2. What is Science?
“Science” derived from Latin ‘to know’
Way of asking and answering questions
Seeking answers to questions about
natural phenomena (we are therefore
limited to what kinds of questions we ask)
Scientific thinking reduces emotional
reactions
3. Forms of Scientific Inquiry
Discovery or Descriptive Science
– Observation
– Qualitative vs. Quantitative data
4. Types of Logic
Inductive Reasoning
– Derive generalizations based on specific
observations
5. Types of Logic
Inductive Reasoning
– Derive generalizations based on specific
observations
Deductive Reasoning
- Specific predictions follow from general
premise
6. Forms of Scientific Inquiry
Discovery or Descriptive Science
– Observation
– Qualitative vs. Quantitative data
Hypothesis-Based Science
7. Scientific Design
Scientific knowledge begins with an
observation and a proposed explanation.
Explanation called a hypothesis
A hypothesis is testable and falsifiable
In science hypotheses are tested by using
them to make predictions about how a
particular system will behave
8.
9. Theories and Natural Laws
Theory: a description of the world that
covers a relatively large number of
phenomena and has met many
observational and experimental tests
Law of Nature: theory (or group of
theories) that has been tested extensively
and seems to apply everywhere in the
universe-they become part of the
conceptual framework of a particular field
10. Scientific Method in Action
We use the scientific method in everyday
life
Example:
You got in your car to drive up here and
turned the key but the car wouldn’t start
(observation)
11. Scientific Method in Action
Example:
You got in your car to drive up here and
turned the key but the car wouldn’t start
(observation)
Hypothesis: There is something wrong with
the car
12. Scientific Method in Action
Example:
You got in your car to drive up here and
turned the key but the car wouldn’t start
(observation)
Hypothesis: There is something wrong with
the car
Predictions: battery dead, ignition problem,
out of gas
13. Scientific Method in Action
Testpredictions: turn on headlights, check
spark plug wires, dip stick in gas tank
14. Scientific Method in Action
Test predictions: turn on headlights, check
spark plug wires, dip stick in gas tank
Analyze results: headlights work, strong
ignition spark, no gas on dip stick-gas
gauge reads half full
15. Scientific Method in Action
Test predictions: turn on headlights, check
spark plug wires, dip stick in gas tank
Analyze results: headlights work, strong
ignition spark, no gas on dip stick-gas
gauge reads half full
Draw conclusion: gauge inaccurate, out of
gas
16. Important terms:
Independent (manipulated) variable: condition or
event under study (choose 1) .Graphing-x axis
Dependent (responding) variable: condition that
could change under the influence of the
independent variable (measure this). Y-axis
Controlled variables: conditions which could
effect the outcome of the experiment so they
must be held constant between groups.
17. experimental group: group(s) subjected
to the independent variable
control group: group not subjected to the
independent variable, used as measuring
stick
reproducibility: producing the same result
consistently to verify result. It is therefore
important to describe your experimental
design in enough detail for others to
perform the same experiment.
18. Example
Hyp: King’s collar repels fleas
Pred: Dogs wearing King’s collar will have
fewer fleas than those without collar
IV:
DV:
CV’s: