Scientific knowledge

Scientific knowledge refers to a systematic body of laws, theories, and explanations about the natural and social world that is developed through an eclectic assemblage of practices, forms of reasoning, and approaches that have evolved over time. It incorporates multiple perspectives to study complex natural and social phenomena or behaviors rather than being constrained to a single hypothetico-deductive method. Laws represent observed patterns of phenomena or behaviours, while theories provide systematic explanations of the underlying phenomena or behaviours of interest. This generalised body of knowledge is acquired using the scientific method, which employs various reasoning techniques and research practices to explain phenomena and behaviours under investigation. (ICSM CHC White Paper I: Intangible cultural heritage, diverse knowledge systems and climate change, "Research Methods for the Social Sciences," accessed March 30, 2024, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-research-methods/.)