1. Lecture 1 The Nature of Science and the Scientific Method Ozgur Unal
NIS - BIOLOGY
Lecture 1
The Nature of Science and the Scientific Method
Ozgur Unal

2. Science: What does come to your mind?
The Nature of Science
Science: What does come to your mind?
Science is a process that uses observation and investigation to gain knowledge about the events in nature.
Observation: Act of gathering information
Inferences: Drawing conclusions from observations
Investigation: Includes observing, experimenting, modelling

3. The Scientific Method
Scientific Method

4. The Scientific Method Hypothesis: An educated guess
Experiment: A way to test hypothesis
Collect data
Analyze data
Draw conclusions
Serendipity?
Experiments include variables:
Dependent variables
Independent variables
Constants

5. The Scientific Method
Question: How does the thickness of the seed coat affect the germination rate of the seeds?
Hypothesis?
If the thickness of the coating is smaller, the seeds germinate faster.
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis:
A seed with scratched coat
A seed with a hole in the coat (nicked)
A seed with an unscratched coat

6. The Scientific Method Identify variables: Coating thickness
Independent variable:
Dependent variable:
Constant:
Coating thickness
Germination rate
Temperature, amount of sunlight, water etc.
Control: The seed with normal coating is used to compare the growth rates.

7. Perform the experiment, collect and record your data:
The Scientific Method
Perform the experiment, collect and record your data:
Type of seed
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Control 1 8 15
Sanded 3 9 12 24
Nicked 4 7 19 29
Draw conclusions: ??
Share your results: Communicate

8. The Scientific Method - Summary

9. Astronomy vs Astrology Which one is a science? Why?
The Scientific Method
Astronomy vs Astrology
Which one is a science? Why?