Science explained

What science is—and what it is not

Science is a way of building and testing explanations about the natural world using observation, measurement, models and evidence.

EvidenceFoundations

Editorial review: August 12, 2026 · Julian E. Marston

Questions come before answers

Scientific work begins by defining a question clearly enough that evidence can bear on it.

Evidence has to connect to the claim

Measurements, observations and experiments are useful only when they actually test the explanation being considered.

Science is self-correcting, not instantly perfect

Results can be revised when better data, methods or models reveal weaknesses.

Science is not a list of trivia

The important skill is understanding how evidence supports an explanation and how confident we should be.

This page explains scientific concepts for general learning. It does not replace laboratory safety procedures, professional engineering guidance, or individualized medical advice.