30 jan

LifeLifeSciencesSciences

AgendaAgenda

Return of HW & feedbackIntroduction to Module BThe Scientific Method Comprehension

Timed practiceVocabulary

David Porter Unit 4Grammar

The Passive Voice

NRW (Huckabee) Feedback

Some PointersSome Pointers

Whatever , …Whatever the case may be, …

Missing articlesE.g. the, a, an

Explain fully (don’t let readers connect points for themselves)E.g. The teaching pace is no longer

adjusted to suit the needs of the average but becomes more flexible to suit the needsof the individual.

Some PointersSome Pointers

Ensure a clear division between summary & responseIn my opinionAfter reading the article

Don’t write your opinion as factsIn my opinionI feel that / I believe / I think

Use hedging wordsE.g. “may”, “if”

What’s moreWhat is more

Most ImportantlyMost Importantly

What’s the purpose of the articleheading/title gives the clueExamples are examples. They are not

points. Look for salient points.

Introduction to Module B

The Scientific Method

1. Give the meaning of the words

Collectively and over timeAs a cohort across generations

Non-arbitraryNot randomly but purposefully, educated guess

Group of phenomenaA collection of happenings/observations

ContradictOppose, challenge, go against

Intricately associatedClosely involved with

2. Explain the rationale behind the “scientific method” in your own words.

It is a means of making sure scientific hypotheses and discoveries are made in a systematic and standardised manner which are free from idiosyncratic or arbitrary judgments of individual scientists.

3. What are four steps of scientific theory?

Using our eyes or senses to make observations or deductions on what we see before us in nature,

Formulating or thinking of a hypothesis or a scientific hunch based on observable data,

Confirming that the hunch is correct by applying it to predictions of other occurrences or by research such as experimentation; and

Seeing if the experiments may be replicated in other applications.

4. What does the writer mean by the phrase “experimental science”?

He means that this knowledge is derived from having conducted various means, i.e. experiments and other controlled situations.

Chemistry, biology, medicine, biochemistry, engineering

5. Why is it that “experiment is supreme”?

The ability to test a hypothesis out by experiment is said to be “supreme” or of paramount importance because if it cannot be tested thus, the hypothesis, in general, cannot be confirmed as being true.

6. Is an error a bad thing?

No, an error is not necessarily a bad thing as an error can also disprove a hypothesis.

However, if an error is due to a design flaw in logic or by excluding data erroneously then it would be a bad thing as that might pose a set- back to a discovery being made.

Errors nevertheless have to be minimised and there are standard operating procedures for doing so.

7. What are the 3 common mistakes?

The three commonest mistakes areto accept a hypothesis without proof,to be biased in data selection in order to

prove or disprove a hypothesis; andto exclude or dismiss as a design or

experimental quirk any hitherto unexpected finding rather than investigating it properly.

8. What is the difference between a hypothesis, a model and a law? A hypothesis is an educated hunch or guess that

there are definite reasons or explanation for a certain observable fact.

A model is used when a hypothesis can be used to explain some other events but not all events related to the topic being investigated.

However, a law is used when a hypothesis or a group of hypotheses are pretty well proven and stable and can be tested repeatedly and reliably.

In short, the three terms appear to be in some sort of continuum of what makes scientific truth.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

David Porter Unit 4 In groups, complete the exercise that has

been assigned to you.

Vocabulary Sheet 4 p.22Work out the meanings of the words in the

list.

Vocabulary Sheet 4 p.22

Phenomenon/phenomenaAn occurrence, circumstance, or fact that

is perceptible by the senses. Physics An observable event.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

Hypothesis/hypothesesA tentative explanation for an observation,

phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.

Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation; an assumption.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

TheoryA set of statements or principles devised

to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

An assumption based on limited information or knowledge.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

TheoremAn idea that has been demonstrated as

true or is assumed to be so demonstrable.Mathematics A proposition that has been

or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions.• Pythagoras' theorem

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

SuperimposeTo lay or place (something) on or over

something else.To add as a distinct feature, element, or

quality.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

EliminateTo get rid of; remove. To leave out or omit from consideration;

reject.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

ExterminateTo get rid of by destroying completely.

Eradicate To get rid of as if by tearing up by the

roots.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

Embodies the principleTo represent in bodily or material form the

basic truth.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

High proportionA part considered in relation to the whole. High ratio.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

InduceTo infer by inductive reasoning.

Inductive reasoning - reasoning from detailed facts to general principles.

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Vocabulary Sheet 4

DeduceTo reach (a conclusion) by reasoning. To infer from a general principle; reason

deductively.

Deductive reasoning - reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect).

Source: thefreedictionary.com

Grammar

The Passive Voice

Someone locks the office every morning.The office is locked every morning.

Someone has invited Sarah to the party.Sarah has been invited to the party.

We use the passive when we are not interested in who or what does something

The factory was painted during the war.Sarah has been invited to the party.

I made a mistake.A mistake was made.

We also use the passive when we do not want to say who or what does something

Compare

We form passive verbs with the different tenses of bebe (e.g. is, was, is being, have been) + past participle.