1. Process of the Scientific Method

2. Learning Objectives - Biology
Definition of the term Biology?
Name and explain at least three areas of study incorporated in Biology?

3. Definition for Biology
BIOLOGY is the study of living things

4. Biology has many different areas of study
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Botany
Ecology
Genetics
Microbiology
Physiology
Zoology

5. Anatomy
The study of the internal and external structure of plants and animals

6. Biochemistry
Mikael Haggstrom – Wikimedia Commons
The study of the chemical processes and products involved in metabolism

7. Botany
The study of plant structure, physiology, distribution and classification

8. Learning Objectives – Scientific Method
State the process of the Scientific Method
State the limitations of value of the Scientific Method
State some possible sources of errors

9. The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a way to solve a problem
This is the method on which all projects should be based.

10. The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method involves the following steps:
Making observations
Formulating a hypothesis
Designing a controlled experiment
Collecting and interpreting data
Forming a conclusion
Comparing the conclusion with existing knowledge
Reporting and publishing the results
Developing theories and principles

11. Steps in the scientific method
You observe something using your senses
Observation
You ask a question about what you observed. State it as a problem or question
Question .
Hypothesis:   a testable‚ tentative answer to a question
Hypothesis
You predict what you think the answer to your question might be.
Prediction
You design a way to test whether your hypothesis is correct or not.
Record and analyze data
Test
You do the experiment(s) using the method you came up with and record the results.
Results
You state whether your prediction was confirmed or not and try to explain your results.
Conclusions
Compare your findings to existing knowledge
Compare

12. Observation
You observe something using your senses or machines which are basically extensions of those senses.

13. Question You ask a question about what you observed.
State it as a problem or question.

14. Learning check
What are the steps in the Scientific Method?

15. Hypothesis Hypothesis: a testable‚ tentative answer to a question
  (hypo = under‚ beneath; thesis = an arranging)
You predict what you think the answer to your question might be. The hypothesis is a testable explanation for what was observed.
The scientist tries to explain what caused what was observed.

16. Experiment
You figure out a way to test whether your hypothesis is correct or not. The outcome must be measurable. (quantifiable)
Record and analyze data.

17. Result
You do the experiment(s) using the method you came up with and record the results.
You repeat the experiment to confirm your results.

18. Learning check
What is the next step?
The Conclusion

19. Conclusion
You state whether your prediction was confirmed or not and try to explain your results.

20. Compare
You compare your conclusion with existing
knowledge.

21. Finally You Report and Publish your results.
You Develop a theory or principle.

22. Need to know State the process of the Scientific Method
Explain the following:
Observation ■ Hypothesis
Design Experiment
Record & Analyze Data
Conclusions
Compare to Existing Knowledge,
Reporting ■ Theory ■ Principle

23. Limitations of the Scientific Method

24. The Scientific Method Is limited by the extent of our basic knowledge
Is limited by our ability to interpret the results
is limited to what can be observed with the five senses e.g., what existed prior to the Big Bang and the known universe is outside of the realm of science to investigate
is limited by the changes in the natural world

25. Limitations of the Scientific Method
tells us “how” a process works, not “why” e.g., does not really explain why the Universe exists
inability to answer value-based questions involving “should”
may be affected by the emotional involvement of investigator
may be affected by time pressure for results

26. Limitations of the Scientific Method
inability to capture the full richness and complexities of the participants
limitations of our measurement instruments
ethical and legal responsibilities
Religious beliefs
we can never be sure all untested variables are controlled

27. Limitations of the Scientific Method
conclusions based on the experimental data must remain tentative
human personality traits are part of “real science”
scientists sometimes make mistakes
accidents, lucky guesses, intellectual powers, and controversies with others contribute strongly to scientific advances

28. Need to know
State the limitations of value of the Scientific Method

29. Learning objectives Experimentation
Can you state about eight principles of experimentation?
Random Selection
Replicaton
Double-Blind Testing
Sources of errors
Planning & Design
Safety Procedure
Control Experiment
Sample Size

30. (Hint: I change the Independent variable)
What is an experiment?
1. An experiment is a controlled test.
2. Only one variable should be changed at a time.
a. Independent variable – changed by the experimenter.
(Hint: I change the Independent variable)
b. Dependent variable (Responding) – the effect.

31. What is an experiment? 3. Constants do not change.
4. Controlled variables are those which could change, but are not allowed to.
5. Two parts to an experiment:
a. Control group – normal conditions.
b. Experimental group(s) – variables are changed.
6. Prediction is the goal of experiments.

32. How to organise an experiment OR The Principles of Experimentation
Use Double-blind testing
Change one factor at a time
Measure changes
Analyze the results
State possible sources of error
Repeat the experiment
Plan and design the experiment
Be aware of Safety procedures
Select organisms at random
Use a large enough sample size
Use a control group

33. Learning check What is an experiment?
It is a controlled test where only one variable is changed at a time.

34. An example of an experiment
Observation: It has been suggested that large daily doses of Vitamin C protect against the common cold virus.
Hypothesis: Vitamin C protects against the common cold virus

35. An example of an experiment
Experiment design: Ten adult males in their mid twenties who are friends of the investigator were chosen to test the possible value of vitamin C.
5 of them were given 3000mg of vitamin C a day; the other 5 were given a placebo.
Which is the control group?
Which is the experimental group?
Is this a good experiment?

36. Problems with experiment design
All males
All mid twenties
All friends
Not a large enough sample

37. A Good Experiment Should Have only one variable
Use a large number of samples
Use random selection
Be repeated
Use double blind testing

38. Learning objectives Experimentations
Can you state about eight principles of experimentation?
Random Selection
Replicaton
Double-Blind Testing
Sources of errors
Planning & Design
Safety Procedure
Control Experiment
Sample Size

39. END