Scientific Methods Science in Practice What is Science

Scientific Methods Science in Practice

What is Science? Write a paragraph to complete 1 of the following statements: (5 mins) 1. 2. 3. I have previously studied science and some of the main ideas I remember are… I have come across science topics in the media and the main things about it are… I have learned through conducting science that it has to include…

What is Science? Process l A way to answer questions l Accumulation of evidence that increases the level of confidence in our ideas l l Scientific Methods – the important and basic features all scientific practice

Science is… Systematic l Gathering knowledge / evidence l Involves reasoning: l – Induction or Deduction Organized into testable laws (theories) l Ideas that can be replicated by others l An open exchange of data and methods l

Two Sciences l Pure Science – Basic research – – l Applied Science – Technology – – – l Research done to gain knowledge Explain How and Why things happen Research has applications Addresses needs or problems in society Impacts human lives Science cannot answer all questions or solve all problems.

1. What is being tested in this experiment? 2. How could you improve the setup? Food No Food

Good Science l l Hypotheses that are repeatedly tested and supported – Theories How science is evaluated – Primary literature l Peer-reviewed – Secondary literature l Subset of the primary literature l Interpreted l Affected by editorial decisions

Predictions A guess of what will happen l Based on what has happened l – l Scientists use predictions to guide and organize research - Hypothesis. Based on chance – The likelihood something will happen.

Scientific Methods Steps used in the practice of science l Observations l Questioning l Hypothesis l Testing l Conclusions

Scientific Methods Step 1: Observations – – Watching and Taking Note Specific events

Scientific Methods Step 2: Questioning – – A problem or gap in knowledge Limited and accessible

Scientific Methods Step 3: Hypothesis – – A testable, testable falsifiable statement Answers problem question

Scientific Methods Step 4: Testing Design Experiment – Collect Data Experiment: Situations designed to assess specific ideas – – – Manipulated situations » Controlled experiments Careful observations » Naturalistic experiments

Scientific Methods Step 5: Conclusions l Summarize results in data – l Information that can be used to evaluate hypotheses Analyze the data – – Careful review of the results Do they support your hypothesis? Do they reject your hypothesis? Do they lead to more questions?

Controlled Experiments l l l Only one condition is changed at a time Compares a baseline to a manipulated group Involves two groups: – – Experimental Group – receives the treatment or experimental test Control Group – receives no experimental treatment or test

Experimental Variables Control: l Stay constant throughout all situations – If there are differences in different situations, it is NOT due to the controls

Experimental Variables Independent variable (IV): l The condition being tested Factor that affects the outcome – The investigator manipulates it – If you are controlling it, it’s the IV.

Experimental Variables Dependent variable (DV): l The condition being observed or measured – Changes in it result from changes in the independent variable. If you are observing it for change, you are not controlling it; it DEPENDS on something, so it is the DV.