Epistemology and the history of Science in Ecology: the initial step in the education of ecologists

Authors

  • Clarissa Machado Pinto Leite Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Juliana Costa Piovesan Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Carla Alecrim Colaço Ramos Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Tiago Jordão Porto Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Wellington Bittencourt dos Santos Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Maria Silva Cunha Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Juliana Hipólito de Sousa Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Angélica Yohana Cardozo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Jocilene Brandão Herrera Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Nei Freitas Nunes-Neto Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21713/2358-2332.2010.v7.13

Keywords:

History of Science. Philosophy of Science. Graduate Education. Ecology.

Abstract

A consistent education about the theory, history, and philosophy of science to graduate students of ecology could increase the quality of research in this field. Understanding scientific practice as an integrated process from hypothesis selection through statistical analysis is necessary but insufficient. In this paper we aim to discuss the importance of the epistemology and the history of science in training ecologists and to encourage a search for a deeper understanding of discussions in this area. To this end we bring arguments favoring the integration of epistemology and history of science in formal ecology education. We also discuss the implications of choosing different statistical approaches and of selecting an appropriate conceptual framework for ecology education. Finally, we present alternative approaches for including these issues in graduate education in ecology.

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Published

2010-12-31

How to Cite

LEITE, C. M. P.; PIOVESAN, J. C.; RAMOS, C. A. C.; PORTO, T. J.; SANTOS, W. B. dos; CUNHA, M. S.; SOUSA, J. H. de; CARDOZO, A. Y.; HERRERA, J. B.; NUNES-NETO, N. F. Epistemology and the history of Science in Ecology: the initial step in the education of ecologists. Brazilian Journal of Graduate Studies, Brasília, DF, v. 7, n. 14, 2010. DOI: 10.21713/2358-2332.2010.v7.13. Disponível em: https://rbpg.capes.gov.br/rbpg/article/view/13. Acesso em: 21 aug. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 14 (2010)

Section

Debates

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