This document discusses different types of knowledge: 1) Empirical knowledge is gained through the senses like sight, taste, touch, smell, and sometimes with instruments. Rational knowledge is based on logical truths. Intuitive knowledge is possessed without knowing where it came from. 2) Observations involve direct descriptions through senses, while interpretations build on concepts and experiences to further explain observations. 3) In experiments, scientists manipulate the independent variable and measure the dependent variable to search for cause-and-effect relationships in nature. Controlled variables are kept constant.

1. Types of Knowledge
Mrs. Kay

2. EMPIRICAL KNOWLEDGE
 Knowledge gained using the primary senses
– seeing, tasting, feeling, hearing or smelling.
Sometimes instruments are used as aids to
our senses.
 ex: the computer is black.

3. Revealed knowledge
 knowledge we accept on faith
 Ex: All living animals today are descended
from those on board Noah’s Ark.

4. Authoritative Knowledge
 knowledge we gain from experts
 Ex: lawyers, doctors, people with
credentials.

5. Rational Knowledge
 based on what are considered to be rational/
logical truths
 Ex: If x=y and y=z then x must equal z

6. Intuitive Knowledge
 knowledge possessed without knowing
where it comes from.
 Ex: a mother instinctively knows when her
baby is in need.

7. OBSERVATION
Observations are always empirical.
Qualitative observations involve simple
descriptions. Ex: color
Quantitative observations involve
amounts/numbers.
Ex: recording the temperature.

8. INTERPRETATION
 involve reasoning based on observations
 Included in the analysis section of a lab
report
 Indirect form of knowledge that builds on a
concept or an experience to further describe
or explain an observation.

9. Observation or interpretation?
 Noticing light and heat from burning
magnesium
 Observation
 The O2(g) molecules collide with magnesium
atoms and electron removal causes the ions
of magnesium and oxygen to form.
 Interpretation

10. Variables
 Scientists use an experiment to search for cause
and effect relationships in nature
 Independent (x-axis): is a factor that is manipulated
in an experiment. The experimenter controls whether
or not subjects are exposed to the independent
variable
 Dependent (y-axis): is measured to determine if the
manipulation of the independent variable had any
effect.
 Controlled: Property that is kept constant throughout
an experiment.

11.  Experiment: A certain mass of magnesium
is burned and is compared to the mass of
product formed.
 What is the…
 Responding: mass of product (we measure
how much is left)
 Controlled: composition of air, initial temp.,
amount of air available…
 Manipulated: mass of magnesium (we
decide how much is burned)

12. Scientific Law
 Statements of major concepts based on
empirical knowledge
 Ex: the law of conservation of mass. In a
phys. or chem. Change the initial mass = the
final mass
 Generalization: statements that summarize
a limited number of empirical results. More
broad.

13. Questions
 Pg. 29 #1-3 (Nelson)
 Pg. 32 #7-8
 Read pg. 43-45