1. “The Process of Science”
Scientific Method:
“The Process of Science”

2. SCIENCE is a method of investigation, based on : - observation
- testing of hypothesis
- includes measurement and experimentation
- theory building
there are clear rock layers in the Grand Canyon

3. what observations can be made
what observations can be made? what questions do these observations lead to?
(picture from Grand Canyon national park)

4. observations must be objective, not subjective
- the opinion of the observer shouldn’t affect observations that are made
Great Sand Dunes National Park

5. a hypothesis is an educated guess
- can be tested by :
- measurement
- experimentation
-> dependent variable - variable that that is affected
->independent variable - variable that is controlled

6. the results of experimentation and measurement lead to theory building
a theory is a tested scientific concept that explains natural occurrences
- an example is the Cell Theory
cells make up all living things, cells of human blood are clear in this image
All living things are made of cells, all cells come from preexisting cells, cells are the basic building blocks of life

7. Communication is necessary in science
- scientific findings must be communicated to other scientists
- other scientists must be able to :
- repeat the work and get the same result
- critically analyze the work
- use the results in their work
journal of invertebrate biology cover

8. ethical considerations limit experiments that can be done in science
- is it ethical?
is the same question as
- is it right?

9. guidelines for experiments that involve humans include :
informed consent - subjects should know that they are participating in an experiment
subjects should not be at an increased risk of harm from their participation

10. Case Study : Tuskegee Study of Syphilis
399 men with syphilis were recruited and told that they would be given a new treatment for syphilis
instead, they were not treated at all and just observed to see how the disease would progress untreated
study lasted from
in 1947 penicillin was shown to be effective in treating syphilis but was not given to the infected men

11. 28 of the men died directly of syphilis
100 died of related complications
many of their wives and children were infected
syphilis bacteria, sites of infection

12. guidelines for experiments that involve animals include :
lawful acquisition of animals
animals should be kept in humane conditions
pain during experiments should be minimized
Rat hippocampal neurons on silicon pillar

13. scientific knowledge changes as new evidence is found
Tyrannosaurus rex was a scavenger, not a predator, according to new evidence
new skeletons
new technology to look at old skeletons

15. personal beliefs must be put aside by scientists
conclusions must be drawn from available evidence only
- Dr. John Horner : “I don’t care if T. rex was a scavenger or a predator!”
- objectivity is necessary for good science to be done

16. most lab safety rules are common sense :
dispose of broken glass properly
always tell the teacher about a problem
tie long hair back, no flowing sleeves
use fume hood for chemicals that give off dangerous gases
wear closed-toe shoes
pour acids into other solutions (in case of splashing)
dispose of waste materials properly
waft, don’t sniff