1. The World of Life Science
Chapter 1
The World of
Life Science

3. III. How do Scientists work?
A. Scientific Method

4. Scientists systematically investigate the natural world by using the scientific method.

5. Scientific Method
An organized way of finding a workable solution to a problem.

6. A. The Scientific Method
1. Define the Problem
must be specific
must fall within the limits of science
observable, measureable, and repeatable.
conduct background research

7. A. The Scientific Method
2. Form a hypothesis
- an educated guess
- should be measurable
- guides the testing of the hypothesis

8. Hypothesis
A simple, testable statement about the answer to a problem.

9. A. The Scientific Method
3. Test the hypothesis
- collecting the data to answer the problem
Experiment or survey
Observe and record data

10. Data
The information gathered by means of observations.

11. A. The Scientific Method
3. Test the hypothesis
ways to collect data
survey

12. Survey
Obtaining data by observing many conditions that already exist.

13. A. The Scientific Method
3. Test the hypothesis
ways to collect data
survey
experimentation

14. Experimentation
Controlling all the variables of two or more groups

15. Variables
Factors or conditions that can vary within an experiment.

16. A. The Scientific Method
3. Test the hypothesis
Experimental variable: the one factor that is changed
Experimental groups: the groups that experience the experimental variable

17. A. The Scientific Method
3. Test the hypothesis
Control group: lacks the experimental variable
All of the groups should have the same variables, with the experimental variable being the only difference.

18. A. The Scientific Method
4. Classify and analyze the data

19. Classifying
Arranging the data so that relationships can be seen.

20. A. The Scientific Method
4. Classify and analyze the data
This can be accomplished with charts, tables, and graphs

21. Analyzing
Looking at the arrangement of the data to decide whether the data supports the hypothesis.

22. A. The Scientific Method
4. Classify and analyze the data
This can be accomplished with charts, tables, and graphs
Did the data “support” the hyposthesis?

23. Support vs. Prove
Always use the term “support” “Prove” implies 100% true

24. A. The Scientific Method
5. Choose and verify the answer
Choose a workable answer; meaning it can be used.

25. A. The Scientific Method
5. Choose and verify the answer
Verify your workable answer.

26. Verify
Obtaining more data through repeated experiments or surveys.

27. A. The Scientific Method
5. Choose and verify the answer
Verify your workable answer.
Repeated experiments or surveys
More than one specimen in each group

28. A. The Scientific Method
6. Predict outcomes -Answers from one experiment may help in other areas