l The word science is derived from a Latin verb meaning “to know” l Science developed from our curiosity about ourselves and the world around us THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE

The Process of Science: "The Scientific Method"

What’s a Scientific Question? l Scientific Questions are….

What’s a Hypothesis? l Tentative, but untested explanations l Make predictions that can be tested

How do you test a Hypothesis? lVia controlled experiments or pertinent observations lKinds of variables:

Experiments of classica l design l Individuals studied divided into two groups » Experimental group » Control group

How does science really work in today’s world? l Exhaustive literature search + observations   hypothesis l Prediction l Write a proposal, design experiment l Get money $$$$$ l Revise proposal based on $$$ l Experiment/collect data l Statistics l Write manuscript of results l Publish or perish

FactLAW l A fact leads to a law, eventually. l What is a law? Observation

l What happens if all of our experiments fail to negate our hypothesis? l What if workers in other parts of the community, county, state, country, or world also fail to negate your hypothesis?

Theory l Definition: Observations Hypothesis LAW Experimentation Theory

Finished? l How long do theories last?

To Prove or Not to Prove l Experimentation can either support or reject a hypothesis. l Experimentation can never prove a hypothesis 100% correct. – why? l After each each experiment we need to re- evaluate our results and observations to either make changes in our hypothesis or more likely design a new experiment.