The Thinker’s Guide to Scientific Thinking focuses on developing the intellectual skills inherent in the well-cultivated practice of every area of scientific research and study. It helps students and practicing scientists come to reason within the logic of science and to see the field as a cohesive whole. From astronomers to zoologists and physicists to chemists, skilled scientists use careful analysis to question data, test theories, draw logical conclusions, and propose feasible solutions. Students in science courses, and scientists themselves will find their analytical abilities enhanced by the engaging framework of inquiry set forth by Richard Paul and Linda Elder in this guide. As part of the Thinker’s Guide Library, this book advances the mission of the Foundation for Critical Thinking to promote fairminded critical societies through cultivating essential intellectual abilities and virtues across every field of study across world.

Written for the undergraduate, majors and non-majors alike taking a foundational course in science, Science & Society: Thought and Education for the 21st Century helps students become better consumers of science by showing them how to think like a scientist. Scientific principles are infused with case studies, stories, paradoxes, poetry, medical dilemmas, and misconceptions, all through a lens of skepticism. Throughout the book, provocative science examples are provided that guide students to consider facts more critically. The author exposes readers to research methods, science philosophy, critical thinking strategies, mathematics, and history, and urges them to question data and think scientifically. End-of-chapter questions link to interesting content stimulates debate and discussion in the classroom and this engaging, interdisciplinary approach to learning science leads student to real truths behind many natural phenomena. -End-of-chapter review questions creatively stimulate discussion and span all levels of Bloom's taxonomy. -The text makes science accessible to a broad range of readers and covers all of the key areas needed for a full understanding of science. -Questions stimulate debate and discussion and cover science philosophy, history, mathematics, education, research methods, and critical thinking strategies. -Provides models of reasoning and guidelines and practice activities for thinking critically. -Presents major themes common to all scientific disciplines in a clear and readable manner for undergraduates

"This textbook is intended for use in a course on scientific thought. It includes a mixture of classic readings from the great figures in science and in the philosophy of science, as well as practical essays on scientific methodology, ethics and pseudoscience. Students will be introduced to the scientific world view: its sphere and limitations. The book develops the methodology, epistemology, history and philosophy of science. It will give the student tools to reflect on the ethical implications of scientific discovery. In addition, the student will be trained in skepticism and critical thinking in order to distinguish pseudoscience from real science. The distinction between scientific and religious thought will be considered, as well as a discussion of the questions of interest to both. John Oakes received his bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of Connecticut in 1977 and his PhD in chemical physics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Oakes has been a professor of chemistry and physics at Gonzaga University, Marian College (Wisconsin) and Grossmont College. He has taught classes on the history and philosophy of science for over twenty years and directed honors programs at both Marian College and Grossmont College. He has published six books and given invited lectures on science and religion at dozens of universities and in more than fifty countries.

Scientific Thinking is a practical guide to inductive reasoning—the sort of reasoning that is commonly used in scientific activity, whether such activity is performed by a scientist, a reporter, a political pollster, or any one of us in day-to-day life. The book provides comprehensive coverage of such topics as confirmation, sampling, correlations, causality, hypotheses, and experimental methods. Martin’s writing confounds those who would think that such topics must be dry-as-dust, presenting ideas in a lively and engaging tone and incorporating amusing examples throughout. This book underlines the importance of acquiring good habits of scientific thinking, and helps to instill those habits in the reader. Stimulating questions and exercises are included in each chapter.

This is a concise, introductory book that provides an introduction to the sciences and scientific method. It is comprehensive, readable, non-technical, and challenging in its ideas. A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SCIENTIFIC METHOD requires students to use the scientific method to design experiments and assess their own results. The book is brief enough to be used as a supplementary text in a first course in any of the sciences, though comprehensive enough to be used as the primary text in a course in scientific reasoning.