1. Science A process, not just a set of facts
A way of learning about and understanding nature
Uncertainty arises because not everything that scientists study are they able to observe directly
There are no absolute facts or absolute laws governing science
In science we test, challenge and question ideas

2. Scientific Method
Much of the biological sciences deals with solving problems.
Problems can be ecological, environmental, health related, etc.
Scientists use a consistent series of steps (the scientific method) in order to answer questions about the natural world.

3. Scientific Method The scientific method is….
A logical and systematic approach or process to problem solving. 
An organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world.

4. Scientific Method The steps…… Define the Problem Research the Problem
State the Hypothesis
Perform Experiment
Collect ,Record, and
Analyze Data
Draw Conclusions
If needed, Do more investigation

5. What the scientific method looks like on paper…..

6. Scientific Method
What the scientific method looks like in real life…….

7. Scientific Method
Let’s break each of these steps down into their individual components:
Ask Question
Do Background
Research
Construct
Hypothesis
Think!
Try Again
Test with an
Experiment
Analyze Results
Draw Conclusion
Hypothesis is True
Hypothesis is False
or Partially True
Report Results

8. Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems
1.Observations and questions
2.Hypothesis
3.Experimental procedure
4.Record results
5.Draw conclusions

9. Scientific Method 1.Observations/Questions
What you see
Inferences are your logical interpretations of what you see.
Questions then arise…….
Why should I care?
Observe that plants near my neighbors yard grow bigger than the others in my yard.

10. Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems
Observations and questions
Hypothesis
Experimental procedure
Record results
Draw conclusions

11. Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems
Observations and questions
Hypothesis
Experimental procedure
Record results
Draw conclusions

12. Scientific Method
2.Hypothesis-scientific and testable explanation for observations
“If……then……”
If I put fertilizer on my plants, then they will grow bigger

13. Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems
Observations and questions
Hypothesis
Experimental procedure
Record results
Draw conclusions

14. Scientific Method
3.Experimental procedure- designed to test hypothesis
Split subjects you are testing into groups:
#1 Experimental Group-given the experimental factor or changed in some way. Contains the changed variable.
#2 Control Group-NOT changed. The “comparison group”
#3 Constants- other variables that remain the same in both groups.
Experimental Group
Fertilizer
Control Group
No Fertilizer

15. Scientific Method
Variable-factor in experiment that is subject to change.
Independent variable- factor in experiment that’s purposely independent(changed)—fertilizer
Dependant variable —factor that a scientist observes for measuring—plant height and ?
Only test ONE manipulated variable while having many constants.

16. Scientific Method Must be a controlled, reproducible procedure
Testing effects of
only ONE manipulated
variable
Other scientists
need to be able to
reproduce it and
find same results.

17. Experimental Set Up EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENTAL GROUP Difference is the
Independent variable
CONTROL
GROUP
Compare the
Dependent variable
Check the results
in time
Check the results
in time

18. Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems
Observations and questions
Hypothesis
Experimental procedure
Collect and record data
Draw conclusions

19. Scientific Method 4. Collect and record data Record data
Qualitative data -physical traits (qualities) that can be described
Quantitative data -measurements (quantities) that can be taken
Pictures, tables, graphs
Trends noticed

20. Scientific Method Results
Qualitative? Quantitative?
Experimental Group Control Group
fertilizer no fertilizer

21. Scientific Method Common measurement system
Metric system or (SI)- a measurement system used worldwide by scientists based on multiples of 10
Mass-grams (g)
Volume-liters (L)
Distance-meters (m)
Temperature- Kelvin (K) or Celsius (OC)

22. Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems
Observations and questions
Hypothesis
Experimental procedure
Record results
Draw conclusions

23. Scientific Method 5.Conclusions
Hypothesis is either supported or rejected. NEVER “PROVEN!”
If supported further testing
If rejected hypothesis changed and tested again
Can be partly true
Findings always useful!!!

24. Communicate Results
Results of experiments are communicated formally in written reports published in scientific journals.
Other scientists can analyze the design and conclusions or repeat the experiment themselves.
Repeatability is a good check on correctness of scientific conclusions.