1. Chapter 1 
Scientific Method

2. A. Scientific Method B. Observation Chapter 1.4 - The Process of Life
1. Biology is the scientific study of life. 2. The general process of science is said to be characterized by a sequence of stages. (The Scientific Method!)
B. Observation
1. Scientists believe nature is orderly and measurable.
2. Science also considers that natural laws do not change with time. 3. Phenomena can therefore be understood from observations. 4. Actual science research may also involve chance                  (e.g., Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin).

3. Let’s Test Your Observation Skills
Can you find the 5 differences?

4. *This principle of science is known as NATURAL CAUSALITY, by its nature it excludes supernatural phenomenon*
What are some things that are considered supernatural?

5. Shows like ghost hunters only “pretend” to be scientific.
Why is it impossible to truly study this phenomenon?

6. Examples of Inductive Reasoning
C. Hypothesis
1. Inductive reasoning allows a person to combine isolated facts into a cohesive whole.
The term "inductive reasoning" refers to reasoning that takes specific information and makes a broader generalization that is considered probable, allowing for the fact that the conclusion may not be accurate.
Examples of Inductive Reasoning
All observed police officers are under 50 years old. John is a police officer. John is under 50 years old.
All marsupials have a pouch, a kangaroo is a marsupial, kangaroos have pouches.
* Come up with your own example

7. 2. A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a natural event - must be testable
Examples of hypotheses, check those that are valid and can be tested
_____Bluebirds sing to attract mates.  _____ Bluebird songs are beautiful. _____ Only male bluebirds sing.  _____ Sparrows will leave territories where they hear bluebird songs..  _____ Bluebirds hate sparrows.

8. Create Your Own Hypothesis

9. D. Experiments/Further Observations
Deductive reasoning involves “if, then” logic that predicts what will happen based on the hypothesis or theory.
Involves general RULES to make predictions.
Example: Based on the law of gravity, I can predict that a bowling ball and a golf ball will fall at the same speed. 

10. Comparing Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

11. These graphics shows what kind of reasoning?

12. One of the most common and useful forms of deductive reasoning is the syllogism. The syllogism is a specific form of argument that has three easy steps.1. Every X has the characteristic Y.2. This thing is X.3. Therefore, this thing has the characteristic Y.
1.  Every vertebrate has a backbone
2.  Cows are vertebrates.
3.  Cows have backbones.

13. FALSIFIABILITY
It is important than any statement or hypothesis is falsifiable - if there is no evidence out there that would prove the statement wrong, then there is no point in running any tests.

14. It is bad science to ask someone to PROVE A NEGATIVE.
For example:
Prove that ghosts don’t exist.
Prove that cell phones don’t cause cancer.
Prove that there are no aliens.
Prove that telepathy doesn’t exist.
The burden of proof lies on the claimant. If you make a claim, then you must be the one to provide evidence for that claim. (It is not on other people to show it to be false.)
Check out the Amazing Randi’s Video on Proving the Negative

15. E. Data
1. observable and objective. 2. often displayed in a graph or table. 3. Often the data must be inspected for the probability the data could show a relationship by chance; 
                       this is a measure of “significance.”
You roll two dice, they both turn up ONEs.  This does not fit your prediction that you will only roll a ONE  1 out of 6 times.  Is the data significant enough to change your prediction?

16. What is an anecdote?
Anecdotes are singular observations, stories people tell, or things someone might have heard.
It is NOT data.

17. F. Conclusion
1. Whether the data support or reject the hypothesis is the basis for the “conclusion.” - avoid the word "prove" 
2. Science findings are reported in scientific journals so results are available to the research community (peer review).
3. The experiments and observations must be repeatable or the research is suspect.

18. The Importance of Publication
After scientists have conducted research, in order for the conclusions to be considered valid, they must publish their findings in a PEER-REVIEWED journal
Peer review means that other scientists will look at their experiment, design, data, and conclusions and determine if they think the research is valid.
Check out PLOS for a source of open-source, peer reviewed science articles.
JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association

20. Let's Recap the Important Points
1.  Hypothesis
2.  Data Collection
3.  Conclusions
General Logic Stuff
Inductive versus Deductive Reasoning
Falsifiability
Syllogism
Natural Causation

21. In your own words (or with a graphic) explain the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning.

22. G. Scientific Theory
The ultimate goal is to understand the natural world in scientific theories, and conceptual schemes supported by a broad range of data.
Say What?
 Dissect that sentence....what does it really mean? 

24. 2. The terms “principle” and “law” are also used for generally accepted theories. Basic theories of biology are:
a. Cell theory: all organisms are made of cells.
b. Biogenesis theory: life only comes from life.
c. Evolution theory: living things have a common ancestor and are adapted to their environment
d. Gene theory: Organisms contain coded information that determines their form, function, and behavior.

25. Other Theories and Laws
e. Germ Theory - microorganisms are the causes of diseases f. Heliocentric Theory - planets revolve around the sung. Theory of Gravity - masses attract each other
Theories can be changed if new evidence presents itself.
Much of our understanding of science has changed over the years as our technology has gotten better.

26. What is the difference between a theory and a law?
Theories do not become LAWS.
Theories explain sets of data. (WHY)
Laws provide general rules for what we expect to happen. (WHAT)
A theory is not a lesser form of a law.

27. Why isn't creationism considered a theory?
Keeping in mind that there is nothing wrong with religious beliefs, things like creationism are not considered scientific because they do not meet the criteria of a scientific theory itself.
1. Creationism -tells- us what happened, and doesn't explain how, when, why or through what mechanism
2. Creationism cannot be proven false - ie, you cannot disprove the existence of a divine creation
3. The nature of creationism means that the primary tenant (divine creation) can never be changed, much for the same reason you can't disprove it.
4. Not based on natural causes (natural causality)

28. Creationism in the Public Schools
A majority of Louisianans – 57.5 percent – support teaching creationism in the public schools while 31 percent oppose teaching creationism and 11 percent say they are unsure or do not know. Part of the issue resides in an understanding of scientific support for evolution. Forty-percent of respondents said that evolution is not well supported by evidence and accepted in the scientific community and 21 percent said they did not know or were unsure. Thirty-nine percent said correctly that evolution is well supported by evidence.
Source:

29. H. A Controlled Study
1. Some investigations are managed where conditions can be kept constant
a. A variable is a factor that can cause an observable change  
b. The experimental variable is the step that is deliberately manipulated (what you changed).
c. A dependent variable is what you measure (the results).

30. Examples of experimental (independent) and dependent variables
Question: Does colored light affect plant growth?
What is the experimental variable?
What is the dependent variable?
What variables must be kept constant - or controlled?

31. Example of a Controlled Study
Observation: Babies are born with severe birth defects, mothers of these babies report taking the drug thalidomide during pregnancy for morning sickness.
Question: Does thalidomide cause birth defects?
Hypothesis: Thalidomide causes birth defects.

32. Experiment:
Control group: Mice not given thalidomide during pregnancy
Variable: Mice given thalidomide during pregnancy
In this experiment, mice born from both the control and variable group will not have birth defects. This experiment was performed long before thalidomide was marketed and prescribed to pregnant women.
Does these mean that the hypothesis is not supported?

33. What is confirmation bias?
What are ways scientists can reduce bias?
What is a double blind experiment?
Scientific Method Scenarios - design an experiment (controls, variables, set-up), include ways you could reduce bias in the experiment
Each table will get their own question to discuss.

34. A Field Study 
Example: male bluebirds act aggessively toward other male bluebirds.
Question: Will they act aggressively toward birds of a different species?
Researchers can place a model of a different bird near the nest to answer the question.

35. Simply put: The simplest explanation is usually the correct one.
What is Occam's Razor?
Ockham's Razor (Occam is the latinized and more common spelling) is a principle proposed by William Ockahm in the 15th century.
The original principle stated "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate" which translates as "entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily"
Simply put:  The simplest explanation is usually the correct one.