Western Science centers around mathematical and mechanistic theories. In addition, it possesses well-developed hypothetical, deductive, inductive and abductive reasoning and experimental methodological approaches to understanding phenomena.

We can briefly describe Western Science as a system of knowledge which relies on certain laws that have been established to understand phenomena in the world around us.

The process of the scientific method begins with an observation followed by a prediction or hypothesis which is then tested. Depending on the test results, the hypothesis can become a scientific theory or “truth” about the world. Scientific theories or “truths” relate to certain values and ideas and are not necessarily objective.[1], [2]

Western Science Approaches and Methodologies

The following approaches and methodologies are typically associated with Western Science:

• Observation. Observation in Western Science is connected with predictive testing;

• Experimentation. Observation is complemented by experimentation, the curiosity-seeking aspect of science;

• Research. Research is the disciplined and organized activity to discover, understand and share phenomena; and

• Measurement. Western Science relies mainly on measurement as a basis for confirmation of new knowledge. If something is not subject to measurement, it is not considered scientific.[3], [4]

In relation to uses of fire in the Saskatchewan River Delta, the inclusion of Western Science aspects of fire weather (for example, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and 24-hour precipitation) and fire behaviour (for example, fire spread rate, fuel consumption, fire intensity and fire descriptions) complements Indigenous Science and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge.

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