"Theoretically they should be developed parallel, however, in some fields, like Mathematics, sometimes the theory is developed before the applications" (Abedallah Rababah ) and "Professional science skills and technical skills must go side by side " (Nitish Ranjan ): I agree.

Actually , we very often push hard to develop a theory with the aim to predict experiments and their results. Very often the Theory is developed after! experimental results need sound explanations.

Dear @Sylantyev, Theoretically they should be developed parallel, however, in some fields, like Mathematics, sometimes the theory is developed before the applications; it even happens that the theory is developed regardless of the need for it. Thereafter, scientists search for applications to this theory.

Yes I agree with Ahed and Abedallah. Both the skills shou be fostered in parallel.

Dear Sergiy,

Practical applications need facilities. I think many of us cannot apply new technology or technical skills because of short of material opportunities. However, we may still reflect...

Sylantyev,

IMHO this is one of the most underdeveloped areas of science. Just as with interdisciplinary study there is not enough work done outside the exact field that one is studying. There would be many more advances in science if all fields worked together more than they do today.

I deal with this in my chemical research almost daily. I have to hunt for and try to find research that has been done already to try to not have to repeat the same things over and over again.

I see this as the same problem that you ask in this question. A great example of this was when Albert Einstein was searching for the math to explain General Relativity. He came across the math developed by Riemann and Ricci of curved surfaces and spaces. When it was developed there was thought to be no practical application and was not readily available to the population. If his best friend, Marcel Grossmann had not been a pH D in math and worked in this geometry of curved spaces for his thesis there may never have been a General theory of Relativity.

I think what I am trying to point out here is that we should not have to leave it to chance that we find the tools we need to do research in one field that will always have implications in others.

The problem is always finding the implications for others and making it available.

I am fully agree with you András

Materials science, engineering and other area of research have become knowledge intensive. Scientists and engineers have entered the knowledge-based economy.The work- environment has also changed, with the result that scientists and engineers are expected to have a wider range of skills. , Modern quality management systems demand that qualified people are in place to make decisions in an organisation..

Professional science skills and technical skills must go side by side according to me.

Regards,

Nitish

"Theoretically they should be developed parallel, however, in some fields, like Mathematics, sometimes the theory is developed before the applications" (Abedallah Rababah ) and "Professional science skills and technical skills must go side by side " (Nitish Ranjan ): I agree.

Actually , we very often push hard to develop a theory with the aim to predict experiments and their results. Very often the Theory is developed after! experimental results need sound explanations.

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There is something that most perhaps does not realize what happens to us, lowly mortals with greatest thinkers and sages. We all assembled in our minds mental models and experiences about ordinary or extraordinary events. When the complexity of the problem and the variables increase and certainly need the experience.

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Due to this I think the division between theory and practice does not exist.

Great mathematicians do not perform practical experience when it is not possible or when it is not needed, but mental experiences are always made, and the greater the geniality the greater the ability to "see" the abstractions that they deal.

I think the distinction between practice and theory is typical of social arrangements (or minds) that there is a certain disdain for manual labor.

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Hero of Alexandria (Heron) with his aeolipile had not the courage to develop his invention to practical applications, for do technology work in a slave society was almost heresy.

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See all Greece gave us great philosophers, but these for neglecting the practice fell into major scientific errors exactly for working with mental models far beyond the capacity of human beings.

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I think that we can work only in a theoretical frame, but it is not a complete task if we cannot test our hypotheses in the laboratory of nature of our apparatus. Logic has the tendency to ensure you that your "building" is a healthy one, but probably it is just a mental gymnastics without any implementation to our local universe (now the fact that it could have applications to another universe maybe satisfy you, but it is a subjective feeling).

'Professional Science' skills, in my opinion, is what we may summarise as the ability to acquire, analyse, and evolve a body of knowledge towards a particular purpose. These skills are not necessarily in the domain of pure sciences. They are also relevant to all non-material 'sciences', arts, humanities, etc. Take for example 'professional' tennis. It uses so much of scientific approach to get the trainee to achieve world class standards. These techniques are not necessarily related to physical sciences, though they use physical sciences to perfect some techniques.

Technical skills on the other hand would mean the ability to acquire, absorb and operate 'material tools' towards a particular objective. Like for example, the ability to use an electron microscope in a lab for a particular analysis. These 'technical skills' therefore are part of professional scientific skills of a researcher or scientist who works in the field of material or physical sciences. They must go hand in hand. Without professional science skills, technical skills by them-self would be akin to having a car but not knowing how to drive.

Yes.

In today's world no science can be thought of without technology. Therefore, YES professional science skills are developed jointly with technical skills.