From the Solutions Lab
• What do you observe? Look for patterns in the “data.”
• What do you infer each solution to be?
• What evidence do you have for your inference?
• How confident are you in your answer?
• What would make you more sure?
How is what you were doing like science?
• Based on evidence/data (empirical)• You made inferences from
observations• Your ideas are never 100% sure
and could change with more data (tentative)
• You worked with others (collaborative)
• Your ideas were checked by each other (peer review)
• You used your background knowledge to guide your inferences (subjective)
Nature of Science
1. Empirical – based on data, testable
2. Tentativeness – subject to change, never certain, 100%
3. Observation vs. Inference – inferences make sense of observations, consistent with patterns in data
4. Subjectivity – each person’s background knowledge & scientific conceptual framework impact how they view data and even their observations
5. Collaborative – scientists work with each other, within individual labs as well as by building on each other’s findings throughout the world
6. Peer Reviewed – scientists make their findings public (presentations or publications) and findings are reviewed by other scientists
Science is limited – it can only address questions about things that can be observed.
What Is Science?
• Latin word scientia = knowledge
• Search for knowledge
• Something is science if it can be experimentally tested over and over
• It is objective and unbiased
Limitations of Science
• Science cannot answer questions regarding judgment
• Questions involving vague or intangible concepts (superstitions, “bad luck”) cannot be answered by science
• Many times, scientific experiments don’t yield answers but lead to more questions.
Types of Science
• Pure science- done to learn more and gain knowledge (for the sake of knowing)– Ex. Experiment used to learn how a new drug
works
• Applied science- puts knowledge to use– Ex. Using the drug to treat an illness
Branches of Science
• Biology
• Zoology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Astronomy
• Botany
• Hydrology
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• many many more!
How Do We Study Science?
• Make an initial observation
• Formulate a hypothesis
• Design an experiment
• Test hypothesis (conduct experiment)
• Collect Data
• Analyze Data
• Draw conclusions
• Communicate findings
Initial Observation
• Curiosity is the beginning of experimentation
• The scientific method generally begins with an unexplained observation about nature.
• Observations lead to questions
Forming A Hypothesis
• Possible answer to a scientific question
• TESTABLE!
• From the hypothesis made, scientists can make predictions that logically follow the hypothesis that was made
Experiment Design
• Plan out how you will test your hypothesis
• Performing the Experiment:– Designate a control group– Designate an experimental group
• Independent Variable• Dependent Variable
Performing an Experiment
• Control: standard to which you measure experimental results to
• Independent Variable: factor that is being tested
• Dependent Variable: responding variable (“depends” on the independent variable)
• Constant: factor(s) that remain the same in an experiment.
Collecting & Analyzing Data
• Quantitative Data vs. Qualitative Data– Quantitative: measurements (numbers)
• Must determine if results are reliable (errors?)• Compare results
– Charts/Tables– Graphs (Bar graphs, Line graphs, Pie Charts)
– Qualitative: descriptions • Ex.: descriptions of behavior, color changes, etc.
Drawing Conclusions
• Biologists analyze their tables, graphs & charts to determine if a hypothesis is supported or not
• Scientists make inferences from data– Inference: conclusion made on the basis of
facts and previous knowledge rather than on direct observations
• Scientists communicate their findings