1. Read the text and answer the question

“What procedures does the scientist follow in his research?”

Scientific method and methods of science

It is sometimes said that there is no such thing as the so-called “scientific method”; there are only the methods used in science. Nevertheless, it seems clear that there is often a special sequence of procedures which is involved in the establishment of the working principles of science. This sequence is as follows: (1) a problem is recognized, and as much information as possible is collected; (2) a solution (i.e. a hypothesis) is proposed and the consequences arising out of this solution are deduced; (3) these deductions are tested by experiment, and as a result the hypothesis is accepted, modified or discarded.

2. Read the text to yourself and be ready for a comprehension check-up. Pure and applied science

As students of science you are probably sometimes puzzled by the terms “pure” and “applied” science. Are these two totally different activities, having little or no interconnection? Let us begin by examining what is done by each.

Pure science is primarily concerned with the development of theories (or, as they are frequently called, models) establishing relationships between the phenomena of the universe. When they are sufficiently validated these theories (hypotheses, models) become the working laws or principles of science. In carrying out this work, the pure scientist usually disregards its application to practical affairs, confining his attention to explanations of how and why events occur.

1. Does the author give definition of both “pure” and “applied” science? b) Find the word which is used as an equivalent of “sciences”. c) When does a hypothesis become a principle of science? d) What questions is the pure scientist concerned with? e) Find the words equivalent to “how and why events occur”. f) What is usually disregarded by the pure scientist?

3. Read the text and find the answers to the following questions. Scientific innovation: it’s impact on technology

Mr. A.: The impact of scientific activity on technology is often discussed today. But one thing is not clear. What is meant here: the impact of today’s scientific activity on today’s scientific developments on technology thirty years from now?

Mr. B.: I think there is usually an interval of twenty years or so between the discovery of a new scientific principle and its impact on industry. In the case of the transistor, for example, it took about that long. Some things move a bit faster but it must be admitted that many are even slower.

For example, our computers are based on fundamental discoveries in physics that may be traced back thirty, forty, even fifty years. What will come out of contemporary science, out of the research that is being done today – we just do not know.

Mr. A.: Do you think the isolated inventor is still the usual source of innovation, or has the group inventor been put to the fore now?

Mr. B.: It seems that the lone inventor in most fields has been replaced by the group. But more often than we realize the original brilliant idea is still the product of one man’s genius. He may, however, live in a group environment and have the advantage of the scientific and technical competence and intellectual contacts that come from working with a large group of people.

Mr. A.: You are probably right. But as soon as a new idea is put forward, it requires many people’s efforts before it can be transformed into a product. And at this stage innovation becomes a group and not an individual activity, involving both a sophisticated body of information and a sophisticated technology.

a) What is often discussed to-day? b) What words are equivalent to scientific innovation? c) What is the usual interval between the discovery of a new scientific principle and its impact on industry? d) What example is given to illustrate the above statement? e) What period of time is meant by it took about that long? f) What are computers based on? g) Do we know what will come out of contemporary science? h) How far back were fundamental discoveries in physics made? I) what kinds of inventors are discussed in the text? g) What words are equivalent to the isolated inventory. k) Is the author sure that the lone inventor has been replaced by the group? Give your reason. l) What is the potential role of the lone inventor? m) When does science become a group and not an individual activity? n) What is the Russian equivalent of a sophisticated body of information.

1. всеобъемлющая информация; b) as soon as a new idea is put forward; c) The original brilliant idea is still the product of one man’s genius; d) No, he is not; he says, “it seems… “; e) the lone inventor; f) the isolated inventor and the group inventor; g) thirty, forty, even fifty years; h) we just do not know; I) on fundamental discoveries in physics; j) an interval of twenty years or so; k) scientific developments; l) the impact of scientific activity on technology; m) in the case of the transistor, for example, it took about that long; n) an interval of twenty years or so.