---
title: "Scientific attitude and qualities of a scientist"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:scientific-attitude-qualities-scientist"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/scientific-attitude-qualities-scientist
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Scientific attitude and qualities of a scientist

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2071 Shrawan, 5 marks
- Video: [SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDE, meaning, Techniques of Dev.,Role of teacher](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxZJH16SYtA) — CAREER ACHIEVERS
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/scientific-attitude-qualities-scientist
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

What do you mean by scientific altitude [attitude]? Name some qualities of a scientist.

## Short answer

Scientific attitude is a habit of mind using evidence, reason, and readiness to test ideas. Key scientist qualities are curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, objectivity, patience, critical thinking, accuracy, imagination, humility, and cooperation, enabling rational problem-solving.

## Answer

Scientific attitude is the habit of mind of a scientist: looking at the world with curiosity, using evidence and reason, and being ready to test and change ideas. It is a way of thinking that can be used by anyone, not only by scientists.

#### Qualities of a scientist
1. **Curiosity.** The wish to know the reason behind things.
2. **Honesty.** Recording and reporting results truly, even when they disprove one's own ideas.
3. **Open-mindedness.** Readiness to listen to others and to accept new evidence.
4. **Objectivity.** Judging by facts without prejudice, emotion or personal interest.
5. **Patience and perseverance.** Repeating experiments, learning from failure and continuing until the problem is solved.
6. **Critical thinking.** Not accepting any claim without proof; doubting and testing.
7. **Accuracy and care.** Observing and measuring exactly.
8. **Imagination.** Forming hypotheses and new ways to solve problems.
9. **Humility and co-operation.** Recognising limits of knowledge and sharing results with others.

A person who has these qualities approaches problems rationally and tends to find truth.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is scientific attitude?
   A. Knowledge of laboratory equipment
   B. Belief in authority
   C. A degree in science
   D. A habit of mind using curiosity, evidence and reason, ready to test and change ideas
   Answer: D. It can be used by anyone, not just scientists. (Key point: Meaning)

2. What does honesty mean for a scientist?
   A. Hiding failed experiments
   B. Reporting results truly even when they disprove one's ideas
   C. Publishing only favoured results
   D. Copying results
   Answer: B. Honesty is a key quality. (Key point: Honesty)

3. What does objectivity mean?
   A. Following one's feelings
   B. Accepting claims from experts
   C. Agreeing with the majority
   D. Judging by facts without prejudice, emotion or personal interest
   Answer: D. It keeps conclusions reliable. (Key point: Objectivity)

4. What does critical thinking involve?
   A. Rejecting every idea
   B. Not accepting any claim without proof; doubting and testing
   C. Accepting claims from teachers
   D. Avoiding experiments
   Answer: B. It leads rationally to truth. (Key point: Critical thinking)

## Related in Communication English

- [The Scientific Attitude: elements for society](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ascientific-attitude-elements-society) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 3×
- [Importance of science (The Scientific Attitude)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aimportance-of-science-scientific-attitude) — Communication English, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Altitude versus attitude](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aaltitude-versus-attitude) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5
- [Organization vs management; scientific approach](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Aorg-vs-management-scientific) — Organization and Management, chapter 2