Dr. Biodiversity Eye Test

What did you see?

Scientific Method

Method of problem solving

Observations Questions Hypotheses

OR

Questions Observations Hypotheses

OR

Questions Hypotheses Observations

Basic Steps to the Scientific Method

• 1. Make Observation or State a Problem/Question

• 2. Formulate a Hypothesis-

testable explanation for an observation

predict what will occur and why

• 3. Testing the hypothesis

- only further observations required

- experimentation is required

Controlled Experiment

• Isolates and tests the effects of a single factor or experimental variable

• Two identical groups:

1. Control group

2. Experimental group

• Has the scientific method changed over time?

PRE-LAB:Interpreting a Controlled

Experiment

• What is a seed?

• What do seeds need to germinate?

• Which factor is being investigated in this lab?

• Are there any other variables involved in the lab that could affect the outcome?

What kind of data is going to be collected from the Mustard Seed

Lab?

• Quantitative Data

• Descriptive Data

• How can quantitative data be illustrated?

4. Recording and Analyzing Data

• Display data in:

a. data table

b. line graph

c. bar graph

d. pie chart

Line Graph

• Shows relationship between two variables

• Allows you to estimate values

• X-axis: independent variable

• Y-axis: dependent variable

The Effect of Fertilizer on Plant Growth

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10

Week1

Week2

Week3

Week4

Time

Cen

tim

eter

s

Plant 1

Plant 2

Bar Graph

• Used to show comparisons

• X-axis either:

1. Scale

2. Labels

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10

Inches

Jan Feb March April

Month

Comparision of Rainfall Over Four Month Period

Rainfall

Pie Chart

• Topic represented by entire “pie”

• “slices” individual categories

Students Sport Preferences

30%

20%

40%

10%

BasketballSwimmingSoccerBaseball

Data Tables• Displays data• Title- should reflect

information in table

Setup Dish I Dish II

Control 0 21

Experimental 2 44

Number of seeds that germinated

General Graphing Procedures

• ALWAYS PENCIL

• Title and Key, if needed

• Correct scale

• Equal spacing between units

• Neat

Forming A Conclusion

• Either accept or refute hypothesis

• Inconclusive results

• Rise of new hypotheses

• Reproducibility- verification

• Theory- tested and reconfirmed countless times; unlikely to be disproved