Constructing Causal Understanding in Complex Systems: Epistemic Strategies Used by Ecosystem Scientists. (5th June 2019)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Constructing Causal Understanding in Complex Systems: Epistemic Strategies Used by Ecosystem Scientists. (5th June 2019)
- Main Title:
- Constructing Causal Understanding in Complex Systems: Epistemic Strategies Used by Ecosystem Scientists
- Authors:
- Kamarainen, Amy M
Grotzer, Tina A - Abstract:
- Abstract: Moving from a correlational to a causal account involves epistemological assumptions in any discipline. It presents particular challenges when phenomena involve multiple causes, time lags, feedback loops, or thresholds, as is the case in ecosystem science. Although reductionist approaches may contribute to explanatory efforts, investigation in ecosystems science requires a systems perspective. Understanding how ecosystem scientists arrive at causal accounts—and importantly, that they do—is critical to public understanding of science. Interviews with ten ecosystem scientists revealed the strategies and habits of mind that ecosystem scientists bring to examining complex systems. The scientists described challenges in conducting experiments at relevant scales and the epistemic strategies employed in response. The themes included constructing a body of evidence using multiple approaches, integrating results through statistical and process-based models, measuring and describing variability, conducting experiments in context, thinking across levels, considering the limits to generalizability, and exercising epistemic fluency. We discuss implications for K–20 education.
- Is Part Of:
- BioScience. Volume 69:Number 7(2019:Jul.)
- Journal:
- BioScience
- Issue:
- Volume 69:Number 7(2019:Jul.)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 69, Issue 7 (2019)
- Year:
- 2019
- Volume:
- 69
- Issue:
- 7
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2019-0069-0007-0000
- Page Start:
- 533
- Page End:
- 543
- Publication Date:
- 2019-06-05
- Subjects:
- nature of science -- epistemology -- public understanding of science -- ecosystem ecology -- experimentation
Life sciences -- Periodicals
Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals
Life sciences -- United States -- Periodicals
Life sciences -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals
Biology -- Periodicals
Biotechnology industries -- Periodicals
570 - Journal URLs:
- http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org ↗
http://www.aibs.org/bioscience ↗
http://www.bioone.org/bioone/?request=get-journals-list&issn=0006-3568 ↗
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/aibs/bio ↗
http://www.jstor.org/journals/00063568.html ↗
http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/ ↗
http://firstsearch.oclc.org ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1093/biosci/biz053 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0006-3568
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 2089.611400
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- 11795.xml