1. Scientific Skills 1. Observation – gather info in an orderly way.
2. Collect data
Quantitative – numbers
Qualitative – descriptive
3. Data allows us to make inferences – interpreting our data using our prior knowledge.
4. Hypothesis – An explanation for a set of observations. “educated guess” 

2. Observation Test your observation skills…

3. 1-2 How scientists work Designing an experiment Ask a question
Form a hypothesis (prediction & reason)
Set up a controlled experiment
manipulated – variable that is changed
responding – variable that reacts to the change
controlled – variables (need 2) that stay the same
Record and Analyze Results
Draw a conclusion
Publish/Repeat experiment

4. Science of the chocolate chip cookie
Discuss:
Design a way to experimentally find the “best” chocolate chip cookie.
What are your variables?

5. Testing yourself: The Ignoble Awards
For the following experiments, can you identify:
The manipulated variable?
The responding variable?
Controlled variables?

6. Validity vs. Reliability
Validity: How well a test measures what it is supposed to measure.
Something in the procedure you did
Reliability: How well you are able to get stable & consistent results.
“R” is for REPEAT.

7. Science of the chocolate chip cookie
Back to the chocolate chip cookie experiment.
How would you make it reliable?
How would you make it valid?

8. Constraints & Limitations
Biology (and all sciences, really) seek solutions to real-world problems.
A constraint is a problem your real-world solution might encounter.
A limitation is why that constraint is limiting you.

9. Constraints & Limitations: Ex 1
Some bears are getting into trash cans at campgrounds near the forests. The park rangers plan to trap & relocate these bears to solve the problem of these bears getting into the trash. Describe constraints (other than cost) that park rangers could encounter when trapping/relocating the bears. Describe how each constraint is a limitation.

10. Constraints & Limitations: Ex 2
In Sierra Leone, the government is imposing a three-day lockdown between September as a solution to prevent the spread of Ebola “once and for all.”
What are some constraints of this solution?
Describe how each constraint is a limitation on the solution.

11. Constraints & Limitations: Ex 3
In the United State, a new and experimental vaccine was administered as a solution to treat two American doctors sickened with Ebola.
What are some constraints of this solution?
Describe how each constraint is a limitation on the solution.