1.1.2 The Scientific Method

1
1.1.2 The Scientific Method

• Process of the Scientific Method

2
Learning Objectives - Biology

• Definition of the term Biology?
• Name and explain at least three areas of study
  incorporated in Biology?

3
Definition for Biology

• BIOLOGY is the study of living things

4
Biology has many different areas of study

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Botany
• Ecology
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Physiology
• Zoology

5
Anatomy

• The study of the internal and external structure
  of plants and animals

6
Biochemistry

• The study of the chemical processes and products
  involved in metabolism

7
Botany

• The study of plant structure, physiology,
  distribution and classification

8
Learning Objectives Scientific Method

• State the process of the Scientific Method
• State the limitations of value of the Scientific
  Method
• State some possible sources of errors

9
The Scientific Method

• The scientific method is a way to solve a problem
  
• This is the method on which all projects should
  be based.

10
The Scientific Method

• The Scientific Method involves the following
  steps
• Making observations
• Formulating a hypothesis
• Designing a controlled experiment
• Collecting and interpreting data
• Forming a conclusion
• Comparing the conclusion with existing knowledge
• Reporting and publishing the results
• Developing theories and principles

11
Steps in the scientific method
12
Observation

• You observe something using your senses or
  machines which are basically extensions of those
  senses.

13
Question

• You ask a question about what you observed.
• State it as a problem or question.

14
Learning check

• What are the steps in the Scientific Method?

15
Hypothesis

• Hypothesis   a testable tentative answer to a
  question
•   (hypo under beneath thesis an arranging)
• You predict what you think the answer to your
  question might be. The hypothesis is a testable
  explanation for what was observed.
• The scientist tries to explain what caused what
  was observed.

16
Experiment

• You figure out a way to test whether your
  hypothesis is correct or not. The outcome must be
  measurable. (quantifiable)
• Record and analyze data.

17
Result

• You do the experiment(s) using the method you
  came up with and record the results.
• You repeat the experiment to confirm your
  results.

18
Learning check

• What is the next step?
• The Conclusion

19
Conclusion

• You state whether your prediction was confirmed
  or not and try to explain your results.

20
Compare

• You compare your conclusion with existing
• knowledge.

21
Finally

• You Report and Publish your results.
• You Develop a theory or principle.

22
Need to know

• State the process of the Scientific Method
• Explain the following
• Observation Hypothesis
• Design Experiment
• Record Analyze Data
• Conclusions
• Compare to Existing Knowledge,
• Reporting Theory Principle

23
1.1.2 The Scientific Method

• Limitations of the Scientific Method

24
The Scientific Method

• Is limited by the extent of our basic knowledge
• Is limited by our ability to interpret the
  results
• is limited to what can be observed with the five
  senses e.g., what existed prior to the Big Bang
  and the known universe is outside of the realm of
  science to investigate
• is limited by the changes in the natural world

25
Limitations of the Scientific Method

• tells us how a process works, not why e.g.,
  does not really explain why the Universe exists
• inability to answer value-based questions
  involving should
• may be affected by the emotional involvement of
  investigator
• may be affected by time pressure for results

26
Limitations of the Scientific Method

• inability to capture the full richness and
  complexities of the participants
• limitations of our measurement instruments
• ethical and legal responsibilities
• Religious beliefs
• we can never be sure all untested variables are
  controlled

27
Limitations of the Scientific Method

• conclusions based on the experimental data must
  remain tentative
• human personality traits are part of real
  science
• scientists sometimes make mistakes
• accidents, lucky guesses, intellectual powers,
  and controversies with others contribute strongly
  to scientific advances

28
Need to know

• State the limitations of value of the Scientific
  Method

29
Learning objectives Experimentation

• Can you state about eight principles of
  experimentation?

Random Selection Replicaton Double-Blind
Testing Sources of errors
Planning Design Safety Procedure Control
Experiment Sample Size
30
What is an experiment?

• 1. An experiment is a controlled test.
• 2. Only one variable should be changed at a
  time.
• a. Independent variable changed by the
  experimenter.
• (Hint I change the Independent variable)
• b. Dependent variable (Responding) the
  effect.

31
What is an experiment?

• 3. Constants do not change.
• 4. Controlled variables are those which could
  change, but are not allowed to.
• 5. Two parts to an experiment
• a. Control group normal conditions.
• b. Experimental group(s) variables are
  changed.
• 6. Prediction is the goal of experiments.

32
How to organise an experiment OR The Principles
of Experimentation

1. Use Double-blind testing
2. Change one factor at a time
3. Measure changes
4. Analyze the results
5. State possible sources of error
6. Repeat the experiment

1. Plan and design the experiment
2. Be aware of Safety procedures
3. Select organisms at random
4. Use a large enough sample size
5. Use a control group

33
Learning check

• What is an experiment?
• It is a controlled test where only one variable
  is changed at a time.

34
An example of an experiment

• Observation It has been suggested that large
  daily doses of Vitamin C protect against the
  common cold virus.
• Hypothesis Vitamin C protects against the common
  cold virus

35
An example of an experiment

• Experiment design Ten adult males in their mid
  twenties who are friends of the investigator were
  chosen to test the possible value of vitamin C.
• 5 of them were given 3000mg of vitamin C a day
  the other 5 were given a placebo.
• Which is the control group?
• Which is the experimental group?
• Is this a good experiment?

36
Problems with experiment design

• All males
• All mid twenties
• All friends
• Not a large enough sample

37
A Good Experiment

• Should
• Have only one variable
• Use a large number of samples
• Use random selection
• Be repeated
• Use double blind testing

38
Learning objectives Experimentations

• Can you state about eight principles of
  experimentation?

Random Selection Replicaton Double-Blind
Testing Sources of errors
Planning Design Safety Procedure Control
Experiment Sample Size
39
END