Lecture 1: Scientific Method

Lecture 1: The Scientific Method Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Put the steps of the Scientific Method in the appropriate order (Write steps in the boxes provided, starting at the top) Word Bank: Conclusion, Observation, Experiment/Test, Form a Testable Hypothesis, Ask a Question, Data An...

Lecture 1: The Scientific Method Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Put the steps of the Scientific Method in the appropriate order (Write steps in the boxes provided, starting at the top) Word Bank: Conclusion, Observation, Experiment/Test, Form a Testable Hypothesis, Ask a Question, Data Analysis, Do Background Research, Report Out Scientists -Scientists answer questions (What, how, why, where?) -Questions from basic chemistry to whole organisms -Four-year old children may ask 250-400 questions Scientists Answering Questions -How do scientists answer questions? That is a really good beginning question Answer: How Do Scientists Investigate Life? -Scientists need to obtain information (data) to ask and answer questions -Observe (read), feel, hear, taste, smell -Observation, so anything that cannot be observed is outside the realm of science How Do Scientists Investigate Life? -Scientists need to obtain information (data) to ask and answer questions -Observe (read), feel, hear, taste, smell Scientific Method Steps The scientific method (hypothesis– prediction method): Observe, Read, Smell Question Hypothesize Predict Test Hypotheses Hypothesis: a suggested explanation for an event which can be tested The Scientific Method: the “Broken” Toaster Example Observation: My toaster does not toast my bread. Question: Why doesn’t my toaster work? Hypothesis: There is something wrong with the electrical outlet Prediction: If something is wrong with the electrical outlet, then my toaster also won’t work Experiment: I plug my toaster into the outlet and my toaster worked The Scientific Method Observation: After two hours of class, I fall asleep. Question: Why do I fall asleep after two hours of class? Hypothesis: I am sleepy after two hours of class because I need to eat something Prediction: If I eat something after two hours of class, then I won’t be sleepy. Experiment: The next day of class, I will eat a toast after two hours class. I was sleepy after taking a break!!!!  Two Ways of Thinking: Induction -A scientist starts making a series of individual observations -Based on particular observations, the scientist formulates a question and a general conclusion (hypothesis) Particular observations: a marine biologist observed a sailfish, shark and a tuna and found that they all had gills. Question: Do all fish have gills? General conclusion (Hypothesis): All fish have gills  Two Ways of Thinking: Induction -A scientist starts making a series of individual observations Particular observations: a marine biologist observed a sailfish, shark and a tuna and found that they all had gills. Question: Do all fish have gills? General conclusion (Hypothesis): All fishes have gills Prediction: If it is a fish, then it should have gills Test prediction: Sample a different fish Hypothesis is fully supported Induction: Limits -The accuracy of the conclusion (hypothesis) is related to the amount and quality of particular observations Based on particular observations, the scientist formulates a question and a general conclusion (hypothesis) Particular observations: a marine biologist observed a sailfish, shark and a tuna and found that they all had gills. Question: Do all marine animals have gills? General conclusion (Hypothesis): All marine animals have gills Induction: Limits -The accuracy of the conclusion is related to the amount and quality of particular observations Particular observations: a marine biologist observed a sailfish, shark and a tuna and found that they all had gills. Question: Do all marine animals have gills? General conclusion (Hypothesis): All marine animals have gills Prediction: If it is a marine animal, then it should have gills Test prediction: Sample a different marine animal Hypothesis is not fully supported Two Ways of Thinking: Deduction General conclusion to make a specific conclusion -General conclusion (hypothesis) is the result of induction (based on particular observations) -General conclusion (hypothesis): All marine animals have gills -Specific conclusion (hypothesis): - ________ are marine animals, so they have gills. Two Ways of Thinking: Deduction Question: Do whales have gills? General conclusion (hypothesis): All marine animals have gills Specific conclusion (hypothesis): Whales are marine mammals, so they have gills Two Ways of Thinking: Deduction Question: Do whales have gills? General conclusion (hypothesis): All marine animals have gills Specific conclusion (hypothesis): Whales are marine mammals, so they have gills Prediction: Because whales are marine animals, they should have gills Test prediction: sample and observe a whale General and specific hypothesis were not fully supported Particular observations -All are marine -All are invertebrate Induction Are all marine organisms invertebrate? General Hypothesis All marine organisms are invertebrate Prediction: Because whales are marine animals, they are invertebrate Test prediction: Sample a different marine organism Hypothesis was not fully supported Particular observations -All are marine -All are invertebrate Sponge Anemone Sea Star Are all sponges, anemones, Induction and sea stars invertebrate? General Hypothesis All sponges, anemones, and sea stars are invertebrate Prediction: Cliona is a sponge so it is an invertebrate Test prediction Hypothesis was supported Particular observations -All are marine -All are colorful Sponge Anemone Sea Star Induction General Hypothesis All marine organisms are colorful Deduction Specific Hypothesis A jellyfish is a marine animal, so it is colorful Testing Particular observations -All are marine -All are colorful Sponge Anemone Sea Star Induction General Hypothesis Therefore All marine organisms are colorful General hypothesis Deduction was not supported A jellyfish is a marine animal so it is colorful Specific Hypothesis Testing was not supported White jellyfish  The Scientific Method: Marine Aquarium Induction: Observations to general conclusions Phenomenon (Observation): Each fish is always swimming Hypothesis: Fish need to swim in order to survive Prediction: If a particular fish is not swimming, then it will die Experiment: Immobilize a particular fish and see if it will survive