The discovery of new phenomena and processes

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a) results from careful observation and experiments.

b) may be initiated by both the experimenter and the theorist.

c) is closely connected with theoretical activity.

2. Answer the following questions.

1. What is a scientific theory?

2. Why is it devised?

3. What does the scientist employ while explaining things and events?

4. What can be taken as empirical laws and why?

5. What do empirical laws express?

6. What may the scientist advance?

7. What are the differences between empirical laws and scientific theories?

8. How may a theory be characterized? And what form can it have?

9. How can progress be made in science?

10. What is the role of observation and experiment in science?

11. Who usually initiates the invention and discovery of new things: the experimenter or the theoretician? Why?

12. Why are experimentation and theorizing distinct activities?

13. Can an innovative experimenter or theoretician make progress in their own fields if they have no knowledge or information about existing theories and experimental procedures, respectively?

3. Express your agreement or disagreement. Give arguments in support of your viewpoint.

1. Each scientific theory includes a number of empirical laws.

2. Empirical laws are concerned with regularities existing in objects and events, both observed and posited.

3. A scientific theory accounts for laws in a rational way.

4. The explanation of natural phenomena and processes requires the scientist to employ careful observation and experiments.

5. Empirical laws express relations existing among objects observed.

6. Empirical laws can uncover orderliness in the behaviour of things.

7. A law can’t be tested.

8. Laws are formulated on the basis of observed relationships.

9. Theories are constructions of man’s imagination.

10. Theories are tested and accepted on the same grounds as laws.

11. It’s quite obvious that scientific progress originates in a close interplay of experiment and theory.

12. Only experimenters can initiate discoveries of new things.

13. Experimentation and theorizing can be performed by the same person.

14. Theorists must be aware of the way real objects behave.

4. Arrange the sentences in the logical order taking into account the contents of the text “Scientific theory”.

1. In comparison with empirical laws scientific theories have much greater scope.

2. The scientist may put forward a scientific theory that will give an accepted explanation of empirical laws.

3. The scientific theory is a systematic structure that includes a number of empirical laws.

4. There are some differences between scientific theories and empirical laws.

5. While explaining natural phenomena and processes the scientist should use systematic explanatory schemes and results of observations and experiments.

6. Empirical laws can be tested by careful observation of natural phenomena.

7. A theory is a postulational system from which empirical laws can be deduced.

8. Theories are the results of philosophical judgments as well as of observation.

Vocabulary work

1. (A). Choose from two columns words having the opposite meaning.

(B). Use appropriate words from the box above in suitable forms in the sentences to follow. (Sometimes more than one word is possible).

1. It was the most … method of solving the problem.

2. His warning ….

3. He … a very convincing argument.

4. I went to the laboratory … to see her.

5. They haven’t made much … in solving the problem of air pollution.

6. He had nothing to ….

7. I … it this time, but don’t let it happen again.

8. The law goes into … soon.

9. She has used … words.

2. (A). Choose synonyms.

(B). Fill in the blanks using the proper words from the box above in suitable forms.

1. These problems lie beyond my ….

2. This phenomenon is studied within the … of general relativity.

3. They … it to be expedient.

4. He studies ….

5. He was a man of little ….

6. The most amazing thing about … is its infinite variety.

7. We won’t do that on any ….

8. I … this question to your decision.

9. Before making experiments he held this substance in ….

3. (A). Match adjectives on the left with suitable nouns on the right to form collocations. Make use of the texts given above to fulfill the task. Use each word once only.

(B). Use some of the word combinations from the previous exercise to complete the sentences.

1. A … … of theory and experiment resulted in creating a new technological innovation.

2. Classical mechanics is a … … of physics.

3. In her article she pointed out the existence of interesting… … that were observed during the experiment.

4. While explaining this phenomenon we proceeded from the … … about the wave nature of the electron.

5. Theorization and experimentation are … … that are seldom performed by the same person.

6. An … … can hardly succeed in his work without any theoretical knowledge.

7. Scientific theories are aimed at explaining natural phenomena in a … ….

8. An … … expresses some relationship among a small number of observables.

4. (A). Complete the table with the missing forms.

(B). Fill in the blanks using some of the adjectives derived from the words mentioned above.

1. It was the best solution ….

2. He made a brief survey of … literature related to his research problem.

3. This phenomenon was not ….

4. A careful driver is … of the traffic rules.

5. He laid the foundation of … physics.

6. It was an utterly … display of temper.

7. Her reaction was ….

8. This is an easily … equation.

5. Fill in the blanks using the words from the box.

1. A scientific theory is a systematic structure that … a number of experimental laws.

2. Any … law can satisfy people’s curiosity revealing regularities in natural processes and phenomena.

3. Laws can be tested by careful … of things referred to by terms used in these laws.

4. Theories are … constructions of the human mind.

5. Empirical laws can be … from theories.

6. There exist some interesting … effects that can be investigated in our laboratory.

7. … such variables in this equation can result in its solution.

8. One can hardly … … without applying this theory.

9. He … a specific theory that helped to explain a number of properties of this compound.

10. It was not difficult to find the … of some mathematical problems.

6. Replace the word(s) in italics for the word(s) from the box. Use each word once only.

1. Progress in any science arises from a close interplay of experiment and theory.

2. He disregarded the role of his colleague in solving the problem.

3. The invention of new things may be started by the experimenter or the theorist.

4. Experimentation and theorizing are separate activities.

5. He is not technically competent to find the solution of this problem.

6. A special theory was devised to explain relativity.

7. Empirical laws express relationships existing among phenomena and processes observed.

8. Observational regulations are used to determine the meaning of each term in a law.

9. Theories have much greater scope as they can explain a number of empirical laws.

7. Fill in the crossword puzzle.

Down

1. Careful and exact; free from error.

2. Having, using imagination.

3. Able to reason; having the faculty of reasoning.

4. Conclusion reached by reasoning from general laws to a particular case.

5. Test or trial carried out carefully in order to study what happens and gain new knowledge.

6. To postulate.

7. (of reasoning) based on induction.

Across

8. Law or custom which guides or controls behaviour or action; decision made by an organization, etc about what must or must not be done.

9. Special mark or quality.

10. Process of judging; good sense; ability to judge.

8. Translate the following sentences.

1. Научная теория охватывает ряд эмпирических законов, рассматривающих закономерности, существующие в природе.

2. Научные теории создают для рационального объяснения природных явлений.

3. Эмпирические законы отражают постоянно существующие взаимоотношения между наблюдаемыми объектами.

4. Существуют некоторые отличия между научными теориями и эмпирическими законами.

5. Законы можно протестировать, проводя тщательные наблюдения за объектами, на которые ссылаются (упоминаются) в этих законах.

6. Теории представляют собой воображаемые построения человеческого ума.

7. Теорию можно охарактеризовать как аксиоматическую систему, посредством которой можно вывести эмпирические законы.

Follow-up activities

1. Your group-mate is a theorist/experimentalist. Interview him about the peculiarities of his research work.

2. Choose a prominent scientist – an experimentalist or a theoretician. Speak about his contribution to science.

UNIT 5

RESEARCH SUPERVISION

Pre-reading tasks

1. In your opinion, should a supervisor be a friend, a colleague, or a boss?

2. What would you prefer: to carry out your research independently or to count on your supervisor’s help in any situation?

3. The words in the column A are used in the text “Postgraduates supervision”. Guess what they mean choosing the proper definitions in the column B.

4. Match one verb and one noun to form word combinations. Use the text “Postgraduates supervision” to check whether you have performed the task correctly.

Reading

Read the text “Postgraduates supervision” and be ready to fulfill the tasks given in Comprehension check.

TEXT A

POSTGRADUATES SUPERVISION

If you are offered a place on any research degree you should find an appropriate supervisor who will be an expert in the field of your research interests. Your supervisor will help you to formulate your research proposal and give you assistance towards successful and timely completion of your studies. Many universities will offer dual supervision or a supervisory panel. In addition, students dealing with natural science and life sciences will be part of a research group. This will offer the opportunity for postgraduates to get access to wider expertise and support.

Your supervisor is usually the most important academic person-resource in your postgraduate program. He is appointed from the University’s academic staff. He is also your first point of contact for a wide range of questions, including professional development and administrative procedures.

The main activity is, of course, independent research and writing a thesis based on it. As a research student, you will work closely with your supervisor who will guide and advise you throughout your period of study. The supervisor will also guide you in writing a thesis, but you retain the prime responsibility for your own work. In addition to your independent study, you will take part in the general research life of your department, and may be involved in research seminars, colloquia and other activities with your colleagues. At the end of your period of study, you will present your thesis for examination and be given an oral examination on it.

The support of supervisors is crucial as they assist postgraduates to complete their programs of study successfully and within the permitted length of time. However, it is also important to remember that, whatever the discipline may is, a research degree is an opportunity to carry out an independent and original piece of work. Supervisors can offer advice and guidance, but they will not tell their students exactly what to read or how to design and carry out work on their theses.

Supervisor should be acquainted with procedures and regulations of writing and defending theses. Students are expected to meet with their research advisers at regular intervals so that the latter may advise and control the development of research projects. Supervisors establish a stimulating research environment, give advice on the choice of projects and planning, ensure that appropriate facilities are available, provide training in research, consult their students, continuously monitor progress and provide structured feedback. Usually supervisors remain aware of students’ situation and needs.

Comprehension check

1. Choose the best ending to the following sentences.

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