The Scientific Method and Anatomy

• Objectives include listing the six steps of the scientific method, understanding quantitative vs. qualitative data, understanding variables, describing control groups, analyzing experiment variables, interpreting graphs, and knowing hypothesis vs. theory vs. law.
• Anatomy involves learning the names and general functions of bodily structures.
• Physiology explores how these structures function, are regulated, and can change.
• Medical cadavers reveal the physical parts of the body.
• Understanding how the body's parts function and interact is a complex undertaking.
• Early medical tests were subjective and often random.
• Medical knowledge was frequently based on myths and superstitions.
• Doctors and scientists developed standardized testing methods for progress.
• An emphasis on accuracy and repeatability became vital for studying the human body.
• The scientific method is a standardized testing method still in use.
• A quick video introduces the ideas presented.
• The scientific method is a process used to answer questions, comprising six steps.
• The first step is observation of a problem.
• The second step is developing a question.
• The third step is creating a hypothesis.
• The fourth step is observation and experiment.
• The fifth step is analyzing results
• Results are repeated based on results of analysis
• The sixth step is sharing data.
• Scientific method steps can vary depending on the source.
• Steps 1 and 2 involve the observation of a problem and developing a question.
• Problems can be encountered daily, or have bigger impacts.
• All problems can be solved using the scientific method.
• It's important to be specific when defining what to explain or solve.
• Gather information about the problem using books, research journals, peers/experts, and experiences.
• There are two types of data that can be gathered in an experiment.
• Qualitative data is not measurable and opinion-based, like hair color.
• Quantitative data measures values and is expressed numerically, like age.
• Step 3 is developing a hypothesis based on gathered information and prior knowledge.
• A hypothesis is an educated guess or tentative answer to a problem.
• It usually takes the form of an "If...then" statement and includes reasoning.
• Step 4 is observation and experiment, creating an experiment to test the hypothesis.
• Experiments can be physical or observational.
• Detailed note-taking is crucial for the repeatability of the experiment.

Variables

• Experiments involve changing certain variables, like independent, dependent, and controlled variables.
• The independent variable is the one factor changed by the scientist between groups.
• Only one independent variable should be tested at a time.
• Changing more than one variable makes it difficult to determine the cause.
• Dependent variables are what the scientist observes to see how they respond to the independent variable.
• Dependent variables can be quantitative and qualitative.
• Controlled variables are quantities that the scientist wants to remain constant.
• Controlled variables are constant and unchanged during the investigation.
• The more controlled variables in an experiment, the better.
• A control group does not receive the independent variable change and is for comparison.
• An experimental group receives the independent variable change.
• Twins are commonly used in experiments due to their similarities.

Experiments with Humans

• Placebo effect is when a person is tricked into feeling a certain way.
• A "blind" test is when the person doesn't know which group they're in while being experimented on.
• Double-blind tests occur when both treatment groups and researchers are unaware of who is in the control or experiment groups.
• Positive control groups give expected positive results.
• Negative control groups give expected negative results.
• Positive and negative groups provide visuals and ensure experiment functionality.
• Step 5 involves reviewing the results to see what they mean, and how they relate to the hypothesis
• Graphic analysis is useful to show scope of the experiment
• Bar graphs compare numerical data.
• Pie charts compare percentage data.
• Line graphs compare data over time.

Reading Graphs

• Analyze an experiments by using graphs
• A graph must have a title
• Axes of a graph must be labelled
• It's important to check data to see if experiments are reliable
• News reports should be checked for data accuracy
• In step 5 an important question to ask is: was the hypothesis correct or not?
• You should also ask: Why did the results comes out this way?
• Another question to ask is: Should you alter your experiment or hypothesis
• Factors that can be made better: larger sample sizes; using more quantitative variables; more controlled/dependent variables.
• The more you test, the less likely results are due to chance.
• Using only quantitative variables allows for easier definition of change
• More controlled variables means surer results, and lessened likelihood of results coming from an unknown factor.
• Call verification occurs when an experiments are repeated and made sure they are not due to human error
• A correlation is a trend in the data
• Causation means one variable had a direct correlation on the other
• If a hypothesis was not true, the process should be restarted
• Share data, as it is key
• Scientists share their information in scientific journals
• A hypothesis for an experiment is an educated guess in an if then format
• If a hypothesis is correct it will be put through verification
• If an experiment is not proven incorrect, it may become a scientific theory
• A scientific theory is a detailed explanation for why a natural phenomenon occurs
• Scientific theories withstand rigorous scrutiny and are a comprehensive form of scientific knowledge
• Despite rigorous testing, theories are yet to be proven incorrect
• They are not guesses but reliable accounts of the real world.
• An example of a scientific theory is plate tectonics and earthquakes
• A scientific law is a statement based on repeated observation describing how aspects of the universe work
• It describes how a phenomenon works but not why it exists.
• It is a misconception that laws turn into theories
• Theories are used to explain different things
• An example of a scientific law is gravity and how it makes balls fly through the air