Lecture 3 Scientific Method

The word science is derived from a latin verb “to know”. It is an objective, logical, and repeatable attempt to understand the principals and fores operating in the natural universe.

Inquiry, a search for information and explanation, focusing on specific questions.

Inquiry, a search for information and explanation, often focusing on specific questions.

No, it is an ongoing process of testing and evaluation.

They attempt to understand how natural phenomena work using a process of inquiry that includes making observations, forming logical hypotheses, and testing them.

The process is repetitive. In testing a hypothesis, more observations may force formation of a new hypothesis or revision of the original one, and further testing. Make observations, think of interesting questions, formulate hypotheses, develop testable predictions, gather data to test predictions, refine/alter/expand/reject hypotheses or develop general theories. Then re-start.

The use of the senses to gather information, either directly or indirectly with the help of tools, such as microscopes, that extend our sense.

Recorded observations.

Recorded as measurements. Numerical data divided in two types: discrete (counting) and continuous (measurement)

In the form of recorded descriptions rather than numerical measurements. 1) Descriptive data based on observations 2) Involves 5 senses

Making conclusions by collecting and analyzing observations. Generalizations are derived from a large number of specific observations through it.

Making observations, deriving pattern, form a hypothesis, make a theory.

Observations and inductive reasoning stimulate us to seek natural causes and explanations for those observations. Inquiry leads us to form hypotheses through the proposing and testing of hypothetical explanations.

1) Observations: come from phenomenon that scientist wants to explain. (from own experiences/experiments, thoughts or reading results of others) 2) Think of interesting questions (Why does that pattern occur) 3) Formulate a hypothesis: statement that can be tested (what are the general causes of the phenomenon) 4) Develop testable predictions based on hypothesis (expect events to happen if hypothesis is correct) 5) Test predictions: gather data to test predictions (data can come from literature, new observations or formal experiments. Replication needed to verify results) A) Plan experiments (include controls) B) Perform experiments. C) Collect new data and analyze 6) Analyze results, do they fail or support hypothesis. 7)Draw conclusions: A) Make a theory (if hypothesis not falsified. Theories must be consistent with available data and with other current theories) B) Refine, alter, expand or reject hypothesis if hypothesis falsified.

Hypothesis testing is about explaining the nature. Hypothesis based research is interested in what causes the phenomena to occur. Makes predictions that can be tested by recording additional observations or by designing experiments.

Tentative answer to a well-framed question. Explanation on trial, usually an educated guess. It is based on past experience and available data of discovery science.

1) Hypothesis must be testable, must be some way to check the validity of the idea. 2)Hypothesis must be falsifiable, must be some observation or experiment that could reveal if such an idea is actually not true.

No, it is impossible to exhaust the testing of all alternative hypotheses, therefore, it can only be failed or supported.

From general premises, we extrapolate to the specific results we should expect if the premises are true. It is generally used after the hypothesis has been developed and involves logic that flows the opposite direction. Theory, to hypothesis, to observation, to confirmation. Takes the form of “If….then” logic.

Deductions take the form of predictions (when using hypothesis in scientific process) of experimental or observational results that will be found if a particular hypothesis (premise) is correct. We then test the hypothesis by carrying out the experiments or observations to see whether or not the results are as predicted.

It represents an idealized process of inquiry. Elements of this process can be seen in research articles published by scientists, but rarely in such structured form.

Scientist may start to design an experiment, but then backtrack because more preliminary questions are necessary. Puzzling observations don’t provoke well-defined questions until research places those observations in a new context related to those observations.

Testing ideas by gathering and interpreting data. Most fundamental aspect of science and it is the reason that science does a reliable job of explaining natural phenomenas.

1) Exploration and discovery: Inspire and nurture original questions, new hypotheses and good study designs. 2) Community analysis and feedback: Play an important role in testing. 3) Social benefits and outcomes: Science is interwoven with the fabric of society, a societal need like understanding the process of climate change (leads to studies and hypotheses)