Scientific Method Overview

Study Notes

Scientific Method

Science is a systematic approach to understanding the natural world.
It involves observing, questioning, hypothesizing, testing, and concluding.
The scientific method is a cyclical process: observations lead to questions, questions lead to hypotheses, hypotheses lead to predictions, predictions lead to experiments, and experiments lead to conclusions.
Observations are the starting point for scientific inquiry.
These observations can be qualitative (descriptive) or quantitative (numerical).
A hypothesis is a testable explanation for an observation or a set of observations.
A hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning it can be proved wrong through experimentation.
An experiment is a controlled procedure that tests a hypothesis.
Independent variables are factors that are manipulated or changed by the researcher.
Dependent variables are factors that are measured by the researcher.
Constants are variables that are kept the same in an experiment to ensure that the results are due only to the independent variable.
Data are the results of an experiment.
Data can be analyzed statistically to determine if there is a significant relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Conclusions are interpretations of the experimental results.
Conclusions may support or reject a hypothesis.

Scientific Disciplines

Science is vast and encompasses many different disciplines.
Biological sciences study living organisms.
Physical sciences study non-living matter and energy.
Earth sciences study the Earth and its processes.
Chemical sciences examine the structure, properties, and behavior of matter.
Astronomy explores the universe and its contents.
Branches of science often overlap and share common methodologies.

Scientific Theories & Laws

A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
Theories are broad explanations that tie together many individual observations.
Examples include the theory of evolution and the theory of relativity.
Scientific laws describe a relationship or regularity that is observed to occur in nature.
Laws are concise descriptions of a fundamental principle.
Examples include the law of gravity and the laws of thermodynamics.
Theories explain how laws work, not just how.

Scientific Progress

Scientific knowledge is constantly evolving and expanding.
New discoveries and technologies allow for more sophisticated testing and observation.
Scientific understanding often progresses through refining or modifying existing theories in response to newer evidence.

Scientific Attitudes & Practices

Objectivity and skepticism are crucial in science.
Scientists must be willing to accept evidence that contradicts their preconceived notions.
Reproducibility is essential in science. Experiments should be repeatable by other scientists to verify findings.
Peer review involves having scientific work critically reviewed by other experts in the field before publication.

Ethics in Science

Ethical considerations are essential in scientific research.
Scientists should conduct research ethically and honestly.
Research subjects must be protected from harm.
Scientific data should be accurately reported and not manipulated.
Scientific misconduct, such as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, is unacceptable.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of the scientific method, a systematic approach to understanding the natural world. This quiz covers key processes such as observation, hypothesis formulation, and experimentation, highlighting the cyclical nature of scientific inquiry.