Biology is changing and becoming more quantitative. Research is creating new challenges that need to be addressed in education as well. New educational initiatives focus on combining laboratory procedures with mathematical skills, yet it seems that most curricula center on a single relationship between scientific knowledge and scientific method: that of the validity of knowledge claims, judged in terms of their consistency with data. Collecting data and obtaining results (however quantitative) are commonly part of science, but are not science itself. We envision that the operative use of the complete scientific method will play a critical role in providing the necessary underpinning for the integration of math and biology at various professional levels.

The use and application of modeling and simulation (M&S) is pervasive in today's world. A key component in the application of models is to conduct appropriate verification and validation (V&V). V&V is conducted to make sure the model represents reality to the appropriate level of detail based on the questions posed. V&V techniques are well documented within the literature for observable systems, i.e. required data can be collected from the operations of the real system for comparison with the simulation results; however, V&V techniques for non-observable systems are limited to subjective validation. This subjective validation can be applied to the simulation outputs, operational validation, or towards the model development, conceptual validation. Oftentimes subjective operational validation of the simulation is the primary source of validation efforts. It is shown in this thesis that the sole reliance on subjective operational validation of the simulation can easily lead to the inaccurate acceptance of a model. In order to improve M&S practices for the representation of non-observable systems, models must be developed in a methodological manner that provides a traceable and defensible argument behind the model’s representation of reality. Though there is growing discussion within the recent literature, few methods exist on proper conceptual model development and validation. The research objective of this thesis is to identify a methodology to develop a model in a traceable and defensible manner for a system or system of systems that is non-observable. To address this research objective the proposal will address eight aspects of model development. The first is to define a set of terms that are common vernacular in the field of M&S. This is followed by the assessment of what defines a ‘good’ model and how to determine if the model is ‘good’ or not. This leads to a review of V&V and the observation that subjective validation in isolation is not sufficient for model validation. Next, a review of model development procedures is conducted and analyzed against a set of criteria. A selection is made using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). A procedure developed by Balci in 1986 is selected for the use in development of models for non-observable systems. Specific steps within Balci's 1986 procedure are investigated further to determine appropriate techniques that should be used when developing models of non-observable systems. These steps are system and objective definition, conceptual model, communicative model, and experimental models and results. Five techniques are identified in the literature that can be applied to system and objective definition: Soft Systems Methodology, Requirements Engineering, Unified Modeling Language, Systems Modeling Language, and Department of Defense Architecture Framework. These techniques are reviewed and selection is made using AHP. The System Modeling Language (SysML) is selected as the best technique to perform System an Objective Definition. Significant resources are devoted to the study of conceptual model development. Proposed in this thesis is a process to decompose the impacts of the system and apply subjective weightings in order to identify aspects of the system with significant importance. This approach enables the modeling of the system in question to the appropriate level of fidelity based on the identified importance of the system impacts. Additionally, this process provides traceability and defensibility of the final model form. Communicative model development is rarely addressed in the literature; however, many of the techniques used in system and objective definition can be applied to developing a communicative model. A similar study to the system and objective definition, AHP was utilized to make a selection. It was concluded that the Unified Modeling Language provides the best tool for creating a communicative model. In the final step, experimental models and results, the literature was found to be rich in techniques. A gap was found in the analysis of the outputs of stochastic simulations. Four questions resulted: 'which stochastic measures should be used in analyzing a stochastic simulation?', 'how many replications are required for an accurate estimation of the stochastic measure?', which least squares method should be used in the regression of a stochastic response?, and 'how many replications are required for an accurate regression of a stochastic measure? Heuristics are presented for each of these questions. A proof of concept is provided on the methodology developed within this thesis. The selected scenario is a Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief Mission, where the U.S. Navy has been tasked with distributing aid in an effective manner to the affected population. Upon application of the proposed methodology, it was observed that subjective decomposition and weighting of the scenario proved to be a useful tool for guiding and justifying the form of the eventual model. Shortcomings of the methodology were identified. The primary shortcomings identified were the linking of information between the steps of the model development procedure, and the difficulty in correctly identifying the structure of the system impacts decomposition. The primary contribution of this thesis is to the field of M&S. Contributions are made to the practice of conceptual model development, a growing discussion within the literature over the past several years. The contribution to conceptual model development will aid in the development models for non-observable systems. Additional contributions are made to the analysis of stochastic simulations. The methodology presented in this thesis will provide a new and robust method to develop and validate models in a traceable and defensible manner.

The problem of this study was to investigate the extent to which businesses use the scientific method in the organization and preparation of written business reports. Data for this study were collected by the use of a questionnaire which was devised, validated, and pilot testes. Questionnaires were mailed to 50 systematically, selected members (200 total) of each of the four major group categories (banking and finance, government and education, manufacturing and utilities, and sales and services) from Region V's 1985-1986 Association of Records Managers and Administrators membership roster. One hundred six responses were received, representing a 53 per cent return. Additional information was obtained from sample records and telephone interviews.

Resumo: Os tópicos em Mecânica Quântica, ou Física/Química moderna apresentam complexa estrutura conceitual e filosófica. Há que se coordenar imagens contraditórias alpem de se admitir um caráter não determinístico, uma natureza enérgica descontínuo, elementos de probablidade além de postulados. O cenário educacional dos documentos oficiais tais tópicos reflete uma dicotonomia encontrada nas epistemologias das ciências Física e Química. Um olhar sobre a história do Método Científico ainda coloca a Mecânica Quântica como o cerne do fim de uma tradição determinista e o início do que Bachelard denominará de Novo Espírito Científico. Tal Espírito admite pressupostos metafisicos que são encontrados também nos trabalhos de Werner Heinsenberg. O presente trabalho busca então os elementos deste Novo Espírito entre outros elementos da epistemologia de Gaston Bechelard no ideário de licenciados de Física e Química. Como apoio para tal busca torna-se a fenomenologia como metodologia de análise de dados. Esta busca se dá num contexto especialmente construído para tal no que se denomina "atividade pedagógica do não". O presente trabalho constata que tais categorias encontram-se no discurso de licenciandos, todavia, a dialética admitida por Bachelard não é encontrada. Frente a problemas epistêmicos, verifica-se ainda a contradição filosófica, em que a ontologia ora é admitida, ora negada, ocorrendo o mesmo com a epistemologia. O ideário ainda admite múltiplas concepções para um mesmo conceito e obstáculos epistemológicos, assim como conta uma matemática intrincada dentro do processo científico defendido por Bachelard, o que se verifica é uma matemática instrumental fazendo parte de um ferramental que se constitui assim a Mecânica Quântica / Abstract: Quantum Mechanics topics, or Modern Physics / Chemistry topics presents complex philosophical and conceptual framework. It is necessary to coordinate conflictiong images in addition to admiting a non-deterministic character, a discontinuous energetic nature, elements of probability besides postulates. The educational setting of these official documents reflects an epistemological dechotomy that was found in the physics and chemistry sciences. A view of the history of Scientific Method still puts Quantun Mechanics as main reason of the deterministic tradition ending and as the same time the beginning of what is named bu Bachelard as New Scientific Spirit. This Spirit admits methaphysical assumptions that are also found in Werner Heisenberg's work looks for elements of quoted New Spirit among other elements of Gaston Bacherlard's epistemology concerning the ideals of non-graduated Physics and Chemistry students. As support for this research, phenomenology was taken as methodology of data analysis. This research happens into a context particularly made for what is called "pedagogical activity of denial." This current work shows that the referred categories always make part of non-graduated students discourse, and the dialectic admitted by Bachelard doesn't. In front of epistemic issues, there is a philosophical contradiction, where the ontology is admitted and also danied, what exactly happens to epistemology. The mindset still accepts multiple conceptions for the same idea and epistemological obstacles, such as an intricate mathematics in the scientific process supported by Bachelard. As result it is possible to find out an instrumental math making part of tools of what Quantun mechanics is constituted / Orientador: Silvia Regina Q. Aro Zuliani / Coorientador: Marcelo Carbone Carneiro / Banca: Iramaia Jorge Cabral de Paulo / Banca: Eduardo Adolfo Terrazzan / Mestre

This study attempts to examine evolutionary theory and creationism objectively without engaging in an apology for or a criticism of either. It compares the presuppositions and assumptions of both systems, and examines the role of faith in religion and in the scientific theory of evolution. After discussing the nature of the scientific method and the development of the theory of evolution, the study explores the dichotomy of faith and reason, the ways in which these operate in theories of intelligent design and theistic evolution, and the question of whether scientific evolutionary theory can be considered to be a secular religion. The thesis argues that acceptance of the scientific theory of evolution is as dependent upon a faith commitment as is adherence to religion, though the type and quality of the two respective faith systems are very different and, therefore, worthy of comparison and contrast. The study concludes that, while science and evolutionary theory share many of the same features and characteristics of faith and presumption, it is presently not appropriate to claim that evolutionary theory is a secular religion, and that when this opinion is asserted it is worthwhile to analyze the motivation, conscious and unconscious, involved. / Thesis (PhD (Dogmatics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in association with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2013.

This study attempts to examine evolutionary theory and creationism objectively without engaging in an apology for or a criticism of either. It compares the presuppositions and assumptions of both systems, and examines the role of faith in religion and in the scientific theory of evolution. After discussing the nature of the scientific method and the development of the theory of evolution, the study explores the dichotomy of faith and reason, the ways in which these operate in theories of intelligent design and theistic evolution, and the question of whether scientific evolutionary theory can be considered to be a secular religion. The thesis argues that acceptance of the scientific theory of evolution is as dependent upon a faith commitment as is adherence to religion, though the type and quality of the two respective faith systems are very different and, therefore, worthy of comparison and contrast. The study concludes that, while science and evolutionary theory share many of the same features and characteristics of faith and presumption, it is presently not appropriate to claim that evolutionary theory is a secular religion, and that when this opinion is asserted it is worthwhile to analyze the motivation, conscious and unconscious, involved. / Thesis (PhD (Dogmatics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in association with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2013.

Submitted by Andrea Hayashi (deachan@gmail.com) on 2016-06-22T14:03:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao-mohamad-nagashima-de-oliveira.pdf: 2215743 bytes, checksum: 112ebd6cf914950bfdf80ed3727aa750 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Andrea Hayashi (deachan@gmail.com) on 2016-06-22T14:03:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao-mohamad-nagashima-de-oliveira.pdf: 2215743 bytes, checksum: 112ebd6cf914950bfdf80ed3727aa750 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-22T14:03:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao-mohamad-nagashima-de-oliveira.pdf: 2215743 bytes, checksum: 112ebd6cf914950bfdf80ed3727aa750 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-15 / A presente dissertação versa sobre como podemos identificar os Principia, escrito por Newton na sua versão final em 1726, como uma obra estritamente matemática e como podemos identificar a Óptica, 1703, como um livro que parte de experimentos para que fosse formulado. Para tanto apresento primeiramente uma contextualização de época de Newton, para que se apresente as preocupações de Newton na divulgação de suas teorias e então uma leitura estruturada dos Principia que visa explicar como ele é um livro matematicamente estruturado. Após isso apresento a leitura de algumas questões da Óptica visando apresentar como que os experimentos ajudam a compor o livro. Ao final, apresento uma conclusão dividida em três partes, a primeira uma conclusão sobre o método científico de Newton, a segunda uma conclusão que visa dar os últimos argumentos para uma leitura puramente matemática dos Principia e uma terceira que trata por fim sobre os experimentos com a Óptica. / This text is about how We can identify the Principia, writed by Newton in your final version in 1726, as a book strictly math and how We can identify the Optics, 1703, as a book which start from experiments to build on. To do it I show firstly a contextualization of Newton’s time, to show the concerns of Newton about the disclosure of his theories and then a structural read of the Principia to explain how it is mathematically structured. After it, I show a read of few questions from Optics to show how the experiments help to compose the book. In the end, I show a conclusion divided in three parts, the first is a conclusion about scientific method, and the second is to give final arguments to a read of pure math of Principia and, at least, the third that show last arguments to experiments in Optics.

Submitted by Jordan (jordanbiblio@gmail.com) on 2017-04-24T16:14:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Leodenil Alves Duarte.pdf: 1675829 bytes, checksum: 741083c7d0f71a489531bcd6ff02c4a3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jordan (jordanbiblio@gmail.com) on 2017-04-27T14:05:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Leodenil Alves Duarte.pdf: 1675829 bytes, checksum: 741083c7d0f71a489531bcd6ff02c4a3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-27T14:05:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Leodenil Alves Duarte.pdf: 1675829 bytes, checksum: 741083c7d0f71a489531bcd6ff02c4a3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-13 / O presente estudo teve como propósito analisar a atuação e participação dos estudantes, de uma turma de 7º ano do ensino fundamental, numa escola municipal em Cuiabá/MT, na construção do conhecimento científico e sua interação com as metodologias aplicadas no ensino da botânica em Ciências Naturais, propondo um roteiro para a elaboração de uma aula significativa, utilizando ferramenta pedagógica. As duas técnicas sugeridas: do decalque e a impressão de folhas, vista ao microscópio, configuram um forte instrumento didático para o ensino da botânica no ensino fundamental, pois auxilia no reconhecimento da riqueza da flora de um determinado local ou região, caracterizando-se como uma valiosa estratégia no desenvolvimento de conceitos da botânica a partir da manipulação de plantas e de suas estruturas, de forma a tornar o aprendizado mais envolvente e instigante e ainda constrói junto aos estudantes etapas do método científico. O produto educacional "no mundo das folhas" trouxe em seu roteiro os objetivos, os conteúdos abordados, os materiais necessários e a estrutura da aula dividida em 05 passos, que vão desde a coleta de material botânico a experimentação. Como estratégia metodológica aborda-se a morfologia e a anatomia vegetal. Outros conteúdos que são inerentes às técnicas utilizadas são a ecologia, a fisiologia e a citologia vegetal. Este produto pode ser realizado em laboratório ou em outro espaço do ambiente escolar tornando uma alternativa dinâmica e surpreendente que proporciona uma maior interação entre estudantes e professores, despertando o interesse através da relação da riqueza biológica, vivenciada no cotidiano, com o conhecimento científico. / This study aimed to analyze the autonomous performance and participation of the students in a class of 7th grade elementary school in a municipal school of Cuiabá-MT into their construction of scientific knowledge and their interaction with the methodologies applied to teaching of Botany in Natural Sciences, proposing a way for a elaboration of a significant lesson, using a pedagogical teaching tool. The two suggested techniques: decal and leaf epidermal print, both seen into the microscope, indicates a stronger educational tool for teaching botany in elementary school, because it can help to recognize the flora biodiversity of a specific place or region, characterized as a valuable strategy in botany concepts, besides plant manipulations and their structures, engaging and exciting the learning and building the students to the scientific method. The educational product called "world of leaves" brought objectives, the contents, the materials and the structure of the class divided into 5 steps, ranging from botanical collection to the experimentation. As methodological strategy it was possible to work plant morphology and anatomy. Other contents that are inherent to those techniques used are ecology and plant physiology and cytology. This product can be performed in the laboratory or in another area of the school ambience, becoming a dynamic and surprising alternative that provides greater interaction between students and teachers, arousing interest to the relation of biological diversity, experienced day by day, along with the scientific knowledge.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-11-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:20:49Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000729376.pdf: 4108874 bytes, checksum: c8453d78141d9ffdc11471240ed05190 (MD5) / Em virtude da importância das revisões sistemáticas (RSs) como fonte de evidências para a prática na área da saúde, esse tipo de estudo tornou-se cada vez mais frequente. Além disso, requerem pouco recurso financeiro e podem ser realizados em um período menor de tempo quando comparado aos ensaios clínicos. Pesquisadores têm usado esse estudo como uma ferramenta para compilar e avaliar informação útil na tomada de decisões clínicas. Desta forma, facilitar o caminho destas pesquisas para a publicação é essencial uma vez que, um dos meios mais efetivos para a disseminação dos resultados de pesquisas científicas é a apresentação dos mesmos em revistas científicas de alto impacto. Verificar a proporção de revistas científicas da área de Medicina que publicam revisões sistemáticas, bem como, correlacionar seus respectivos fatores de impacto e, identificar se estas revistas solicitam diretrizes específicas para o relato dos achados das revisões sistemáticas. Para cada revista foi averiguado, na seção instruções para autores, a menção do aceite de revisões sistemáticas e exigência das diretrizes específicas de relato das RSs. Quando não havia menção sobre o aceite nesta seção, foi consultado o conteúdo dos periódicos. Foram incluídas 625 revistas científicas de 25 subespecialidades médicas disponíveis no Portal de Periódicos da Capes, classificadas nas áreas Medicina I, II e III do avaliador bibliométrico Qualis que inclui o fator de impacto do ISI. Entre as revistas científicas analisadas, 437 (69,90%) publicam artigos de revisão sistemática, sendo que apenas 135 (21,60%) mencionam o aceite nas instruções de autores e 118 (27%) exigem a submissão das diretrizes específicas de relato das RSs. 302 (48,30%) revistas científicas, não mencionam o aceite de RSs na seção instruções de autores, porém publicam RSs. 30,10% (188 revistas) não publicam... / Due to the importance of systematic reviews as a source of solutions for medical practice, this kind of study has been increasingly more frequent. Furthermore require little financial resources and can be performed in a shorter time compared to the experimental studies. Researchers have used this methodology as a tool to compile and evaluate information useful in making clinical decisions. To determine the proportion and the average impact factor of scientific journals in the field of medicine that publish systematic reviews and require that these works are in accordance with the PRISMA, MOOSE or STARD. We included all 625 scientific journals from 25 medical subspecialties available in Journals Portal Capes, classified areas Medicine I, II and III of Qualis bibliometric evaluator which includes the ISI impact factor. For each issue was examined the systematic review acceptance in the instructions for authors and requirement of target cheklists. When there was no mention of the acceptance, was consulted the content of the scientific journals to know which publish although not mention in instructions for authors. 437 (69,90%) scientific journals published systematic reviews; 135 (21,60%) with acceptance mention in the instructions for authors and 118 (27%) require submission of specific guidelines for reporting of RSs. 302 (48,30%) scientific journal do not mention in the instructions for authors, but publishing and 30,10% (188 journals) do not publish this kind of paper. Only 27% scientific journals require items to be reported in accordance with the specific forms for reporting RSs. The results show the wide acceptance of RSs in the analyzed journals. There is a tendency toward uniformity of editorial policy about publication of RSs and the impact of these scientific journals in the scientific environment. The low-requirement cheklists indicates that editors are not using these tools for evaluating and ...

The science of behavior analysis relies heavily on direct observation. Human observers are typically used to measure behavior in applied settings. Although the use of human observers is beneficial in many regards, it also presents challenges. Of primary concern is the extent to which the data generated by observers actually corresponds to the behavioral events of interest, and the implications this may have in terms of replication. This study assessed the effects that labels, definitions, and examples and non-examples of two different modalities had on observer accuracy, consistency, and agreement. Results showed that current practices in observer training may require refinement to ensure high observer accuracy, consistency, and agreement. Suggestions for how to improve the desired stimulus control of observers are provided.