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The Science of Biology Chapter 1 1.1 What is science
1.2 Science in context 1.3 Studying life
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Taking notes Why do we take notes?
Restructuring information makes you think about it! Make it easier to later pick out key bits of information What is not taking notes? Copying exactly what is in the textbook Just writing out keyword definitions
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Method 1 - Outline method
Start with theme Use bullet points to gradually go into more detail on that theme Science Gather and analyze evidence in organized way about natural world Observing, thinking and knowing Process not a thing Look for patterns and connections Based on fact Form testable evidence based explanations Body of knowledge All objects in the universe are interactions between objects are governed by same natural laws Goal of Science Explain the world through observable events and processes provide natural explanations for events predict future natural events
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Method 2 - Cornell method
Divide sheet into 3 areas Bulk of text summarized in blue Green area – key points Yellow – summary of key points of the text Cue Note taking area Summary
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Cornell method - example
Science – gathering and analyzing evidence in an organized way. It is a process – a way of observing and thinking. It can also refer to the body of scientific knowledge accumulated in the past. What makes science different? Only related to natural world, never supernatural phenomena. Scientists look for patterns and connections in organized and well structured data. All explanations are based on evidence and are testable The universe is a system – everything in it interacts. Everything in the universe is governed by the same laws. Aim of science – explain the world around us by observing events and processes. Ultimate aim is to provide explanations for events in the natural world, and, through patterns, make predictions about the future. Science is a process Only natural world Evidence based explanations Same laws apply throughout universe Science provides understanding Make predictions Science – process of looking for patterns and connections in data to form testable explanations of natural world processes. Goal is to provide explanations and make predictions about natural events
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Hybrid of 2 methods Science is a process Only natural world
Evidence based explanations Same laws apply throughout universe Science provides understanding Make predictions Science Gather and analyze evidence in organized way about natural world Observing, thinking and knowing Process not a thing Look for patterns and connections Based on fact Form testable evidence based explanations Body of knowledge All objects in the universe are interactions between objects are governed by same natural laws Goal of Science Explain the world through observable events and processes provide natural explanations for events predict future natural events Science – process of looking for patterns and connections in data to form testable explanations of natural world processes. Goal is to provide explanations and make predictions about natural events
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Method 3 - Charting/mapping method
Science Goals Natural World Governed by universal laws Make predictions about future Observing Thinking Body of knowledge Organized data Explain the world through observable events and processes Provide natural explanations for events Patterns Connections Evidence based testable explanation
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Extra points These are only guides
Other methods out there – flow charts, descriptions Find what works for you Use coloured pens, underlining, Bold, CAPITAL LETTERS, effectively Use abbreviations Common ones are =, /, No Need for complete sentences
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What is Science? Gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world Organized and methodical Science is a process Evidence based explanations Make observations Identify patterns Explain processes in the natural world Dates back to Ancient Greece – the first to realise that all things are governed by universal natural laws It is constantly evolving All research builds upon previous studies Often more questions are raised than are answered To actual prove something is very rare
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Conducting research It all starts with an idea Leads to an inference
Built upon previous research, and/or observations, and a bit of imagination Leads to an inference A logical interpretation based upon what is already known This leads to hypothesis A testable scientific explanation Often based on a limited set of observations Can be supported or rejected Starting point for further investigation Then you start experimenting…
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Designing an experiment
Variable: any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types Examples – temperature, light, time Ideally one variable should be changed at a time in an experiment All others should be kept constant Otherwise how do you know what is responsible for any observations Fundamentals for a controlled experiment Variable that is deliberately changed – Independent Variable Variable that is observed/measured – Dependent variable
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How do we know it wouldn’t have happened anyway?
Control Group Exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the one independent variable If measuring effect of fertiliser concentration on plant growth, one group would have no fertiliser at all Multiple repeats increase confidence in result Make sure it wasn’t a fluke!
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Types of data Quantitative Qualitative
Data that can be directly measured Height, weight, amount of water etc… Qualitative Descriptive data, Characteristics that can’t be counted directly Provides additional information for a sample Smell, taste appearance etc…. Data is collated and organised to look for trends and patterns. Sources of error Can be caused by the tool used, the user, or variation in the sample set Mitigated through large sample set and multiple repeats
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Conclusions Experimental data used to support, refute or revise the hypothesis Often not possible to fully support or refute a hypothesis, but work forms the basis for future investigations This cycle is often repeated many times Sometimes experiments aren’t possible Animal research done through observations Medical research conducted on people already exposed to a dangerous chemical
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Sharing your results Science is often built upon previous work published in Peer reviewed scientific journals Journal article is basically a very detailed lab report Peer review means that it has been read and commented on in detail by 2 or more academics in the same field of study Doesn’t mean work is correct….. Scientists get together, discuss results, formulate new ideas
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Scientific theories and laws
A theory in science is different to how we use it in everyday life Built upon many scientific studies A theory applies to a well tested explanation unifying a variety of different ideas/hypothesis Theories can become dominant, but are not considered absoloutley true Scientific laws – Always valid under the same conditions Should imply a causal relationship between elements F= ma is a great example!
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Science overview flowchart
Background reading/Observation Idea Hypothesis Experiment Conclusions Publish Work Scientific Law Scientific Theory If you are doing groundbreaking science If you are amazing!
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