Science In a Social CONtext is a series of eight books based on the project SISCON-in-Schools. The books provide a new course in science and society for general studies at sixth-form level. The course has been specially designed to make scientific problems accessible to the non-scientist, as well as to explain the social aspects of science to the scientists. This book focuses on the nature of scientific explanations and on making decisions about the scientific and technological matters that affect human beings. Major areas considered include: what it is possible to be certain about; universal statements upon which arguments can be based; the invention of scientific theories (examining experiments, prediction and imagination, and controversy between rival theories); and learning theories. The unit concludes with a discussion of citizen participation in decision-making on technological issues, at central, local, and protest group levels. (JN)