vetenskaps

In Swedish, vetenskaps- is the productive prefix derived from vetenskap (science) and is used to form compound terms that denote aspects of science, such as vetenskapsfilosofi (philosophy of science), vetenskapsbaserad (science-based), and vetenskapsvärld (world of science). The concept of science itself refers to the systematic pursuit of knowledge about the natural world, society, and formal structures, and the body of knowledge produced by such inquiry. It encompasses a set of methods, institutions, and norms that aim to produce reliable explanations, predictions, and understanding.

Science relies on empirical observation, testable hypotheses, critical testing, and reproducibility. Its central products are theories, models, and laws that organize and explain data and guide further investigation. Scientific claims are assessed through peer review, replication, and methodological transparency, and they are constantly revised in light of new evidence. Science is not monolithic; it spans natural sciences (such as physics, chemistry, biology), formal sciences (such as mathematics, logic), and social sciences (such as sociology, economics). It also integrates interdisciplinary fields and applied research.

In modern societies, science is organized through universities, research institutes, and funding agencies, and it communicates through scholarly journals, conferences, and education. The history of vetenskap comprises ancient inquiry, the Renaissance, and the Scientific Revolution, leading to the development of specialized disciplines and international collaboration. While highly influential, science operates within epistemic and ethical boundaries and faces ongoing discussions about methodology, interdisciplinarity, equity in research, and the application of findings to policy and technology.