all possible explanations.
4. Systematic: Science follows a systematic process of inquiry, including formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions.
5. Cumulative: Science builds upon itself. New discoveries and insights often arise from previous work, and scientific knowledge evolves over time.
6. Tentative: Scientific conclusions are always provisional and subject to change as new evidence emerges. The scientific method encourages a constant process of questioning and refinement.
7. Explanatory: Science aims to provide explanations for natural phenomena. These explanations are often based on theories, which are well-supported explanations that have been repeatedly tested and confirmed.
It's important to remember that these characteristics are interconnected and work together to define the nature of science.
