Science A process, not just a set of facts A way of learning about and understanding nature Uncertainty arises because not everything that scientists study are they able to observe directly There are no absolute facts or absolute laws governing science In science we test, challenge and question ideas

Scientific Method Much of the biological sciences deals with solving problems. Problems can be ecological, environmental, health related, etc. Scientists use a consistent series of steps (the scientific method) in order to answer questions about the natural world.

Scientific Method The scientific method is…. A logical and systematic approach or process to problem solving.  An organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world.

Scientific Method The steps…… Define the Problem Research the Problem State the Hypothesis Perform Experiment Collect ,Record, and Analyze Data Draw Conclusions If needed, Do more investigation

What the scientific method looks like on paper…..

Scientific Method What the scientific method looks like in real life…….

Scientific Method Let’s break each of these steps down into their individual components: Ask Question Do Background Research Construct Hypothesis Think! Try Again Test with an Experiment http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/overview_scientific_method2.gif Analyze Results Draw Conclusion Hypothesis is True Hypothesis is False or Partially True Report Results

Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems 1.Observations and questions 2.Hypothesis 3.Experimental procedure 4.Record results 5.Draw conclusions

Scientific Method 1.Observations/Questions What you see Inferences are your logical interpretations of what you see. Questions then arise……. Why should I care? Observe that plants near my neighbors yard grow bigger than the others in my yard.

Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems Observations and questions Hypothesis Experimental procedure Record results Draw conclusions

Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems Observations and questions Hypothesis Experimental procedure Record results Draw conclusions

Scientific Method 2.Hypothesis-scientific and testable explanation for observations “If……then……” If I put fertilizer on my plants, then they will grow bigger

Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems Observations and questions Hypothesis Experimental procedure Record results Draw conclusions

Scientific Method 3.Experimental procedure- designed to test hypothesis Split subjects you are testing into groups: #1 Experimental Group-given the experimental factor or changed in some way. Contains the changed variable. #2 Control Group-NOT changed. The “comparison group” #3 Constants- other variables that remain the same in both groups. Experimental Group Fertilizer Control Group No Fertilizer

Scientific Method Variable-factor in experiment that is subject to change. Independent variable- factor in experiment that’s purposely independent(changed)—fertilizer Dependant variable —factor that a scientist observes for measuring—plant height and ? Only test ONE manipulated variable while having many constants.

Scientific Method Must be a controlled, reproducible procedure Testing effects of only ONE manipulated variable Other scientists need to be able to reproduce it and find same results.

Experimental Set Up EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENTAL GROUP Difference is the Independent variable CONTROL GROUP Compare the Dependent variable Check the results in time Check the results in time

Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems Observations and questions Hypothesis Experimental procedure Collect and record data Draw conclusions

Scientific Method 4. Collect and record data Record data Qualitative data -physical traits (qualities) that can be described Quantitative data -measurements (quantities) that can be taken Pictures, tables, graphs Trends noticed

Scientific Method Results Qualitative? Quantitative? Experimental Group Control Group fertilizer no fertilizer

Scientific Method Common measurement system Metric system or (SI)- a measurement system used worldwide by scientists based on multiples of 10 Mass-grams (g) Volume-liters (L) Distance-meters (m) Temperature- Kelvin (K) or Celsius (OC)

Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems Observations and questions Hypothesis Experimental procedure Record results Draw conclusions

Scientific Method 5.Conclusions Hypothesis is either supported or rejected. NEVER “PROVEN!” If supported further testing If rejected hypothesis changed and tested again Can be partly true Findings always useful!!!

Communicate Results Results of experiments are communicated formally in written reports published in scientific journals. Other scientists can analyze the design and conclusions or repeat the experiment themselves. Repeatability is a good check on correctness of scientific conclusions.