Chapter 1 The Science of Biology

Science = organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world Goals - explain events of nature

Scientific Method = a logical, organized method of study Observe a problem. Ask a question. Collect background info (data) - make an inference = logical interpretation based on prior knowledge

3) Form a hypothesis = a statement that explains observations and can be tested

4) Experiment to test the hypothesis - 2 variables : Independent variable = Variable that you control Dependent variable = variable that changes based on independent variable

1. experimental group (variable) 2. control group (no variable) - use 2 identical groups except for one factor = independent variable (what you’re testing) 2 groups  1. experimental group (variable) 2. control group (no variable)

5) Record and analyze data - Quantitative – numbers - Qualitative - descriptive 6) Draw conclusions – based on data to support, refute, or revise hypothesis

7) Report findings – research methods, results, conclusions After many tests, develop a theory = a unifying explanation for a broad range of observations.