1. Chapter 1: The Methods of Biology – Scientific Method

2. Scientific Method
_______ _______ - a __________ and ________ procedure of investigation used in science; combination of scientific ___________ in a logical way.
Logical
orderly
processes
Basic Steps in the Scientific Method:
1. Define the problem
2. Research; gather information about the problem
3. Form a hypothesis
4. Design and perform an experiment to test the hypothesis
5. Observe, Record, and Analyze Data
6. Draw a Conclusion
Accurately report and publish research methods, results, and conclusions to others

3. ____________ - an “_________ _____” about the solution to a scientific problem; a testable explanation for a question or problem.
Hypothesis
Educated guess
Basis for stating hypotheses: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Experience
Extensive Reading (Research)
Pervious experiments
Scientist reasoning powers

4. ____________ - a procedure that tests a hypothesis by the process of collecting information under controlled conditions; a series of controlled _____________
Experiment
observations
Controlled Experiment
_________ ___________ - experiment in which all conditions are kept the same except for the one factor which is to be experimented upon
Main parts of a controlled experiment:
____________ ________(____ ______; ________; ___________ _________; ___________ ________) – the part of the experiment containing the one condition which is to be changed or tested.
Independent Variable
Test group
Variable
Experimental variable
Manipulated variable
__________ ________(_________; __________ _______) - the standard in which all conditions are kept the same; the standard by which the independent variable is compared.
Dependent Variable
Control
Responding variable

5. Data
______ - observations taken and recorded in an experiment; “_____”
Facts
Types of measurements:
___________ measurements- measurements describing the dimensions of an object; measures ________; always includes a ________ and a _____
  quant = “________”
 2. _________ measurements- measurement describing the appearance of an object;describes ______
qual = “________”
Quantitative
quantity
number
unit
Example: Height = 25 meters
quantity
Qualitative
quality
Example: thickness of oil
quality

6. Scientific processes include:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10.
11.
Hypothesizing
Predicting
Experimenting
Measuring
Observing and Collecting Data
Organizing data
Classifying
Analyzing Data
Inferring
Modeling
Communicating

7. _______ - the most probable explanation for a set of data based on the best available evidence; scientific statement based on _____________ that support a hypothesis.
Theory
Observations
________ (___________) – a general statement that describes a wide variety of phenomena; a theory that has withstood the test of time.
Law
Principle