Week 1 Pt 1 plant science (The Scientific process)

Science (noun)

A body of knowledge.

Science (verb)

The act or doing of the scientific process.

Basic steps of the Traditional Scientific Method

1.) Observation 2.) Question 3.) Hypothesis 4.) Experiment 5.) Analysis 6.) Conclusion

Updated scientific process

1.) Exploration/discovery 2.) Testing Ideas aka 'the heart of the scientific process' 3.) Community Analysis & Feedback 4.) Benefits & Outcomes

Components of exploration/discovery

Make observation, Ask a question, Share data and ideas, Find inspiration, Explore literature

Types of scientific observation

1.) Observation based on what you are seeing in the world around you 2.) Observation based on data in the previous body of knowledge/work in the field.

The heart of the scientific process

Testing ideas!

Components of 'Testing ideas' in science

1.) Gathering Data 2.) Interpreting data

Components of Gathering data

Hypothesis, Expected results/observations, Actual results/observations

Components of interpreting data

Supportive or contradictory data may... Support hypothesis, Oppose hypothesis, Inspire revised/new hypothesis, Inspire revised assumptions

Components of community analysis & feedback

Feedback & peer review, Replication, Discussion w colleagues, Publication, Coming up w/ new questions & ideas, Theory building

Peer review

When 3 anonymous experts review and critique your data and ideas.

Question

A question is a general inquiry. Asking a question to understand an observed phenomenon.

Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a testable idea, it can be proven wrong or right. It is based on a proposed mechanism.

Mechanism

A mechanism is the independent variable used in the experiment AKA the thing you think will create the intended outcome.

Prediction

A prediction is an 'if___, then____' statement about expected results, expected results are based on hypothesis.

Phenomenon

A phenomenon is a behavior or thing you observe that is unexplained by any current science.

Basic Science

Basic science aims to answer fundamental questions about biology.

Applied Science

Applied science uses information from basic science to solve real world problems.

Scientific Theory

Scientific theory is an explanation of natural phenomenon supported by extensive evidence.

Scientific Law

Scientific Law is a concise statement describing consistent observation in nature.

Independent Variable

The independent variable is manipulated or changed to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The dependent variable is measured in an experiment to see if it is influenced by the independent variable.

Controlled Variable

The Controlled variable is the factor(s) kept constant to ensure the treatment's effect can be accurately measured.

Confound Variable

Variables that may affect both the independent and dependent variable in the experiment.

Treatment

Treatment is the intervention or condition being tested.

Control Group

The Control Group is a group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment, it is used as a point of reference.

Placebo

A Substance or treatment with no therapeutic effect used as a control in testing new drugs.

Treatment Group

The treatment group in an experiment is simply the group that receives treatment.

Example of Mechanism

I.e. you observe the phenomenon of a plant under red lighting growing faster than usual. The mechanism would then be the red light.

Example of Scientific Theory

i.e. theory of evolution, germ theory, plate tectonic theory.

Example of Scientific Law

i.e. Newton's law of gravity, laws of thermodynamics and Hook's law.

Example of Independent Variable

In an experiment involving plants the independent variable could be the presence of fertilizer.

Example of Dependent Variable

The dependent variable in an experiment involving plants would be the plant height.

Example of Controlled Variables

In an experiment involving plants, controlled variables would include the humidity, temperature and lighting the plants are exposed to.