The advancement of breakthrough concepts in science and their implementation in society can only be achieved by starting early with the education of new generations of scientists. The concept of 'Replacement, Reduction and Refinement' (the 3Rs) in regards to animal use was first described by Russell and Burch in 1959. The 3Rs have nowadays a…

This is the technical appendix for the report, "Science and Technology: Public Attitudes, Knowledge, and Interest." It provides more information on the General Society Survey (GSS) and the other data sources used in this report. Categories in the technical appendix include: (1) Methodology Notes for General Social Survey Data; (2) Other…

Scientific method is one means by which knowledge is created. The goal of the social studies course is to teach the methodology used by these sciences in accessing the subject information along with the information they provide from social sciences. Therefore, social studies teachers should be aware of the scientific research methodology so that…

Psychology teachers have likely heard about the "replication crisis" and the "open science movement" in psychology, and they are probably aware that psychologists have proposed new standards for research practice. How should our psychology courses reflect these new standards? We describe several modern practices that have…

The research assessment framework is an unstable reality in many countries. While few would disagree that there is a need to measure and reward research excellence, there has been little investigation of how assessment mechanisms relate to knowledge itself. With a focus on the arts and humanities and writing from an Australian perspective, this…

Some studies of science education indicate that many students are alienated from the subjects by their presentation, both verbal and textual. While some have stressed the need to build on students' existing knowledge, it may also be that much scientific presentation is unnecessarily abstruse and even misrepresentative of scientific practice. (MSE)

Explains that near-death research is moving in three directions: (1) the ongoing accumulation of knowledge on the near-death experience through scientifically derived studies; (2) the examination of post-mortem survival; and (3) the clinical application of the findings of near- death research. (Author/RC)

The main differences between pragmatism and scientific realism seem to focus on the certainty of knowledge. Pragmatists contend that one can never be entirely certain of one's beliefs, whereas scientific realists argue that progress has been, and can be, made in explaining things about the world. (SLD)

Profiles a few of the affinities between pragmatists and scientific realists, and indicates a few dramatic differences dividing these schools of thought. Pragmatic research is driven by anticipated consequences. Scientific realists hope to find the truth about what the world is really like. (SLD)

To undertake rigorous research in biology and ecology, students must be able to pose testable hypotheses, design decisive studies, and analyse results using suitable statistics. Yet, few biology students excel in topics involving statistics and most attempt to evade optional courses in research methods. Over the last few years, we have developed…