2. All Types of Biotech Workplaces use the “Scientific Method”
The Scientific Method is a collective term for the techniques that scientific researchers use to provide data and gather evidence to answer scientific questions. The following is one approach:
Observe-Observing a scientific phenomenon increases curiosity.
Formulate a scientific question-The question must be testable*.

3. “Scientific Method”
Develop a hypothesis-Predict the results of experimentation based on past research/experience.
Plan an experiment-Design a controlled experiment with measurable data.
Conduct experiments-Do multiple replications of the experiment. (record data)
Analyze data and report results-Analyze data in light of expected results. Report final results in notebooks/ scientific journals/ scientific meetings.

4. Scientific Method 1. Observation: use senses
2. Gather Data from Observations
Qualitative: descriptions
(ex: red hair)
Quantitative: numbers
(ex: plant height= 32cm) or
3. Formulate a question then make a Hypothesis using Prior Knowledge Data
4. Test Hypothesis by Observation & Controlled Experiment
5. Record & Analyze the Data (= charts & graphs, etc.)
6. Form a Conclusion based on Evidence then Communicate to others

6. SCIENCE AS A PROCESS 1) Scientific method
2) Hypothesis Based (deductive reasoning vs. Inductive reasoning?) Know the difference between both
“If….and…then…”
If: hypothesis
And: experiment
Then: predicted result
3) Variables
IDV (independent variable): what you change in order to test your hypothesis (x-axis)
DV (dependent variable): what you measure (data collected) (y-axis)
Controlled variables: everything that stays the same
4) Experimental group vs. control group

7. Controlled Experiment
Two groups
Control Group: the group that the scientist uses as a base line for comparison.
The scientist does NOTHING to this group
Used as a reference to ensure results are not due to chance
Experimental Group: the group in the experiment that gets the change.
independent variable is applied to this group!
Example- Hypothesis to Test: (marine science example)
If sea stars are present, the number of mussels will decrease.
Control Group
Experimental Group X
Sea star present
No sea stars

9. Replicated ( reproducibility)- the experiment should be able to be conducted by an
Outside party and they should get the same results
Repeatable – the same observer or researcher runs his or her experiment again to make
Sure they have gotten the same results using the same equipment