Scientific Method

Steps in the Scientific Method

Observation Hypothesis Experiment Data Collection Conclusion Retest

Observations
Gathered through your senses A scientist notices something in their natural world

Observations

An example of an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails

Hypothesis

A suggested solution to the problem. Must be testable

Sometimes written as IfThen statements Predicts an outcome

Hypothesis

An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

Experiment
A procedure to test the hypothesis.

Experiment
Variable factor in the experiment that is being tested

Experiment
A good or valid experiment will only have ONE variable!

Controls and Variables

Scientific Experiments Follow Rules

An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens.

The Control Variable

The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant, so that they will not effect the outcome. Those factors are called control variables.

What is the Purpose of a Control?

Controls are NOT being tested

Controls are used for COMPARISON

Other Variables

The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable. The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

Example of Controls & Variables

For example: suppose you want to determine the fastest route to walk home from school. You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each route. Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

What are the Variables in Your Experiment?

Varying the route is the independent variable. The time it takes for the route is the dependent variable. Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control variable.

One more thing it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

Valid Experiments

Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:

Two groups are required --- the control & experimental groups There should be only one variable

Data

Results of the experiment May be:

Quantitative (numbers) or Qualitative (descriptive)

Data

Must be organized Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

Conclusion

The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

Retest

In order to verify the results, experiments must be retested.

Review

Solving a Problem

1) Identify a Problem 2) State Observations about the problem 3) Form a Hypothesis about the problem (ifthen) 4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis 5) Collect Data 6) Form a Conclusion 7) Retest

ALLOMETRIC GROWTH (from the Greek allo meaning "different" and metr meaning measure) Different cell lines/body parts can grow at different rates (relative to an isometrically growing form) during development from juvenile to adult in various species. Are humans a good example of a species that undergoes allometric growth or are we more isometric? Do the head, limbs, and body grow at different rates, resulting in a human adult with proportions completely different from those of the newborn baby?

The Experiment

Compare the ratios of two body parts in newborns (data provided in Table 1.1, page 10) and students.

Describe how you will measure each selected body part for each team member. See Table 1.1 for suggested methods.
Include data collection and analysis.

We will measure in inches (in)? Need to be consistent with our measurements, so we can compare data.

Data Collection Example

Choose two body parts and measure the selected body parts for each team member. We will all use height.

Determine the height of each team member and their head circumference (Tables 1-3).
Divide the height of the individual by the head circumference. This determines the height to body part ratio (H/BP). Analyze data in a table (collectively) and graph to create Figure 1.

Data Collection Example

Table 1.
Height to
Subject

Ratio for Students and Newborns

Height (in) Head circumference (in) H/BP Ratio

Team member 1

Team member 2

Team member 3

Team member 4

Newborns

Results

1. 2. 3. 4.

5.

6.

Record results for each team member in Table 1.2a. Calculate the H/BP ratios for each. Record data for newborns from Table 1.1 (page 10). Follow the same procedure for the second H/BP chosen and record the data. Each student will enter their H/BP ratios results on the overhead transparency Copy the combined results for the class for the two comparisons of H/BP ratios on Table 1.3 (provided).

Discussion
(Interpreting and communicating results)
Last component of a scientific investigation is to interpret the results and discuss their implications in light of the hypothesis and any supporting literature. Study the results (tables and graphs) and determine if the hypothesis was supported or falsified. If falsified, suggest alternative hypotheses for testing. If hypothesis is supported by the data, then suggest additional experiments to extend the work. Critique your experiment. What weaknesses did you see in the experiment(s)? Suggest improvements.

1.

2.

3. 4.

5.

Take Home Assignment

(Both due at the beginning of next weeks lab)

1.

Write (typewritten) abbreviated lab report containing:

Title page 2. Results [table(s) and/or graph(s)] Careful with grammar and spelling. See documents posted on Bb as well as Appendix A of the lab manual Scientific Writing and Communication (pages 767-779) for formatting lab report.
1.

2.

Answer questions 1a - 1i (Questions for Review Your Knowledge section) on page 19 of the lab manual (on a separate sheet of paper). Turn in separately from the lab report.