bio - scientific method

• science is the study of the physical, material and living world
• biology is the study of living things
• scientific method 


  an organised approach in which a problem is identified and its explanation is tested by a controlled experiment
• steps for scientific method


  observation, hypothesis, experimentation, conclusion, report and publish results
• if hypothesis is proven correct what is carried out


  theory, principle and law
• observation


  when something is noticed using senses
• hypothesis


  an educated guess based on observations
• experimentation 


  used to test hypothesis
• experiment must be fair and unbiased
• how to ensure an experiment to be fair and unbiased 


  a control, one variable, safe procedure, large sample size, random selection, double blind testing and replicates
• after experimentation what is next step 


  collect and interpret data
• how to collect and interpret data


  graph, table, bar chart
• conclusion


  explanation of results and hypothesis confirmed or not
• after conclusion what is next step 


  compare conclusion with existing knowledge
• where do you report and publish results 


  scientific journal
• theory


  a hypothesis that has been supported by many experiments
• principle


  a theory that has proven to be valid when tested over a long time
• law 


  a principle that is believed to be true
• variable 


  the factor that can change in experiment
• experiment 


  series of steps used to test hypothesis
• control 


  used to provide comparison. a sample that is lacking the variable under investigation.
• what does a control ensure


  that it is the variable that actually caused observed change
• control group may be given a placebo
• replicates 


  when an experiment is repeated (to test accuracy of results)
• data 


  consists of measurements and info gathered from experiments
• two ways of data analysis

  quantitative and qualitative
• which data analysis is more accurate 


  quantitative
• quantitative analysis


  analysing info using quantities, numbers eg 3cm growth
• qualitative analysis

  analysing info using senses eg colour change
• large sample size 


  if sample is too small results will be inaccurate
• random selection 


  to prevent bias or unfairness
• publications of results in scientific journal

  for peer review and adds to existing or spread knowledge
• placebo


  a harmless drug that is given to patients in control group in investigation of a certain drug. it is identical in appearance to real drug
• double blind testing

  both patient (sample) and investigator are unaware (blind) of who is receiving real or placebo
• double blind testing avoids bias