Scientific Methods - Application of Biology - Lecture Notes, Study notes of Biology

Download Scientific Methods - Application of Biology - Lecture Notes and more Study notes Biology in PDF only on Docsity! The Methods of Biology Scientific Methods- Methods scientists use to gather information and answer questions 1. Make an Observation: leads to scientific investigation 2. Form a Hypothesis: an explanation for a question or problem that can be formally tested 3. Experiment: scientists use these to collect information (DATA) under CONTROLLED conditions o This means they keep everything except the variable being tested CONSTANT o There are two types of groups in an experiment:  Control Group- the group where nothing is really tested; they are used as a reference  Experimental Group(s)- the groups that the test is being performed on; all conditions except one are kept the same o There are two variables in an experimental group:  Independent Variable- this is the condition being changed by the experimenter; this Docsity.com variable affects the outcome of the experiment  Dependent Variable- the result of the change in the independent variable Scientists use a wide variety of tools and instruments to do research o Ex: microscopes, test tubes, etc. Safety symbols on chemicals and other equipment are used to maintain lab safety 4. Data Gathering: scientists collect information (DATA) from experiments this data is analyzed and arranged to draw some sort of conclusion scientists use the International System of Measurement (SI) to report measurements Grams are used to measure mass Meters are used to measure distance Liters are used to measure volume Seconds are used to measure time Celsius degrees are used to measure temperature 5. Analyzing and Reporting Data: scientists analyze and report data using tables and graphs. The independent variable is always placed on the X axis (across the bottom) Docsity.com