Natural Sciences

In the DFG subject classification system, the natural sciences include physics, chemistry, mathematics and the geosciences. These disciplines have clear overlaps with other scientific fields such as biology and medicine, agricultural and nutritional sciences and technology/engineering sciences. In addition, there are points of contact with the humanities and social sciences, such as psychology and philosophy. In this context, natural science working methods are repeatedly a key form of mediation between these very different scientific disciplines, especially in terms of methodology.

A common feature of physics, chemistry, mathematics and geosciences is the goal of gaining profound and sustainable knowledge and understanding by means of scientific methods and questions. The natural sciences are needed to reveal regularities, and they can contribute significantly to a fundamental understanding and improved predictions of natural phenomena. Despite commonalities, however, the methodological approaches of the four subjects differ significantly in some cases. While mathematics arrives at new insights through the art of abstraction, chemistry, the geosciences and physics acquire their knowledge with strong reference to empiricism – often starting from a hypothesis based on observations, experiments and repeated verification of (natural) phenomena on all scales.

Mathematical truths hold independently of experiments. In addition, mathematics is often used in science to model phenomena, such as the quantitative and qualitative description of processes in nature. In the empirically based natural sciences, subjects sometimes differ in terms of methodological approach. Some experiments and observations require large research infrastructures that are operated on a long-term basis and in some cases in mobile form. Examples include telescopes and particle accelerators as well as research vessels or other platforms. In addition to the large research infrastructures, there is also an enormous variety of different laboratory experiments, each with its own specific set-up. Computer simulations constitute another methodological approach. In summary, observation, experiment, theory and simulation are the central working processes in the natural sciences. In addition to knowledge-driven basic research, such as gaining a better understanding of climate processes, the natural sciences also deal with concrete current fields of application, such as the conversion, extraction and saving of energy and raw materials.

Since research integrity is the foundation of trustworthy science, it is important to establish subject-specific and contemporary working methods in the natural sciences that strengthen and promote society’s indispensable trust in this field of science. Specifically, the verification of evidence and the reproducibility of the methods used and results obtained by independent third parties are an essential feature of quality assurance in the natural sciences. This reliability is crucial in order to gain the trust of society and policymakers in this field of science, which should not be underestimated. An important task of scientists is the design of suitable experimental set-ups and the reliable acquisition of data, as well as the interpretation of this data and transparent argumentation to support it as evidence. In addition to the documentation of methods, there should also be widespread storage of research results, providing unlimited and unrestricted access as far as possible for other experts and to some extent also the general public. The digital saving of raw data is an obvious aspect here, as well as the archiving of such items as biological samples, drill cores or chemical substances. In this context, clear, international rules already exist as to how these data and samples can be used by third parties. This concerns firstly intellectual property (IP), also with regard to commercial exploitation, and secondly undesirable use (dual use) for the development of weapons. Similarly, international interests and agreements must be taken into account and implemented correctly (e.g. the Nagoya Protocol, etc.).