1 2 How Scientists Work Science is based

1 -2 How Scientists Work • Science is based on careful observations – Shared observations help solve scientific puzzles

1 -2 How Scientists Work • Scientific Method – Collecting Observations • An observation is the act of perceiving a natural occurrence that causes someone to pose a question – Asking a Question – Form a hypothesis • A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for the way a particular aspect of the natural world functions

1 -2 How Scientists Work • Scientific Method – Design an Experiment • A controlled experiment compares an experimental group and a control group and only has one variable • The control group provides a normal standard against which the biologist can compare results of the experimental group. • The experimental group is identical to the control group except for one factor • The experimenter manipulates the independent variable. • The experimenter measures the dependent variable because it is affected by the independent variable

1 -2 How Scientists Work • Scientific Method – Collect and Analyze Data • Scientists analyze data to draw conclusions about the experiment performed. – Form a Conclusion • An inference is a conclusion made on the basis of facts and previous knowledge rather than on direct observations – Repeat

1 -2 How Scientists Work • Applying Results and Building Models – Scientists often apply their findings about the natural world to solve practical problems. – A theory is a set of related hypotheses confirmed to be true many times, and it can explain a great amount of data

1 -2 How Scientists Work • Communicating Ideas – Publishing a Paper • Scientists submit research papers to scientific journals for publication. • In peer review, the editors of a journal will send submitted papers out to experts in the field who anonymously read and critique the paper