1. Scientific Method
How Scientists Work

2. Objectives Understand how scientific work within Biology
Review the definition of the scientific method
Understand the process for the scientific method through the lens of Biology

3. How Scientists Work: Solving the Problems
Much of biology deals with solving problems
These problems can be environmental, ecological, health related, etc.
No matter what types of problems are being studied, scientists use the same problem-solving steps called…
The Scientific Method

4. Scientific Method Definition
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.

5. Scientific Method Listing the Steps
Make an Observation
Define the Problem
Research the Problem
State the Hypothesis
Experiment to test Hypothesis
Collect and Record Data
Analyze Data
Draw Conclusions
Determine Limitations
Report Results
If needed, Do more investigation

6. Scientific Method An Overview Question Research Hypothesis Procedure/
First
What does the scientist want
to learn more about?
Then
Research
Gathering of information
Scientific Method
An Overview
Next
Hypothesis
An “Educated” guess of an
answer to the question
Then
Procedure/
Method
Written and carefully
followed step-by-step
experiment designed to test
the hypothesis
Next
Data
Information collected during
the experiment
And
And
Observations
Written description of what
was noticed during the
experiment
Finally
Conclusion
Was the hypothesis correct
or incorrect?

7. S C I E N T I F I C O V E R I W M E T H O D
Form a
Hypothesis
Make
Observations
Define / Identify
the Problem
Test Hypothesis
Perform Experiments
New
Experiments
Do Experiments
and Observations
Support Hypothesis?
YES
Organize and
Analyze Data
Draw Valid
Conclusions NO
Communicate
Results
Faulty
Experiments?
S C I E N T I F I C
Here is another example of how the steps may go….
Even though we show the scientific method as a series of steps, keep in mind that new information or thinking might cause a scientist to back up and repeat steps at any point during the process. O V E R I W M E T H O D

8. 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

9. Special Note
We will review some steps today and the remaining tomorrow---take good notes!

10. 1. Observing Make an observation See something unusual
As we all know, frogs have four legs.
Make an observation
See something unusual
Frogs with incorrect number of legs!
What’s up with these froggies?

11. 2. Questioning Recognize, state or define the problem
Must be in the form of a question
The obvious question is: 
What is causing these deformities?

12. 3. Researching Gather information related to the problem
Read, observe, measure, take samples, etc.
How frogs normally develop from eggs
The % of frogs with the deformities
Number of other species in the pond with deformities
Previous or new pollutants in the pond
Change in amount of UV (sunlight) exposure on eggs
Etc.

13. 4. Hypothesizing A hypothesis is:
An educated guess, trial answer, possible solution, prediction
Must be a statement
Must be testable or measurable
Is based on your research and previous experience

14. Hypothesizing
List possible explanations (alternative hypotheses) based on your previous experience (what you already know);  and on research you have done  
all of the hypotheses must be testable

15. 5. Experimenting Testing the hypothesis
Pick the hypothesis that makes the most sense and is easy to test
Then design a controlled experiment

16. Experimenting
Go to the web site for Hartwick College to see the experiments and how the scientific method was actually used to find out the cause of recently found frog deformities.

17. State a hypothesis for the frog problem.
Closing Question
State a hypothesis for the frog problem.

18. Answer to Closing Question
Answers will vary.