Scientific Methods and Concepts

Rationale

Domain specialists try to find a model that matches the "real world" empirical data. Computer Science students have little or no experience in scientific data acquisition or in model to real world mapping It is important for computer science students to understand the "mindset" of domain specialists.

Objectives of Scientists

• Attempt to explain the real world
• Understanding
• Prediction

Method

• Create a model of the world
• Acquire data to verify or refine the model
• Use model to make predictions

Scientific Modeling Concepts

• What is a model ?
• Relationship between model and empirical data
• Approximations in model

Features of empirical data

HyperVis Table of Contents