1. The Nature of Scientific Inquiry
The Scientific Method

2. Vocabulary Terms Inquiry Synthesize Observation Inference
Scientific Method

3. Objectives:
Move from Inductive Reasoning to Deductive Reasoning

4. Types of Scientific Inquiry
Inductive Reasoning
Formulate a conclusion based upon a set of specific observations
Deductive Reasoning
Specific predictions are made by applying general scientific principles

5. Inductive reasoning: an example
Observation #1: More bees on daisies than petunias
Observation # 2: More nectar production in daisies than petunias
Now what?
Formulate a conclusion
Test it!

6. Deductive Reasoning: an example
Principle #1: Bees will be attracted to high nectar plants versus low nectar plants
Principle #2: Daisies synthesize more nectar than petunias
Prediction Statement:
Therefore: More bees will be attracted to daisies than petunias
Test it!

7. Observations
data that are descriptions of qualities such as shape, color, taste, feel, etc…
acquired by using your senses
Two Types:
Objective observation
Subjective observation

8. 2 Types of Observations Objective Subjective
an observation based on fact
fact – a piece of information that can be strictly defined and proved true.
Subjective
an observation based on opinion
opinion – a statement that expresses a belief, value, or feeling

9. Objective or Subjective?
Science looks like fun today!
Subjective
Kanye West’s songs sound good!
The counter-tops in class are black!
Objective
School French fries taste good!
The summer was too short!
There are sixty seconds in a minute!

10. Objective or Subjective?
Which type of observations should be used in science?
Objective observations should be used in science because they are based on facts and the basis of science is to identify the facts!

11. Inference an explanation that tries to make sense of your observations
influenced by your experiences/prior knowledge
these explanations may not be true
Example
Observation:
John was breathing heavily as he walked into the classroom.
Possible Inferences:
He ran to class because he was going to be late
He just played basketball in gym

12. What would you infer? Everyone is closing their book because…
Many students buy French fries because…
Students arrived to class sweaty because…
4. All of the students are laughing because…

13. The Scientific Method Observe the system Collect Information/Research
Formulate a hypothesis
Test the hypothesis (Experiment)
Accept or reject the hypothesis (Analysis of Data)
Refine your hypothesis
Publish your results (Conclusions)
Hypothesis rejected

14. Steps to Solving a Problem (The Scientific Method)
Identify the Problem
State the problem to be solved or the question to be answered.
Collect Information/Research
Obtain facts and ideas from books, journals, internet, etc. that provide insight regarding your problem/question. Cite these resources.
Form a Hypothesis
Based on the information/research you collect, propose a solution or “best guess” that will help guide your experimentation and attempt to answer the proposed problem/question.
Test Your Hypothesis – “Experiment”
Describe, design, and conduct an experiment that will give you information or data that supports (or not) your hypothesis.
Accept or Reject Your Hypothesis – “Analysis”
Determine whether your data/results from the experiment supports (or not) your hypothesis; if not, it may be necessary to review your information/research and revise your hypothesis.
Report Your Results – “Conclusion”
Formulate a conclusion that answers the original question from step one and share the results with the scientific community (or the community at large).

15. Hypothesis a working explanation or trial answer to a problem
an “educated guess”
can be written in the form of an “If..., then..., because...” statement
is not necessarily proven correct just because data/results from one experiment supports it
Example
If an individual increases his/her activity level, then their heart rate will increase because the body’s muscles (cells) will require more oxygen to function at a higher level. A faster beating heart will increase blood flow; thus, allowing an increased concentration of oxygen to reach the cells in need.

16. Data
factual information
Two Types
1. Quantitative
2. Qualitative

17. 2 Types of Data Quantitative data consisting of numbers Qualitative
Example
Heart rate (80 beats/minute)
Qualitative
data consisting of verbal descriptions or information gathered using scales without numbers
Examples
Verbal description of heart rate (fast or slow)

18. Repeated Trials experimental tests done more than once
necessary to provide more accurate results; data is averaged together
lessens the impact of a chance error on the experimental results
Examples
In the heart rates lab each participant recorded their heart rates after performing various activities. Each participant’s data (for resting, walking, and running) represents a trial. If five total individuals performed the activities and gathered data, then there were a total of five trials.

19. Features of Experiments
Control (Control Group)
Condition which is held constant; allows for comparisons/determination of causality
Independent variable
Manipulated condition
Response/dependent variable
Some factor (or set of factors) which are monitored for change

20. Variables
things that can be assigned or take on different values in an experiment
any factor that can change
Two Types
1. Independent
2. Dependent

21. Two Types of Variables Independent
variables that are purposely changed or manipulated in an experiment
the factor that you wish to test
usually expressed after the word “if” in the hypothesis
could be thought of as the “cause” in a cause and effect relationship
Example
The activity level (resting, walking, running)
Dependent
variables that may change as a result of the independent variable
the factor you measure to gather results
usually expressed after the word “then” in the hypothesis
could be thought of as the “effect” in a cause and effect relationship
Example
The person’s heart rate

22. Identify the Variables
independent
variable
If a student chooses to not study, then they will earn a poor grade.
If you drink Gatorade before a soccer game, then you will score more goals.
If you increase the mechanical advantage of a pulley system used to move an object, then the input force becomes less.
dependent
variable
independent
variable
dependent
variable
independent
variable
dependent
variable

23. Control or Control Group
a group of subjects in an experiment that are not given any special treatment
something that is not manipulated
same as the experimental group in every possible way, except for the factor being tested
a neutral point of reference for comparison – it allows you to see what changing a variable does by comparing it to not changing anything.
Example
The resting heart rate represented the baseline heart rate to which any increase in activity level was compared to.

24. Constants
Factors in an experiment (both in the experimental and control groups) that are kept the same and not allowed to change
Examples
One minute was consistently the amount of time allotted to perform the necessary activity
The type of activity performed
The stopwatch used during data collection
The method used to measure the heart rate

25. Field vs. Laboratory Experiments
Able to control most extraneous variables
Typically short term
Sacrifices biological realism
Field
Typically longer than lab experiments (weeks, months, even years!)
More environmental variablility
More biological realism

26. Natural “experiments”
Study which involves observations and data recording in the interest of finding interesting and unique patterns
Lacks controls
Less powerful than either lab or field expts
Can provide important natural history information for future controlled
studies

27. Science versus Pseudoscience
Contrary to popular belief there is no one singular “Scientific Method”
Methods and evidence vary by discipline
Physics
Cellular/molecular
Geology
Chemistry
Evolutionary biology
Ecology

28. What is Science, then? Science is a way of knowing or inquiring
Features of Science
Develops predictions that are testable and REFUTABLE
Methods are reasonably replicable
Avoids claims of certitude
Results in a body of evidence open and accepting of scrutiny

29. What is pseudoscience? Many types, but some common examples:
“Most dentists prefer…..”
“I lost __ pounds in ten weeks. You can too!”
If you place a penny on fish meat it will turn color if it is ciguatoxic”
“My uncle smoked until he was 85 years old…”

30. Common features of Pseudoscience
Lacks clear operational definitions
Avoids statistical or probabilistic qualification
Not open for refutation or lacks objective method of testing

31. Find Someone Who…… activity
7 Shapes to fill
You can fill 1 shape for yourself
You need to find 6 others to fill in the other shapes with answers
If you ask someone for an answer, they must in turn provide an answer to you
Write the name of the person who gave you the answer next to their answer

32. Find Someone Who…. List the Steps to the Scientific Method
can be anywhere from 5-8 steps
Does not need to be in order
For Hypothesis: Given an EXAMPLE
Write in “If ……. Then …. Because” format
List AND Explain – meaning identify the type and then define it or explain what it is.

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