Chapter 1.3 Science as a Process

Chapter 1.3Science as a ProcessThe Scientific MethodHow exactly did someone discover bacteria?How do we know what we breathe?Why do scientists think that the universe started with a bang?

Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodThe scientific method is an organized approach to learn how the natural world worksIt is a system that allows for logical process It gives a framework to people who wish to discover, question or solve

The Scientific MethodObserveHypothesisExperimentAnalyze resultsDraw conclusions

ObservingOften considered the first step in the scientific methodObservations are bits of knowledge that are gathered from the outside world

ObservingObservations can be made anywhere by anybodyHowever scientists often use instruments to help them record their observations

Example ExperimentObservation:

There seem to be more gnats buzzing around my head when I use Head and Shoulders

HypothesisA hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observable phenomenonIn science a hypothesis is an idea that is backed by previous knowledge and data

HypothesisIt is very important for a hypothesis to be testableAn experiment should be able to prove or falsify a hypothesis

Example ExperimentObservation:There seem to be more gnats buzzing around my head when I use Head and Shoulders

Hypothesis:If I used Head and Shoulders then gnats will be attracted to my hair

ExperimentExperiments are set up to test specific variablesThese variables are the only things that should be tested in experimentsExperiments that test multiple variables will not get clear results

ExperimentWhen conducting an experiment, scientists collect and record dataOnce the experiment is completed scientists review the data

Example ExperimentDesigning an Experiment:We will expose gnats to the same human after he has washed his hair with Head and Shoulders and after no shampoo. The amount of gnats attracted to the hair will be recorded as dataAnalyzing ResultsOnce data has been gathered it can be reviewed The data has to be looked at without bias in order to get a fair assessment at what is going onIt often helps to compare the results of your experiment to other experiments of the same type

Example ExperimentAnalyzing Results:

15 gnats of 100 were attracted to the hair when using Head and Shoulders

45 gnats of 100 were attracted to the hair when using no shampooDrawing ConclusionsOnce the data has been analyzed, conclusions can be drawn from itThese conclusions can be then compared back to your hypothesisThey can prove or falsify your hypothesisHaving your hypothesis falsified does not make it a bad experiement

Example ExperimentDrawing Conclusions:

Since more gnats were attracted to the person with no shampoo, Heads and Shoulders does not attract gnats.