Key Difference:  Science and technology are closely related to each other as both playing a vital role in our lives. To understand the differences between them, one has to understand the basic underlying concepts of science and technology on which they are based and evolved.

Science and technology are closely related to each other as both playing a vital role in our lives. To understand the differences between them, one has to understand the basic underlying concepts of science and technology on which they are based and evolved. Science refers to development of some hypotheses. Then the hypothesis is conducted under controlled experimentation, then the observations and findings are analyzed and results are drawn leading the experiment to some conclusion. On the other hand technology is related with designing and developing a solution that solves a problem and creates a product, process or environment that is implemented in real life. Technology is about using the design process as its important ingredient whereas science is based on scientific methods.

They both differ in their outcomes, purposes and processes. To excel in field of science good experimental and logical skills are required whereas for the technology a set of skills like design, construction, planning, decision making, problem solving and good interpersonal skills is required. Science emphasizes on acquiring knowledge whereas technology focuses on practical implementing the knowledge.

The term science is derived from the Latin word ‘scientia’ which means “knowledge” whereas technology has been derived from Greek word ‘technologia’ in which ‘techne’ means “craft” and ‘logia’ which means “study”. Although there seems to be a strong connection between science and technology but still they both differ in many aspects. Science leads to establishment of a hard fact after using scientific methods but technology is generated with science and engineering both.  Scientists play the most important role in conducting science related processes while technology requires involvement of both scientists and engineers to create or invent a product. Technology uses concrete materials for building the product whereas science is all about ideas, the intellectual creations of human beings. Science reasons ‘why’ and technology answers ‘how’. 

Science is about reductionism that involves isolation and then defining the distinct concepts whereas technology deals with integration of demands, theories, ideas and data.  Science searches and theorizes the causes whereas technology is for searching and theorizing new processes.  Science draws accurate conclusions from good theories and precise data and on the other hand technology takes good decision from incomplete data and approximate models. Science works on predictions that are found to be incorrect or false, or improve the theories but technology consistently try to ensure that success is achieved even if coupled with poor decisions.

However, scientific knowledge and methodologies themselves provide important inputs for the development of technological practices and outcomes. They are also useful in the establishment of explanations of why technological interventions succeeded or failed in the past.

Science can provide explanations for the why and why not which cannot be answered with technological intervention while the technological practices, knowledge and outcomes can assist science to gain a better view of its defined world.  Thus they both are of vital importance to us and have a close relationship with each other.

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