Scientific Research & Tools Biology Spring 2016

Definitions Observations- process of gathering information about events or processes in an orderly way. Data- information gathered from observations. Inference- logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experiences and/or collected data. Metric System- decimal system of units based on a scale in multiples of ten.

Two Main Types of Scientific Research Quantitative Research- Research in which data is numerical. Examples of tools used: Thermometer Used to measure temperature (Kelvin, °C, °F) Balance Used to measure mass (grams) Stopwatch Used to measure time (seconds)

Two Main Types of Scientific Research Qualitative Research (aka Descriptive Research) Research based on observations. Data is descriptive Examples of tools used: Binoculars Camera Tape recorder

Microscopes Microscopes are devices that provide magnified images of structures that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The History of the Microscope Challenge!! How many words can you make out of the prefix micro-? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue-86MDmjns

Microscopes Two types: Compound Light Microscope- allows light to pass through the specimen and uses two lenses to form an image.

Microscopes Electron Microscopes- uses beams of electrons, rather than light, to form an image. It is 1,000 times more detailed than a light microscope!