1. The Scientific Method
Learning Goals 1, 3, & 4

2. The Scientific Method
Using the physical, observable world to explain the physical components of nature
Biology is done in one of two ways:
Discovery Science: describing nature
Observations of facts
Measurements of phenomena (observable fact)
Hypothesis-Based Science: explaining nature
Comparative questions
Hypotheses
Experiments

3. Types of Biology Write an example of discovery science.
Write an example of hypothesis-based science.

4. Hypothesis-Based Method
Observe
Question
Hypothesize
Test/Experiment
Conclusion

5. Additional Resources Bozeman Biology Scientific Method Podcast:

6. 1) Observation Begin by observing a problem in nature
A problem can be anything you don’t know how to explain
Observations can be of everyday life, nature, space, etc.
The physical world/universe

7. 2) Question The question/problem must be: Correct Example:
Specific
Comparative
Testable
Correct Example:
Will Tylenol tablets reduce pain faster than
Advil tablets?
Incorrect Example:
Is the Mona Lisa more beautiful than The Blue
Boy?

8. Write a Comparative Question
We will be testing how quickly antacids dissolve in different water samples. Write a comparative question for the above experiment that you can test.

9. 3) Hypotheses A possible outcome in an experiment Example:
Your prediction of what will happen.
Example:
Antacids will dissolve more quickly in lemonade than orange juice.

10. Hypotheses Practice
Write a hypothesis for your antacid experiment

11. 4) Test/Experiment Must address your question Must be repeatable
2 groups (one for each part of your comparison):
Independent variable – the 1 difference between the 2 groups
The scientist intentionally adds or removes something from one group; this is recorded as data
Dependent variable – changes that occur during the experiment
As a result of the independent variable
This is recorded as data
Controlled Experiment/Variables – everything else in the experiment must remain the same between both groups

12. Tests What is the independent variable in your antacid experiment?
What is the dependent variable you expect to record in your antacid experiment?

13. Experimental Error
The study of life can be difficult, mistakes will happen:
Avoidable error
An error that can be controlled for in future experiments
Unavoidable error
An error that cannot be corrected for

14. There are many sources of error (next to each type put whether they are avoidable or unavoidable)
Not following instructions = _______
Disease = _______
Measuring mistakes = _______
unpredictable animal behavior = _______
Death = _______
human error = _______

15. 5) Conclusion An analysis of the data collected during the experiment
Explanation of what happened
Explain the results and compare them to your hypotheses
Build on ideas that succeed; reject ideas that fail
Scientists will often publish their success to share with the world, and to make sure they get credit for their discovery
A theory is a strong scientific statement supported by hundreds of experiments

16. Mythbusters Did they do the science the correct way?
Identify: Observation, question, hypotheses, experiment, independent variable, dependent variable, & conclusions
What could they have done better?