The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method
WordsWords
ScienceScience HypothesisHypothesis VariableVariable ControlControl Dependent variableDependent variable Independent variableIndependent variable
ScienceScience
The attempt to discover order in The attempt to discover order in nature and use that information to nature and use that information to make predictions about what may make predictions about what may happen in the future happen in the future
The Shewhart Cycle The Shewhart Cycle or the or the
PDCA CyclePDCA Cycle
The Shewhart Cycle The Shewhart Cycle or the or the
PDCA CyclePDCA Cycle
Experimental Group Experimental Group Vs. Vs.
Control GroupControl Group
Factors Factors
Experimental GroupControl Group
Variable
Experimental Group Experimental Group Vs. Vs.
Control GroupControl Group
Seeds+
Sunlight
Seeds+
Sunlight
Experimental GroupControl Group
Water
Experimental Group Experimental Group Vs. Vs.
Control GroupControl Group
Student+
Study
Student+
Study
Experimental GroupControl Group
Breakfast
Experimental Group Experimental Group Vs. Vs.
Control GroupControl Group
Worker+
Parts
Worker+
Parts
Experimental GroupControl Group
No Sleep
A ProblemA Problem
OoGlumpOoGlump© © is a material used to stick is a material used to stick toilet paper to the roll (OoGlump toilet paper to the roll (OoGlump does not really exist). The factory does not really exist). The factory that makes OoGlump has had that makes OoGlump has had problems hiring new workers, so the problems hiring new workers, so the existing workers must work lots of existing workers must work lots of overtime. overtime.
OoGlumpOoGlump©© Output OutputOoGlump Output per Week
300
400
500
600
700
800
1 3 5 7 9
Week Number(Weeks of Losing Sleep)
Hundre
d G
allo
ns
of
OoG
lum
p M
ade
What is your hypothesis?What would you need to see to prove it?
Is There Uncertainty and Is There Uncertainty and Bias in Science?Bias in Science?
ThalidomideThalidomide
Time: 1960Time: 1960 Name: Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey Name: Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey Employed By: U.S. Food and Drug Employed By: U.S. Food and Drug
AdministrationAdministration First Assignment: ThalidomideFirst Assignment: Thalidomide Problem: Insufficient information Problem: Insufficient information
to suit her. It has to suit her. It has been used in Europe been used in Europe for years! for years!
ThalidomideThalidomide
Resolution: Dr. Oldham Kelsey saved Resolution: Dr. Oldham Kelsey saved thousands of lives from deformity or thousands of lives from deformity or death almost single-handedly. She death almost single-handedly. She was recognized by President was recognized by President Kennedy in 1962. Kennedy in 1962.
What Do You See?What Do You See?
Figure 1
What Do You See?What Do You See?
Figure 2
Try This!Try This!
Figure 4
Say the COLOR of the word, not the word itself!
Uncertainty and BiasUncertainty and Bias
Why does it exist?Why does it exist? People see things differentlyPeople see things differently
Other Influences: Other Influences: Upbringing – Example - ThorUpbringing – Example - Thor Beliefs – Example – “aliens behind the Beliefs – Example – “aliens behind the
comet”comet” ““Your Baby” – Example - OwnershipYour Baby” – Example - Ownership