1 Biology: The Study of Living World

2 Scientific Method Develop a hypothesis- a suggested solution to a problem. Must be testable Wrote in an If…Then…statement Variables- factors that can change in an experiment. Independent variable- What is different in an experiment. Dependant variable- The different outcome of the experiment because of the independent variable.

3 Scientific Method Run an experiment- testing the hypothesis Methods- steps of the experiment Control- a group that is used to compare the results of the experiment to what “normally” occurs. Ex. Drug Companies and the placebo effect

4 Scientific Method Analyze your data- showing trends in data clearly. Empirical Data- data collected in an experiment Quantitative- Numerical information.  EX. The scientist counted the number of bacteria in the petri dish and found there where twenty colonies. Qualitative- descriptive information  EX. The scientist described the bacteria in the petri dish as red, brown, and green.

5 Scientific Method Reliability- when an experiment gets the same results over and over again regardless of being the expected or wanted outcome. Validity- When an experiment gets the expected results sought by the experimenter and has been found to be scientifically sound and useful.

6 Scientific Method Draw conclusions- stating what the results mean. Done in published papers to add to scientific consensus Gives new questions Questions sources of error EX. Measuring quantity

7 Scientific Method Theory – an explanation for observable events or facts for which no exception has been found. Example: The Big Bang Theory Law – generalizations about how the natural world behaves under certain conditions. Example: The Law of Gravity Bias – influence in an unfair way Example: Global warming & Nicotine addiction