Scientific Research in

Biotechnology

5.03 – Demonstrate the use of the scientific method in the planning and development of an experimental SAE.

What is Research?

• Research is using systematic methods to answer questions

• There are two kinds of research:– basic- an inquiry that adds to the body of

knowledge about a specific issue– applied- an investigation or research that

is designed to directly solve an immediate problem

Terms

• Validity – An experiment measures what the researcher

intended it to

• Reliability– The results of an experiment can be repeated

• Treatment Group– Treated with different variations of the

independent variable

• Control Group– Group that serves as a norm and is used for

comparison (does not receive a treatment)

More Terms

• Independent Variable– Variable the researcher changes

• Example – Amount of light in photosynthesis experiment

• Dependent Variable– Variable determined by the effectiveness

of the independent variable• Example – Amount of growth in

photosynthesis experiment

Experimentation

• Experimentation is the process of conducting tests which, together, establish the validity of a hypothesis

• Basically, we are performing a test to see if our educated guess was right

Scientific Method

• Scientific Method is a series of steps used by scientists in solving problems– Identify a problem– Investigate the problem– Form a hypothesis– Design experimentation– Conduct experiment and gather data– Analyze data and form conclusions– Report the results

Identify a problem

• This may be an issue that has a direct impact on the scientist or affect a community

• Be specific and clearly define the issue

• The problem should be more than a symptom (evidence of a problem)

Investigate the problem

• Gather as much information as possible, also known as, a literature review

• keep a complete and accurate record of sources used

• assess information for accuracy and being up-to-date

• use objective (factual) information, avoid subjective (opinion) information

Form a Hypothesis

• Hypothesis is an “educated guess” or a statement that gives a solution to the problem

Design Experimentation

• Experimentation is to test the hypothesis

• Data are the items of information collected in an experiment

• In experiments, scientists use controls, constants, and variables

Design Experimentation

• Controls, Constants, and Variables– Control- the environment that is not

changed in any way– Constants- the quality that is being

controlled or kept the same– Variable- the “thing” that is changed

Design Experimentation

• Independent vs. Dependent Variables – Independent variables are changes that

the experimenter introduces as part of the experiment

– Dependent variables are the results of using independent variables

Design Experimentation

• Replication is the running of the experiment more than once to avoid chance outcomes

• Not repeating the experiment can compromise the validity of the experiment!

Conduct Experimentation and Gather Data

• Three keys to successful experimentation are safety, careful observation, and complete documentation.

Analyze the data and form conclusions

• First step is converting raw data (information that you collected) into meaningful information.

• After analyzing, interpret data– Do the results support the hypothesis?– Were there other avenues that could

have been explored?– Could things have been done better?

Logging Scientific Data

• Use a database program – Microsoft Excel

• Abilities include:– Easy input of large amounts of data in

table form– Quick manipulation of data including;

sorting, labeling, and the creation of charts/graphs

– Can handle both qualitative and quantitative data.

Report the results

• A written report is first prepared. Journal articles or oral reports at meetings may follow.

• One example of a report format is as follows:– cover and/or title page– abstract (scientific summary)– introduction (includes a statement of

the problem)

Report the Results

– Literature review– the hypothesis– description of the experiment design

and methods used– reported data and analysis– conclusions and recommendations– list of references (also known as

bibliography or literature cited)

Publishing Scientific Findings

• Word processors are usually used to prepare scientific reports

• Abilities include:– Allow quick entry and manipulation of

large amounts of text– Easy import of graphics and charts

from other programs– Ability to include hyperlinks and export

layout to html

Presenting Research Findings

• Specialized presentation program – PowerPoint

• Abilities include:– Easy display of text points (bullets),

graphics, charts, and even video– Highly visual and interactive method for

the presentation of research findings– Animation and sound can be used for

increased emphasis

Assignment

• Over the week you need to research and begin to brainstorm about some biotechnology and/or agriscience problems or project ideas you are interested in.

• Turn in the following (typed):– Identify and state the problem– State your hypothesis

Website Sources

• Biotech Applied– http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/

• Science Fair Projects– http://www.juliantrubin.com/fairprojects/

biotechnology/biotechnology.html#high

• Science Buddies– http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/

areas_of_science.shtml

• Sources for Project Ideas– http://cpl.lib.uic.edu/008subject/009scitech/

scifideas.html