出版社：Association of College and University Biology Educators
摘要：This project brings the historical and philosophical study of science into the lab. We explore the possibility of studying scientific methods and objects of investigation using philosophical and historical analysis rather than framed in their usual research in terms of hypothesis testing, data collection and scientific analyses. Focusing on the classification of the water flea, we began by studying the descriptive writings and illustrations based on the use of the compound microscopic studies of the early naturalists, Jan Swammerdam and Jacob Christian Schäffer. We then applied these now-discarded classification schemas, techniques, and methods to the study of and classification of samples of locally collected microplankton from our universitys ponds. Next, we used current classificatory methods of investigation to key-out these specimens. We then considered the different methodologies of observation and classification and discussed the suitability of these practices for classifying highly phenotypically plastic and strongly endemic clonal species. Lastly, we used these investigations to revisit perennial problems surrounding the understanding of the concept and category of species and the possible impact our investigations of the early study of the water flea may have on these.
关键词：philosophy of science in practice;species problem;Daphnia;Jan Swammerdam;Hasok Chang;complementary science;undergraduate research
