The Scientific Method By Miranda Simmons Fall 2010

Essential Question: How do scientists pose and answer questions about nature?

The Scientific Method scientific method The scientific method is a procedure that scientists use to solve a problem. It is a process of inquiry that involves observations, questions, hypotheses, predictions and test of predictions.

1. Identify the problem. observation Make an observation—information gathered using the senses. identify the problem Then ask a question, that is, identify the problem

2. Research the problem. Do some background research to see what you can find out about the problem in question.

3. Form a hypothesis. 3. Form a hypothesis. Now that you have done a little research, you can form an “educated” guess “educated” guess as to what you think the solution to the problem is. if… then… statement Must write in “if… then… statement” (cause and effect) If… …then

4. Test the hypothesis. There can only be one variable to test. experiment Design and perform an experiment to test the hypothesis.

Not like this though.

5. Collect, record, and analyze data.

6. Draw a conclusion. If your conclusion does not support your hypothesis, start overnew hypothesis then, you must start over and come up with a new hypothesis.

If the conclusion does not support the forms another hypothesis, the scientist forms another hypothesis and tests it again. If the conclusion supports the hypothesis, repeated the experiment should be repeated many times. theory scientific law. The hypothesis may then become a theory or a scientific law.

Here is an Example! The scientific process is NOT just used by scientists. You use it most everyday whether you realize it or not!

1. Identify the Problem. Don’t cry! Use the scientific method to figure out why! Why won’t my car start?

2. Do some background research.

3. Form a hypothesis If then If my car doesn’t start, then it must have a dead battery.

4. Now test your hypothesis with an experiment. EASY EASY What is an EASY EASY test (experiment) that you can perform to see if the battery is dead? Check to see if the lights come on! OR Check to see if the radio comes on!

5. Collect, Record and Analyze the Data. mental note In this case, it is as simple as making a mental note that the lights did or did not come on! Hmmm, the lights did come on!

6. Draw a Conclusion. The car’s battery is not the reason why my car won’t start. In this case, the conclusion does not support the hypothesis.

So now what??? If the conclusion does not support the hypothesis, then you still have the problem. You must form a new hypothesis!

Form a New Hypothesis. Ifthen If my car won’t start, then it must be out of gas.

Now test your hypothesis with an experiment. EASY EASY What is an EASY EASY test (experiment) that you can perform to see if the car is out of gas? Check the gas gauge! OR Add gas!

Collect, Record and Analyze the Data. mental note In this case, it is as simple as making a mental note that the car does or does not crank after gas has been added! Hmmm, the car will crank now!

Draw a Conclusion. The car would not start because it was out of gas. In this case, the conclusion does support the hypothesis.

Problem is solved!

Think! Can you can name all six steps?

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. _______ ___ ______ 2. _________the problem 3. Form a _________ 4. _____ the hypothesis (with a what?) 5. Collect, record and ________ data. 6. _____ __ _________ Hey, did you get all that? Identify IdentifytheproblemResearch hypothesis Test analyze Drawaconclusion

Okay, do it again! Step 1 Step 2 Step 4 Step 3 Step 5 Step 6

How did you do? Identify Problem

How did you do? Identify Problem Research Problem

How did you do? Identify Problem Research Problem Form hypothesis

How did you do? Identify Problem Research Problem Test hypothesis Form hypothesis

How did you do? Identify Problem Research Problem Test hypothesis Form hypothesis Collect, record, analyze data analyze data

How did you do? Identify Problem Research Problem Test hypothesis Form hypothesis Collect, record, analyze data analyze data Draw conclusion

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Identify the problem 2. Research the problem 3. Form a hypothesis 4. Test the hypothesis 5. Collect, record and analyze data 6. Draw a conclusion

Parts of an Experiment

Parts of an Experiment – The Variables 3 types of variables There are 3 types of variables manipulative manipulative – variable that you control (the independent cause); a.k.a. independent variable responding responding – variable that changes as a result of what you changed or manipulated in dependent the experiment (the result); a.k.a. dependent variable controlconstants control –(a.k.a. constants) are variables or factors that remain unchanged throughout the experiment

Problem: Do plants require sunlight in order to live?

Place one plant in darkness. Experiment: Procedure Place one plant in sun light.

What is the manipulative variable for this experiment? LIGHT!

What is the responding variable? Its whether the plant lives or dies. It’s the life of the plant.

What are some control variables? Same kind of plant. Same kind and amount of fertilizer. Same amount of water. Same temperature.

Other Control Variables Same size plants. Same type soil. Same starting healthy condition.

Can you name even more control variables? Same watering and feeding time each day. Same size pot. Same amount of soil.

The End

Another Example Problem: Do students perform better on test while listening to music?

The other group of students do not get music played while taking their test. Experiment: Procedure One group of students gets the music.

What is the manipulative variable for this experiment?

What is the responding variable? The test grades.

What are some control variables? Same type of room temperature & environment. Same amount of time to take test. Same test.

Parts of an Experiment – The Groups The control group The control group – used for comparison to show that that the result of an experiment is really due to the condition being tested. This group does NOT receive the test. The experimental group The experimental group – group that will receive the test (the manipulative variable).

The data The data – info. gathered from observations during an experiment. Two types: qualitative 1. qualitative- collected through the senses ex. color, texture, general properties quantitativenumbers 2. quantitative involves numbers (quantity) or measurements - ex. how much? Parts of an Experiment – The Data

Qualitative data are descriptions in words of what is being observed. It is based on some quality of an observation, such as sight, sound, color, odor, or texture. Qualitative data Qualitative data - collected through the senses ex. color, texture, general properties. Qualitative Data

The data is objective—they are the same no matter who measures them. It includes measurements such as mass, volume, temperature, distance, concentration, time or frequency. Quantitativenumbers Quantitative involves numbers (quantity) or measurements - ex. how much? Quantitative Data Quantitative data are numeric measurements.

Suppose that a marine biologist observes the behavior and activities of dolphins. She identifies different dolphins within the group and observes them every day for a month. She records detailed observations about their behaviors. Some of her observations are qualitative data and some are quantitative data.

Qualitative data examples Dolphin colors range from gray to white. Dolphins in a pod engage in play behavior. Dolphins have smooth skin.

Quantitative data examples There are ten dolphins in this pod. Dolphins eat an equivalent of 4-5% of their body mass each day. The sonar frequency most often used by the dolphins is around 100kHz.

Identify Data Types Suppose that you are a biologist studying jackals in their natural habitat in Africa. You observe their behaviors and interactions, and take pictures of their interactions to study later. Examine the photo & give: *3 examples of qualitative data *3 examples of quantitative data

Identify Data Types Suppose a team of scientists is studying the migration of animal species in Africa. One of the scientists takes this photograph. Examine the photo & give: *3 examples of qualitative data that could be collected during this research *3 examples of quantitative data that could be collected during this research

Theory explanation Theory – well tested explanation of how something in nature works; it is well supported. disappearance of the dinosaurs Ex. theory of the disappearance of the dinosaurs Scientific Law Scientific Law – A rule of nature that states a fact, but does not attempt to explain it. Newton’s 3 laws of motion Ex. Newton’s 3 laws of motion Theory v.s. Law

Science and Technology

*Science does not address things that cannot be tested, such as beauty or ethics. *Science deals only with hypotheses that are testable and subject to modification as knowledge and methods of testing advance. * Hypotheses that are not testable, such as those involving supernatural causes, lie outside the realm of science.

Also, unapproachable by science are questions such as, What is the spiritual meaning of life? * The quest for answers to questions like this lie in the realms of philosophy and religion.

Biology, technology and society are connected in important ways Technological advances stem from scientific research, and research benefits from technology. The goal of science is to understand natural phenomena. The goal of technology is to apply scientific knowledge for some specific purpose. Scientists often speak of discoveries. Engineers often speak of inventions.

The beneficiaries of those inventions also include scientists, who use new technology in their research. And scientific discoveries often lead to the development of new technologies. Science is driven by curiosity, whereas technology is driven by the needs and wants of people and on the social environment at times.

Technology has improved our standard of living in ways, but not without having adverse consequences. Technology that keeps people healthier has enabled Earth’s population to grow more than tenfold in the past three centuries, to more than 6 billion.

The environmental effects of this population growth can be devastating: Global warming Toxic wastes Acid rain Deforestation Nuclear accidents Extinction of species

Science can help us identify such problems and provide insight into what course of action may prevent further damage. But solutions to these problems have as much to do with politics, economics, and cultural values as with science and technology.

Now that science and technology have become powerful aspects of society, every citizen has a responsibility to develop a reasonable amount of scientific literacy. The science-technology-society relationship is an important aspect of a biology course.

Why study biology? Your knowledge of biology can help you make informed decisions about issues involving endangered species, biotechnology, medical research, and pollution control, to name a few.

Connections to Everyday Life : o birth and death o human population o nutrition, exercise and dieting o medical concerns of all kinds o agriculture, including forestry o biodiversity and endangered species o pollution and environmental changes due to global warming. Biology is connected to our lives in many ways:

Biology and Your Health An understanding of biology on many different levels—genetic, chemical, and cellular, for example—can help you make any number of lifestyle choices that affect your health. Why is it important to where sunscreen? What are the benefits of exercise? What are the effects of using alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco? Cigarette smoke does not just affect the lungs; it can also change a person’s body chemistry. Lower levels of monoamine oxidase in the brain can affect mood and lower levels in the liver could contribute to high blood pressure.

Biologists and other scientists research environmental issues such as pollution, biodiversity, habitat preservation, land conservation, and natural resource use, but decisions about the future are not in the hands of scientists. It is up to everyone to make decisions based on evidence and conclusions from many different sources.

Many technological advances stem from the scientific study of life. Evaluating everyday reports in the popular press about a large range of subjects requires critical thinking and some familiarity with many areas of biology.

Some News Issues Related to Biology  Global warming  Air and water pollution  Endangered species  Genetic engineering  Test tube babies  Nutrition  Aerobic exercise  Weight control  Medical advances  AIDS and the immune system

Evolution is connected to our everyday lives Evolution is the core theme of biology. Evolution tells us that all living species are descendants of ancestral species that have become modified as natural selection adapts populations to their environments. As environments change, populations change.

Biologists now recognize that differences in DNA among individuals, populations, and species reflect the pattern of evolutionary change. Evolution teaches us that the environment matters because it is a powerful selective force for traits that best adapt populations to their environment. Evolution affects everyday life in medicine, agriculture, forensics, and conservation. Environmental changes are powerful selective pressures on the adaptive traits of many populations.

The End

Did ya? Huh? Did ya??? Identify the problem 1. Identify the problem Research 2. Research the problem hypothesis 3. Form a hypothesis Test experiment 4. Test the hypothesis (with an experiment) analyze data 5. Collect, record and analyze data Draw a conclusion 6. Draw a conclusion