Transcript Species Interactions

The Scientific Method
The Inquiry Process
Biology 2014
Some Examples of Science
Childbed Fever Case Study
 A quick experiment (bbt)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7sSuh
Q1_24
Semmelweis, part 1:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6FjtpdePA&list=UUcU30z0_rIGAerTkLaxpct
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Steps of the Scientific Method
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6.
Problem
Background
Hypothesis
Experiment
Analysis
Conclusion
Steps of the Scientific Method
1.
Problem
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Get curious!
Create a question
Identify the variables (1 manipulated, 1
responding & 3+ controlled)
TESTABLE QUESTION:
 How does changing the ____MV____
affect the ____ RV ____?
Variables
Manipulated variable (aka independent
variable): what is changed on purpose
 Responding variable (aka dependent
variable): the measured response
 Controlled variables: what stays the
same throughout the experiment
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This should include any factor that is not the
MV or RV
Steps of the Scientific Method
2.
Background
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Research what is known about any aspect
of the problem
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Science behind the subject
How to carry out procedures
Finding out what experiments have already
been conducted and their results
Steps of the Scientific Method
3.
Hypothesis
If = mv, then = what would happen to the
rv, because = your rationale.
 If the ____MV____ increases
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then the ____ RV ____ will increase /
decrease / stay the same
because ___give your reasoning here___.
Steps of the Scientific Method
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Experiment
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Materials & Methods (mv)
Methods to prevent errors & minimize
doubt (cvs)
Collect data (rv)
Steps of the Scientific Method
5.
Analysis
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Report data
Determine high and low values
Organize data in a graph
Discuss errors
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How did they impact the results
How could those errors be minimized in the
future?
Steps of the Scientific Method
6.
Conclusion
Restate problem (direct or paraphrase)
Support or reject hypothesis
Support Statement with Evidence
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Make a relationship statement between the MV and the
RV… This is where you ANSWER THE testable
QUESTION!!!
Refer to key data (use at least two items for comparison)
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Discuss errors
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How did they impact the results
How could those errors be minimized in the future?
Next steps & application
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How can these findings be applied to real life?
What question would you be curious to test next?
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Semmelweis, part 2:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T73PYNyyeiI
Feynman’s explanation of the scientific
method:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYPapE-3FRw
Observation vs. Inference
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What is the difference between an
observation and an inference?
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When should you document
observations in a lab write-up compared
to an inference?
Observation vs. Inference
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Observations are made using your 5 senses
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DATA
Examples: a red shirt, a flat & smooth surface,
2:20pm
Inferences are conclusions that you make,
based on your observations
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ANALYSIS  CONCLUSION
Examples: a person likes red because they are
wearing a red shirt; a toy car will run smoothly
because it is on a flat & smooth surface; school is
out because it is 2:20pm
Two Types of Observations
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Quantitative observations: results are
measureable and are made with
instruments such as rulers, balances,
graduated cylinders, beakers, and
thermometers. Examples:
100°C
 17 people
 54 grapes
 9.65 cm
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Two Types of Observations
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Qualitative observations: results are
made by using your senses (sight, smell,
touch, taste and hearing). Examples:
The flame is blue
 It smells like lemon
 It feels rough
 That was a soft thud
 It tastes sweet
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Practice!!!
Indicate whether the following observations are quantitative or
qualitative.
1. It is light green in color.
2. It taste sour.
3. One leaf is 9 cm long.
4. It makes a loud pop sound.
5. The mass of the computer is 1 1/2 kg.
6. It smells sweet.
7. The temperature of the room increases by 8 degrees C.
8. It gets darker over a period of time.
9. The flower clusters in 3 blooms.
10. The plant is short.
11. Leaves are brittle.
12. The veins are 3 mm wide.
Variables
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Manipulated:
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Variations of m.v. (at least 4)
Responding:
Controlled:
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2.
3.
An Issue with Control
Same word, two different concepts…
 Controlled variables: variables that stay
constant through the experiment
 Experimental control / Control group:
the mv that is most “normal”. The EC
acts as a baseline so that you can
compare all of your other results to it.
A Controlled Experiment
KNOW THIS!!!
A controlled experiment should have:
 Only ONE manipulated variable to
determine its impact on the RV
 Experiment with properly controlled
variables so that only the MV changes
 An experimental control to compare all of
your other results to
Testable Question
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How does changing the ____MV____
affect the ____ RV ____?
Hypothesis
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If the ____MV____ increases
then the ____ RV ____ will increase /
decrease / stay the same
because ___give your reasoning here___.
Experiment
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Materials
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Methods
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Give a detailed list of the items used
Include how much / many and sizes used
Explain each step of the process thoroughly and
clearly
Establish which mv variation will act as your
experimental control / baseline
Describe how you will keep all of the c.v.s constant
throughout the experiment
Get my initials on your paper before you
conduct the experiment!!!
Data
m.v.
variations
1 tsp. of
soap
2 tsp. of
soap
3 tsp. of
soap
4 tsp. of
soap
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Analysis
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Calculate the average diameter for each test.
 Create a graph, showing the results from your
experiment
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Put the m.v.’s on the x-axis, label & include units
Put the r.v.’s on the y-axis, label & include units
Title the graph “The effect of different
___MV___ on the ___ RV ___”
 Plot your data
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Conclusion
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Restate problem (direct or paraphrase)
Support or reject hypothesis
Make a relationship statement between the MV
and the RV… ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!
 Refer to key data (use at least two items for
comparison)
 Discuss errors (at least 2… they DO exist!!!)
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How did each error impact the results?
How could those errors be minimized in the future?
Next steps & application
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How can these findings be applied to real life?
What question would you present to be answered in a
future experiment, based on what you learned or what
sparked your interest from this investigation?