Definition: Biology is the study of living things
- Ecology
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Observation: taking in of information received about the natural world
- Hypothesis: an educated guess/idea based on an observation
- Experimentation: an experiment is a test designed to prove/disprove a hypothesis
- Collection of data: data are results obtained after carrying out an experiment
- Conclusions: explaining the results
- Analysis: explaining new knowledge in relation to existing knowledge
- Reporting and publishing results: describing and releasing results to other scientists and the public
- Development of theory and principle: a theory is a hypothesis supported by numerous experiments; a law is a definite, factual explanation of an important aspect of nature
Principles of Experimentation:
- Careful planning and design
- Safety e.g. wearing gloves and lab coat
- Experimental control: a control is a factor in an experiment that provides a standard upon which results may be compared
- Sample size: larger sample size gives a better representation in the results
- Random selection: e.g. clinical trials must include younger people as well as older
- Replicates: a replicate is a repeat of an experiment
- Double-blind testing: neither doctor nor patient knows whether an active drug has been given
- Ethics: conducting experiments honestly and being aware of the importance of right from wrong conduct in science
Limitations of the Scientific Method:
- Extent of our basic knowledge: lack of knowledge leads to inadequate hypotheses
- Basis of investigation: lack of technology/materials/equipment
- Interpretation of results: scientists may interpret results differently
- Application to a changing natural world: information obtained from organisms in the past may not be valid today – they may have to be repeated
- Accidental discovery: experiments may have gone completely “wrong” – i.e. “we did not get the desired result” or “we made an error in preparation and an unexpected result is obtained”; e.g. discovery of penicillin
