IS

Scientific Method

The Steps:

  1. Make observations

  2. Develop a question

  3. Formulate a hypothesis

  4. Conduct a controlled experiment

  5. Draw Conclusions

  6. Share Results

Two Scientific Approaches:

Hypothesis-based - Manipulate and see what happened (run an experiment). Explanatory variable- cause (what is being manipulated ) Response variable- Effect

Control and Treatment Group - The control group is an unchanged situation. The treatment group is the changed situation.

  • Experiments must have both groups.

  • Can have more than one treatment group.

Descriptive-based- Observe and record (doesn’t alter what occurs)

Data approaches: Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Quantitative (objective) - continuous numbers, only numbers.

Qualitative (subjective) - Words/ descriptions, categories.

Bias: can be reduced

  • Single-blind - The patient does NOT know what treatment they received, but the doctor does.

  • Double-blind - Both the patient and doctor do NOT know which is the placebo (fake) or real drug.

Sample size: Number of replicates in the study/experiment. More is better.

Can science prove things? NO. We only “support” or “fail to support” a hypothesis.

Fact vs Hypothesis vs Theory

Fact: An observation. Ex- the sky is blue

Hypothesis: Proposed explanation for an observation. Must be testable.

Theory: Explains a great many observations. Supported by evidence.

Scientific Theories

  • Universal Gravitational Theory

  • Evolution by Natural Selection

  • Earthquakes from Plate Tectonics

  • Climate change Buildup of Greenhouse Gasses

Scientific Paper

How to read them:

  1. Title and authors

  2. Abstract- summary of the whole paper.

  3. Intro- background information on the study. Hypothesis and predictions.

  4. Methods- details of how the study/experiment was set up.

  5. Results- data, tables/graphs

  6. Discussion- Conclusion

  7. References- other’s research

Science vs Fraud vs Pseudoscience

Science: the pursuit of knowledge using the scientific method

Fraud: Deliberate lies

Pseudoscience: the belief or practice not based on science or fact.

Science:

  • Changes with new evidence

  • Follows evidence

  • Embraces criticism 

Pseudoscience:

  • Fixed and unyielding ideas

  • Starts with conclusion

  • Hostile towards criticism

Graphs

Requirements: Title, labels, consistent axis increments, data types (quantitative or quantitative).

Bar Graph:

  • Comparing different groups

  • Starts y-axis at 0

  • Compares absolute value

Line Graph:

  • Comparing change (time)

  • Doesn’t always need a y-axis at 0

  • Time often on the x-axis

Pie Graph:

  • Comparing parts of a whole

  • Wedges need to represent the percentage