How do we define a scientist? - The Science Council ~ (2024)

How do we define a scientist? - The Science Council ~ (1)

A few years ago, the Science Council put forward a definition of science. We would now like to turn our thoughts tothe person that does the science.

What are the core skills, characteristics, the clues that identify someone as a ‘scientist’? Or perhaps it is easier to explore what is a scientist not? We do know there are lots of different disciplinary scientists – mathematicians,social scientists, microbiologists – but what is it that unites these practitioners under the banner of ‘scientist’?

I studied science at university, but I’m not sure that alone qualifies me to call myself a scientist. I’d like to think that my scientific approach – albeit to managing an organisation, rather than research, development or teaching – could qualify me, or is there more to it?

We have put together a first draft definition below. I invite you to read it, reflect on it and comment, or tweet us @science_council, to let us know what you think is missing and what is extraneous. We will be sharing an updated draft with our Board next month for their input and approval.

A scientist is someone who systematically gathers and uses research and evidence, making a hypothesis and testing it, to gain and share understanding and knowledge.

A scientist can be further defined by:

  • how they go about this, for instance by use of statistics (Statisticians) or data (Data scientists)
  • what they’re seeking understanding of, for instance the elements in the universe (Chemists, Geologists etc), or the stars in the sky (Astronomers)
  • where they apply their science, for instance in the food industry (Food Scientist)

However all scientists are united by their relentless curiosity and systematic approach to assuaging it.

I look forward to your feedback.

How do we define a scientist? - The Science Council ~ (2024)

FAQs

How do we define a scientist? - The Science Council ~? ›

A scientist is someone who systematically gathers and uses research and evidence, to make hypotheses and test them, to gain and share understanding and knowledge.

What is science according to science council? ›

Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence. Scientific methodology includes the following: Objective observation: Measurement and data (possibly although not necessarily using mathematics as a tool) Evidence.

What is the definition of science by some scientist? ›

"Science is simply common sense at its best that is, rigidly accurate in observation, and merciless to fallacy in logic." - Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895), English biologist. "Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another." - Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), English philosopher, author.

How do you define yourself as a scientist? ›

A scientist is a person who has expertise or performs research in a specific field of science. In order to understand what a scientist is, it is important to define science. Science is the practice of studying and attempting to understand the world and how it works, through observations and experiments.

How to identify a scientist? ›

What makes a good scientist?
  1. Curious. Scientists are curious about their world. ...
  2. Patient. Scientists are patient as they repeat experiments multiple times to verify results.
  3. Courageous. ...
  4. Detail-oriented. ...
  5. Creative. ...
  6. Persistent. ...
  7. Communicative. ...
  8. Open-minded and free of bias.
Feb 1, 2017

What is science simple definition simple answer? ›

Science is the systematic effort by human beings to control nature through experiments and observation for their own use. or. Science is the systematic ongoing effort by human beings to study understand and utilise nature for meaningful purposes.

What is a scientist definition for kids? ›

Scientists are people who discover new things and research how things work. There are many different types of scientists. They observe, measure, and communicate results to people like you and me.

What are the 5 definitions of science? ›

Science is defined as the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.

What is science in 50 words? ›

A system of knowledge about the physical, chemical, and biological universe and the things that occur in it is called science. It is an objective observation that explains the basic rules of nature. Another approach to defining science is as the information gained through practice.

Which of the following best define science? ›

It is an organized system of knowledge that is based on inquiry born out of natural curiosity, logical reasoning, and experimentation. It is this organized knowledge with an inquiry, logical reasoning, and experimentation as its central themes, that we call science.

Can scientists define life? ›

Although the scientists, technicians, and others who participate in studies of life easily distinguish living matter from inert or dead matter, none can give a completely inclusive, concise definition of life itself.

Why is a scientist important? ›

They play an important role in educating nonscientists about the content and processes of science. In fulfilling these responsibilities scientists must take the time to relate scientific knowledge to society in such a way that members of the public can make an informed decision about the relevance of research.

What makes a great scientist? ›

Great scientists are those who constantly try to find the simplest and most efficient solution. For example, I have seen good scientists get excited about novel techniques and try to retro-fit those to problems, rather than working backwards from the problem and trying to identify the best solution (given constraints).

Which scientist makes the most money? ›

Top 10 Highest Paying Science Jobs 2024 (Inc Salaries)
  1. Physicist and Astronomer. ...
  2. Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist. ...
  3. Data Scientist. ...
  4. Pharmacist. ...
  5. Research Scientist. ...
  6. Medical Scientist. ...
  7. Geneticist. ...
  8. Biomedical Engineer.

How would a scientist classify? ›

Scientists use classification systems to organize organisms into groups that are similar to each other. The classification system is mainly based on physical similarities and characteristics but also on evolutionary relationships of species. For example, horses and rhinos are distantly related to one another.

Who was the 100 greatest scientist of all time? ›

Isaac Newton -- Albert Einstein -- Neils Bohr -- Charles Darwin -- Louis Pasteur -- Sigmund Freud -- Galileo Galilei -- Antoine Laurent Lavoisier -- Johannes Kepler -- Nicolaus Copernicus -- Michael Faraday -- James Clerk Maxwell -- Claude Bernard -- Franz Boas -- Werner Heisenberg -- Linus Pauling -- Rudolf Virchow -- ...

What does science stand for? ›

Systematic, comprehensive, investigation and exploration of natural, causes and effect is the full form of Science. Suggest Corrections.

What are the 4 definitions of science? ›

Science is defined as the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.

What is considered the sciences? ›

Modern science is typically divided into three major branches: the natural sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, and biology), which study the physical world; the social sciences (e.g., economics, psychology, and sociology), which study individuals and societies; and the formal sciences (e.g., logic, mathematics, and ...

What is science defined by Quizlet? ›

Science is an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world. It also refers to the body of knowledge itself. Features that specify science include only dealing with the natural world, collecting and analyzing data, and explanations based on evidence, not belief. Goals of Science.

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